US/ND-3: [Fwd: BELLSOUTH TO PROVIDE INTERNET ACCESS IN SCHOOLS]
[Fwd: BELLSOUTH TO PROVIDE INTERNET ACCESS IN SCHOOLS]
Marty Tennant (marty@sccoast.net)
Mon, 09 Sep 1996 21:27:34 -0700
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I'm not sure what to make of this.
It is obviously something schools need - and
so does BellSouth.
What I start thinking about is the buying
of business. Is it investing, or purchasing?
How long do the services "given" away last?
After that, is there a commitment?
How many people would be so ungrateful as to
do what many people do in the long distance
area? Cash the $100 check from AT&T and
then go to someone else - or in this case
the Internet equivalent.
I'm sorry I'm so cynical about this, but the
size of BellSouth that lets them do this is
a powerful tool that can be use for long term
good, or bad.
What does the group think?
Marty Tennant
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Date: Mon, 9 Sep 1996 15:45:10 -0400 (EDT)
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Subject: BELLSOUTH TO PROVIDE INTERNET ACCESS IN SCHOOLS
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BellSouth ....................................... September 9, 1996
BELLSOUTH TO PROVIDE INTERNET ACCESS IN SCHOOLS
NetDay Gets Largest Private Technology Offering
Worldwide telecommunications leader BellSouth announced today an
unprecedented education commitment to provide Internet access and
training to 4,000 schools throughout the Southeast. The company made
the announcement in conjunction with NetDay, a national grassroots
initiative.
BellSouth will provide to the schools a complete package that addresses
every requirement for offering service--from school infrastructure, to
technology, to curriculum, to teacher training. The program--which is
being made to schools across the company's nine-state operating
region--will provide inside wiring kits with volunteer support for
installation, equipment, staff, Internet accounts and training videos
for the nation's first turn-key multi-state NetDay solution.
With Internet access, students can tap invaluable up-to-the-minute
information and communication from libraries, peers and experts from
around the world. BellSouth is one partner along with thousands of
employees, parents administrators, teachers and students coming
together to execute the NetDay project. NetDay is a national volunteer
initiative to achieve a wiring plan allowing schools to take advantage
of technology.
"The technological links that are being forged on the information
superhighway are creating unsurpassed learning opportunities and a
means of ensuring equitable and affordable access to knowledge and a
lifetime of learning," said U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley.
"I am pleased that BellSouth is demonstrating leadership and a strong
commitment to students, schools and communities by helping to make sure
that every child is part of this new education era."
BellSouth's NetDay commitment will touch two million students and
172,000 educators across the region. The offering includes $25 million
worth of free BellSouth services, $600,000 in BellSouth Foundation
support and 5,400 employee volunteers. Specifically, BellSouth will
provide: inside wiring kits and volunteer installation, free Internet
accounts for classrooms, media centers and teacher's homes. BellSouth
Foundation will offer small grants to schools to support other
educational materials or training that will improve instructional
effectiveness.
"Today's telecommunications technology brings new resources into the
classroom. It links learners together in new ways. It supports
teachers. It brings the community to the school and the school to the
community," said Linda Roberts, director of the office of educational
technology and special advisor to the secretary of the U.S. Department
of Education.
Teachers have an excellent resource in the Internet in that they can
obtain current information from global experts and resources, and can
even share notes with peers on successful teaching methods for use in
lesson planning. "The Internet as a teaching tool was unthinkable a
decade ago -- and at long last, it is reality and in our own
classrooms. The opportunities it provides us are infinite, but we
excitedly are taking on the challenge of exploring all its
offerings," said Dr. Adelia Hall, principal of metro Atlanta
Mary Lin Elementary School. With access to the Internet, a fifth-grade
student studying weather in science class can examine current weather
maps and patterns on-line, and even communicate with other
fifth-graders around the world to compare their climates.
"BellSouth's commitment to improving the depth of education in our
schools is a priority. This commitment reflects a strong belief that
business and education are part of a mutually beneficial system," said
John Clendenin, chairman and CEO of BellSouth. "BellSouth's NetDay is
an opportunity for our community to join together to make a better
environment for the children, teachers and parents of our nine-state
region. By concentrating substantial amounts of technology in a school,
over a full year, we believe we'll see positive results in students'
achievements."
BellSouth is a $17.9 billion communications service company providing
telecommunications, wireless communication, directory advertising and
publishing, and information services to more than 25 million customers
throughout the United States and 17 foreign countries. For more
information, visit BellSouth's Web site at http://www.BellSouth.com.
BellSouth Foundation is an endowed trust of BellSouth Corporation. Its
mission is to improve education in the South by stimulating fundamental
change in primary and secondary education that will result in active
learning and improved outcomes for all students. Since the foundation
was created in 1986, it has awarded over $25 million in grants
throughout nine southeastern states.
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