US/ND-3: Re: Welcome to Week Three of the On-line Seminar
Re: Welcome to Week Three of the On-line Seminar
Margaret Honey (mhoney@tristram.edc.org)
Thu, 12 Sep 1996 06:25:32 -0400
Greetings -
I'm joining this discussion a bit late, although I've been following
quietly for the past couple of weeks. Like others, I'm glad Bob is making
this possible and doing such a fine job of moderating. Here are some
thoughts on the questions that were posted for the week three discussion:
* Should there be cash grants or vouchers?
I agree with Paul who said that rebates should go to the service providers.
I think schools and libraries should be eligible for discounted services
without having to engage in the hassles of obtaining grants, rebates,
vouchers, etc. There's enough bureaucracy already in place!
> * Should there be an "E-rate" for schools and libraries?
Yes, absolutely. For schools I would tie eligibility for the E-rate into
percentages of students receiving free or reduced price lunch.
> * Should there be a requirement for state-approved
> technology plans?
I read Paul's posting where he said:
> NO! In a perfect world I suppose it would be nice. But after
> more than 30 years in public education I know how such plans are
> developed (and not followed) and how they are "approved". Such a
> requirement would provide one more large obstacle to getting
> students on-line and would cost additional unwarranted expense.
and I am sympathetic to his concerns. However, it's also the case that
schools need to make a commitment to using technologies with intelligence
and that school boards and district personnel should be behind such
efforts. If you don't have system-wide commitment to the use and
deployment of technology than technology efforts are not likely to be
sustained and supported over time. Creating a technology plan can become a
very powerful way for a school community (teachers, parents, administrators
and students) to educate themselves on the effective use of technologies.
I would also like to add that some means of accountability is important. I
feel strongly that schools should be asked to develop technology plans and
that states should be responsible for issuing intelligent criteria to guide
the production of such plans.
> * How should one define a bona fide request for services?
I'm not exactly sure what this question means -- so perhaps someone could
clarify.
> * Should Universal Service subsidies apply to groups
> which provide materials and services to schools
> and libraries as well as to the schools and
> libraries themselves?
No, I don't think so. Even though many of these organizations are
not-for-profits, they have the ability to raise revenue that can support
the development of their own technological infrastructures. Our priority
should be connecting schools and public libraries to ensure community
access to networking resources.
I look forward to hearing more --
Margaret Honey
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Margaret Honey
Associate Director
EDC/Center for Children and Technology
96 Morton Street
New York, NY 10014
212/807-4209 (voice)
212/633-8804 (fax)
mhoney@tristram.edc.org
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