US/ND-5: Sample Telecom Project requiring rate change
Sample Telecom Project requiring rate change
EricElert@aol.com
Mon, 23 Sep 1996 10:21:51 -0400
As Exec. Dir. for Technology Planning and Research for a large (for) Illinois
school district, we teamed up with IBM, Ameritech, Prodigy, and others in a
project called "Project Homeroom". IBM provided a computer to every student
in one of our 5th and one of our 7th grade classes; Ameritech provided a
phone line and modem, as well as the Ameritech Foundation provided the
funding for a local university to perform the research; and Prodigy provided
free software and access to their sytem...all for two years. Other companies
provided misc. communication components.
The intent was to determine the impact of computers at home. The project
nearly died on the concept vine, because we were unable initially to obtain
special tarrif rates from the PUC in Illinois that would allow Ameritech to
install and provide a phone line at no charge. Through the efforts of many
people, the objections were met, and the project proceeded to deliver
excellent information on how the extended families of our students
significantly gained from the experience, in addition to the intended student
benefits.
It seemed that more energies went into getting through the red tape of
tarrifs than went into program design at the outset. This is not how
competitive markets behave. I should add that there were heartwarming
stories of "financially challenged" families joining together to find ways to
be a part of the program as they recognized the benefits of improved
communication and technology skills.
Eric Willard
Elert & Associates
972.390.7000