Net Literacy Donates 890 Computers to 100 Indiana Libraries

Net Literacy was conceived of by a middle school student who was volunteering at a public library teaching elementary school students and senior citizens computer and Internet skills in 2003. Net Literacy’s first training guides and lesson plans were adapted from materials that were donated by the research librarian. Fourteen years later, Net Literacy continues to say “thank you” by giving back to public libraries since they were involved in its genesis, and supports the impact that public libraries play in increasing access to technology and digital literacy throughout Indiana. In total, Net Literacy has donated 890 computers (and monitors, keyboards, mice, and power cords) to the Indiana Library Association who coordinates their distribution across Indiana.

Since its inception, Net Literacy has donated over 39,000 computers to K12 families, community centers, libraries, senior centers, schools, and other nonprofits. K12 students that have a computer at home are 7% more likely to graduate from high school. Net Literacy has used a two prong strategy to maximize access to computers – by donating to schools whose student counselors give the computers to underserved and high need families and to nonprofits so that they can construct, expand, or refresh public computer labs. One of Net Literacy’s initiatives has constructed 135 computer labs in schools, churches, and community centers within the Indianapolis area.

Net Literacy Supports Connect to Compete’s 2015-2016 Indianapolis Launch with a Safety Awareness Campaign and Free Computers

Net Literacy starts the 2015-2016 school year by helping increase access to technology in areas within Indianapolis where more than 85% of students are eligible for free or reduced lunches.

Says Net Literacy’s Daniel Kent, “Our friends at Bright House Networks are launching Connect to Compete (C2C) in Indianapolis, and this initiative provides affordable broadband to low income families with K12 students. Now that qualifying families can receive broadband for less than $10 per month, we’re doing our part to help students be safe while having fun online and to provide parents a no cost option to obtain the technology that they’ll need to access broadband. IPS 51 is the first IPS school where’s there’s a formal school coordinated C2C launch, and we’re highlighting online safety with a challenge to the 3rd to 6th graders to write a few sentences about what they’d tell a friend, a classmate or a family how to be safe while having fun online. The 30 best entries, to be selected by Net Literacy student volunteers, will win netbooks or thumb drives (IPS 51 Safety Contest). In October at a school assembly, we’ll announce the student winners at a safety assembly where we’ll show some of our student created safety PSAs and short videos to help progress the students’ learning about online safety.

Also, we have more than 1000 computers in IPS’s warehouse to support families interested in participating in the C2C program but finding it difficult to afford purchasing a new or refurbished computers.

Finally, we’re conducting our 3rd annual IPS Students Against Bullying Awareness Contest and encourage students to become TV stars and youth heroes by helping spread the word about safety with an initiative that allows teens to become youth heroes and TV Stars…with lights, camera, action! While the campaign hasn’t officially launched yet, it will be similar to past year’s programs ( http://www.netliteracy.org/?p=6941).”

For more information, email me at danielkent(at)netliteracy.org

Summer 2011 Summary

Net Literacy had a busy and exciting summer:

[flowplayer src=’http://www.netliteracy.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Net-Literacy-Documentary.flv’ width=468 height=375]

Financial Connects programs, over a five week period, engaged core city 42 students to create 91 financial literacy videos that correlated with the Department of Education’s Financial Literacy Standards.

Net Literacy taught 100 core city students how to create a business plan and 21st Century learning skills as 16 teams of students competed to most effectively engage a distinguished group of judges including executives from foundations, school, the nonprofit, and for-profit sectors.

Computer Connects programs taught 14 primarily homeless students financial literacy, group dynamics, and computer repurposing skills – 350 computers were completed and will be donated to schools, the parents of students on free lunch programs without a computer at home, libraries, and other nonprofits throughout Indiana so that they can build or expand public computer labs to increase access to broadband.

Net Literacy Receives the 21st Century Achievement Award
Net Literacy Receives the 21st Century Achievement Award

Net Literacy was named the 21st Century Achievement Winner by Computerworld Magazine. Companies were nominated from 31 countries and 264 companies were named “Laurels” and invited to a black tie dinner in Washington DC. 55 finalist in 11 categories were announced, and Net Literacy won the Digital Inclusion category by providing “the IT solution that most contributed to increasing digital inclusion” – the DigitalLiteracy.org “best practices” website. Other category winners included IBM, the City of Boston, Allstate Insurance, and the US Army.

During the last 30 days, Net Literacy website had 20,000 unique visitors

In August, Net Literacy delivered 223 computers to eight United Ways in eight counties benefiting 38 public libraries, youth centers, senior centers, community centers, and other nonprofits.

A Indiana Department of Education – Net Literacy partnership enabled Net Literacy to donate 750 computers to 14 schools throughout the state this summer.

For more information, email Daniel Kent at [email protected]

Governor Daniels Declares March 1st “Net Literacy & Digital Literacy Day for the State of Indiana”

Sometimes, a proclamation is worth 1000 words….

Governor Daniels Proclaims 'Net Literacy & Digital Literacy Day for the State of Indiana'
Governor Daniels Proclaims 'Net Literacy & Digital Literacy Day for the State of Indiana'

Bright House Networks Supports Net Literacy for an Eighth Year

Bright House Networks
Bright House Networks

Net Literacy is grateful that Bright House Networks took a chance on a group of middle school students that in 2004, wanted to reduce the digital divide and increase Internet safety awareness. Since then, Bright House Networks and Net Literacy have partnered together, donating more than 5,000 computers to schools and nonprofits. Bright House Networks has also supported Net Literacy’s student volunteers helping them to produce Internet safety PSAs and has carried them on their networks.

