US:PA-1: Assign #1

Assign #1

dahs (dahs@admin.alltel.net)
Thu, 18 Sep 1997 07:38:48 -0700 

1)  What are the one or two most pressing needs of your PA school or
library for the implementation of effective and sustainable
telecommunications programs? 

Obviously telecommunications can not occur without the proper equipment
and connections to network, internet, etc.  But as a classroom teacher,
I see many teachers shy away from computer use because of their lack of
knowledge of equipment usage.  Eventhough more and more teachers are
using computers, many are still hesitant to even turn one on.  For this
reason, I feel that training programs should be available for all staff
and equipment and connections need to be provided. 

2)  How do the needs of schools and libraries differ, and how are they
complementary? 

Accessing information both current and historical is an important part
of the libraries responsibilities.  They need to have information
available at all times.  Schools also need this information but in
addition they need to be able to communicate through
telecommunications.  In a culture class, they should be able to
communicate with another culture class anywhere in the United States or
even another country.  A verbal skills class should be able to write
news articles and have them critiqued by a professional news writer. 
Music students should be able to compose songs and have them critiqued
by a professional composer in Germany or some other country.  This would
be a true effective use of telecommunications.  Education would not only
be an outcome of the teachers' knowledge of the subject matter, but also
from the many resources that are available through telecommunications. 

3)  How do the needs of rural schools and libraries differ from those of
schools and libraries in urban areas? 

I think the needs are similar except for the cultural differences. 
Money, however, always seems to be a factor.  There needs to be equity
in what is available to all students regardless of where they go to
school. That is something that has been a problem for many years.