Connect Ohio supports broadband projects that bring economic growth to communities across Ohio. According to their website, “Connect Ohio is currently implementing a statewide broadband training program, Every Citizen Online (ECO), in order to increase sustainable broadband adoption in Ohio. The project provides free computer training sessions at public libraries and community colleges throughout Ohio and will introduce new users how to access the internet and how to best utilize all the internet has to offer.
“The goal of the project is to showcase the many educational, healthcare, economic, and communication benefits of broadband use, and to encourage adoption by residents statewide. Currently, just 66% of Ohioans subscribe to a broadband service at their home.”
One of these educational initiatives is to turn school snow days into virtual learning days. Here is a story about how one school district is dealing with winter:
Ohio school district makes snow days into virtual learning days
Making up school calamity days can often be a struggle for school districts. One Ohio school district is piloting an innovative program to ensure students continue their education from home while the district shortens their number of calamity days.
Mississinawa Valley Local School District in Darke County has been granted a waiver from the Ohio Department of Education to provide education online during two calamity days, after their state-issued three are used.
“Mississinawa Schools approached us with a complete proposal. They compiled all of the research and knew how many of their students had access to Internet in their homes,” said Scott Blake, Press Secretary with the Ohio Department of Education.
The school district conducted an informal survey, finding 75% of their students had Internet in their home and 89% had access through a neighbor, friend or relative. The district also held informational meetings for parents.
“We’ve received very positive feedback. Parents say they are glad their children will have something to do during days off school,” said Lisa Wendel, Mississinawa Valley Local School District Superintendent.
The few concerns about the program are whether households with dial-up connections or multiple school-aged children will have any difficulty utilizing online courses. Wendel says students will have two weeks to complete the online lessons if they are unable to do so during the day off school.
The program also allows for classroom innovations. ”This project provides 100% of the staff a reason for extending instruction beyond the walls of their classroom,” Wendel said. “There is an untapped potential of technology that can extend and enhance face to face instruction”.
The University of Dayton is researching the implementation of the program. Their research will assist the Ohio Department of Education’s review of the program’s success. Wendel, as well as the Ohio Department of Education, have received multiple inquiries from school districts throughout Ohio interested in the possible implementation of the program for their own districts.
Connect Ohio also offers other resources on their website:
There are so many ways that a high-speed connection can take you to new places. Below are some links to help you extend your education, learn new skills, connect, search, and explore new opportunities through a broadband connection. Click on the links to find new learning opportunities.
http://www.teachparentstech.org/about
http://www.ohioliteracynetwork.org/
http://www.gcflearnfree.org/facebook101