Listen to Bright House Networks’ Brooke Krodel explain why Bright House Networks has helped Net Literacy’s students for so many years, by clicking on the logo below.

WHJE Radio

Thank you Bright House Networks, for giving back to the community that you serve and making a difference to so many. To watch a video of the City of Indianapolis proclaiming Bright House Networks and the Techpoint Foundation Day, click on this link.

Respectfully,

Daniel Kent
Student President

Net Literacy Presents at the North Dakota Association of Telecommunication Cooperatives’ 2010 Annual Meeting

NDATC

Net Literacy was invited to address 150 members of the North Dakota Association of Telecommunication Cooperatives’ annual meeting in December, 2010. The NDATC serves 158,000 customers and supports digital inclusion and digital literacy as a matter of good public policy, keeping rural America vital, and enriching the lives of thousands of North Dakota residents. Net Literacy makes its content available to all state associations that are members of the USIIA.

For additional information, contact [email protected]

Indiana Department of Education, Office of Technology, and Department of Administration Partner with Net Literacy

The Indiana Department of Education, Indiana Office of Technology, and Indiana Department of Administration Partner with Net Literacy

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Indiana Department of Education

The Indiana Department of Education, the Indiana Office of Technology, and Indiana Department of Administration have partnered with Net Literacy in a new initiative to provide 15 additional schools computers during CY 2011.

During the last three years (CY2008 through CY2010), Net Literacy’s student volunteers have provided over 12,000 computers to schools and nonprofits.

Safe Connects Internet Safety Training Teaches 12,000 High School Students

Safe Connects Training
Safe Connects Training

Watch the 30 minute Internet safety training video created by Net Literacy student volunteers that’s being used by Indianapolis Public Schools to teach each of the 12,000 high school students receiving netbooks Internet safety. Later during the 2010-2011 school year, Safe Connects training will be taught by IPS high school students to an additional 5,000 3rd graders and 6th graders in a series of school presentations by high school Net Literacy student volunteers to their feeder elementary schools. Other school districts and nonprofits across the country also use Safe Connects Internet safety training materials. Watch the video by clicking on the image above or this link.

Students comprised 50% of Net Literacy Board of Directors, and student board members from T. C. Howe and New Tech High at Arsenal Tech serve as hosts, and the Public Service Announcements (PSAs) include student volunteers from Decatur Central School of IDEAS, Carmel High School, T.C. Howe, and New Tech High at Arsenal Tech.

Safe Connects is a program where students talk to other students about Internet safety in students’ own words. All of the content was written by student volunteers and reviewed by principals, parents, PTAs, and the the Indiana Department of Education. Net Literacy student volunteers also scripted and stared in the PSAs. However, Net Literacy is responsible for all content and materials.

In 2009, the Indiana General Assembly passed House Resolution 95 – which encouraged all Indiana Public, Education, and Government Channel to carry Net Literacy’s Safe Connects programing and other Internet safety content.

100,000s of individuals have viewed Net Literacy PSAs on Bright House Networks cable systems and broadcast stations. Bright House Networks helped fund and has provided Net Literacy student volunteers public service announcement avails so that we can get the word out about Internet safety. Thanks Bright House Networks!

For more information, contact [email protected]

Computer Connects Continues to Provide Computers to Increase Students Success and Digital Literacy

Bright House Networks Delivering Computers
Bright House Networks Delivering Computers

Computer Connects is one of Net Literacy’s six core programs, and during the last three years alone, over 11,000 computers have been donated to schools, churches, libraries, senior centers, community centers, and other nonprofits. In 2010, over 500 computers have also been donated to 95 United Way agencies in 18 counties as part of a partnership with the Indiana Association of United Ways and Net Literacy.

Today, 33 schools ordered 3,300 computers for the 2010-2011 school year, which will enable Net Literacy’s student chapters to continue to provide computers to schools and nonprofits.

Last month, Bright House Networks donated their 5,000th computer to schools under the Net Literacy program since they began supporting this program in 2003. The Techpoint Foundation donated $4,000 (out of $12,000 grant) to enable Net Literacy to provide computers for computer labs in youth-related organizations throughout the State. The Techpoint Foundation has supported Net Literacy since 2004. The Department of Education is considering providing funding to enable Net Literacy to expand this program to additional schools around the State. Lt. Governor Becky Skillman (a Net Literacy Honorary Board Member) has asked Net Literacy’s student volunteers to provide additional technology to Indiana’s rural counties, and Net Literacy’s student volunteers are working to increase access and honor her request.

For more information, contact [email protected].

Net Literacy to Speak at Broadband Expo

In Dallas on November 1-3, the Broadband Expo will focus on rural broadband and is geared for broadband providers, government, businesses, and other stakeholders!

The Broadband Expo
The Broadband Expo

This Expo will provide the emphasis on rural broadband that has been only but a small segment at other events. This is an event that provides educational sessions and an exhibit hall that focus on the full range of both challenges and opportunities to facilitate an efficient expansion of service in the rural market place. For more information, click on this LINK.

Net Literacy will be speaking at the Expo discussing the Digital Literacy “best practices” site, and Josh Miles of MILES design will be on a panel discussing marketing. This is an important conference to attend – especially if you are interested in rural broadband.