Tech Corps News

NetDay Introduces NetDay Compass

October 26, 2000 — The NetDayCompass is the first, web-based directory of education technology resources designed to help decision-makers in K-12 schools maximize technology investments. This online guide contains high-quality ed tech resources to help schools make smart decisions about technology planning, infrastructure, funding, and classroom support.

TECH CORPS is a proud partner in National TechiesDay.

October 3, 2000 — Created by CNET and techies.com, TechiesDay is a nationwide initiative to address the increasing demand for technology professionals in the US. As a project partner, TECH CORPS State Directors coordinated volunteers to go into schools across the country, to engage students in activities that emphasized technology career readiness and awareness. We are proud to say that TECH CORPS hosted close to 40 events in 15 different markets across the country! Some of the events are highlighted below:
* At Byrd Academy in Cabrini Green in Chicago, volunteers spoke to approximately 100 students from 6th through 8th grade classes. They stressed the importance of technology in their lives now and in the future, talked about the importance of staying in school and studying. They showed a web site from PBS which shows a house changing every year from 1900 to 1998. The students were fascinated by it.
* At Marconi Academy, volunteers simulated building a Web business and had the students assume the role of a typical project team.
* Lewisdale Elementary School, in Prince George’s County Maryland hosted a wonderful “hands-on” activity with students and TechCorps MD volunteers, developing a Web-Page for the school.
* In Providence, RI, a supervisor from Cox Communications visited West Broadway Elementary School. She met with 25 5th graders, first speaking to them in their classroom and then the kids went out to the truck to see the equipment, the tools, and to learn about safety. The kids had a blast in the truck – one student even told her that he memorized her license plate, and that he was going to wave to her if he saw her on the road (then he asked her if she would wave back!).
To learn more about the TechiesDay events, see the national Press Release here. (Events Press Release)
In addition, the TechiesDay team partnered with the National Chamber Foundation to host the first ever Workforce Development Summit on October 3 at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington D.C. This Summit brought together the foremost leaders in government, business and education to spotlight the best practices and solutions to better prepare young Americans for a technology-driven future. To learn more about the TechiesDay summit, click here (pre summit Release) and here (Post Summit Release).

Candidates Bush and Gore Answer Educators’ Tough Questions

Education is one of the most important issues in this fall’s United States Presidential election. Governor George W. Bush of Texas and Vice President Al Gore agree. With that in mind, the Microsoft Classroom Teacher Network (MCTN) invited 10 educators from across the U.S. to ask the candidates a question. Their questions range from merit pay to standards-based education. The candidates’ responses provide valuable insight into their education viewpoints. The result is Campaign 2000 — The Education Debate”- now live through Election Day on the Microsoft Classroom Teacher Network.
Microsoft thanks Vice President Gore and Governor Bush for participating in this important education forum. We are delighted to have the opportunity to present to you the candidates in this special education debate.

Tech Corps Submits e-Testimony to Web-based Education Commission.

September 2000 — Tech Corps founder Gary Beach presented e-testimony to the Congressional Web-based Education Commission, recommending that Congress work in partnership with K-12 schools. Mr. Beach cited that through legislative and budgetary leadership, Congress has the “unique capability to encourage and support collaboration that will foster maximum innovation and leverage the greatest resources”. He also stressed the importance of businesses offering employees release time in order to encourage volunteerism. For more of the e-testimonial, click here.

Acclaimed Teachers’ Technology Resource webTeacher Now Available in Spanish!

July 2000 — Washington, DC (June 26, 2000) – The acclaimed Internet tutorial webTeacher® — available in English for three years — is now also available in Spanish thanks to the translation work of the Puerto Rican government. In a partnership between TECH CORPS® and the National Cable Television Association, this self-paced Internet Tutorial puts both basic and in-depth information about the World Wide Web at your fingertips. See this exciting new version of webTeacher at www.webteacher.org/Espanol.
Tech Corps Presents Teacher Awards at NECC.
Atlanta, GA – June 27, 2000 — At this year’s National Educational Computing Conference,TECH CORPS recognized the efforts of two very dedicated teachers. Joan Goble and Susan Hedlund Flentie have been leaders in the successful application of technology in the classroom. In addition to creating innovative programs for their students, these teachers have been instrumental in the mentoring of other teachers.
Nominees for this Award were selected by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), a national leader in supporting teachers and technology, and presented to TECH CORPS for evaluation.

CyberSurfari Summer 2000 – Get in the Game!

CyberSurfari kicks off their Summer Games! CyberSurfari is a FREE Internet treasure hunt, and TECH CORPS is participating by hosting one of the clues. The object of the CyberSurfari game is to find and submit as many treasures as possible. The more clues you solve, the better your chances of winning.
CyberSurfari is created by the Children’s Web Surfing Alliance, a non-profit charitable organization created to operate CyberSurfari.Org, a Web site devoted to educational development for teachers, students, and families regarding the vast opportunities and benefits available through strong online navigation skills.
Players can be individuals or school teams, and must exhibit incredible mental strength, perseverance, team work, deductive reasoning, and a keen knowledge of the Web to find the 100-plus treasures and “bits of knowledge” that await them through the CyberSurfari Summer 2000 game. Learn more at www.cybersurfari.org. Encourage kids and schools you work with to join the hunt this summer!

InDefense, Inc. Partners with TECH CORPS

Santa Cruz, CA and Boston, MA (June 8, 2000): InDefense, Inc. and TECH CORPS® announced today a joint initiative supporting increased protection and data security for computers in schools. Expanding its 1999 contribution, InDefense is donating thousands of copies of Achilles’ShieldTM, its advanced malicious code protection system software, to TECH CORPS member schools. Non-member K-12 schools will also be able to take advantage of a special educational rate. Click here for more information.

President Clinton Lauds techs4schools Program.

May, 2000 — Compaq, in Partnership with TechCorps, Announced a $500,000 Commitment to Serve Native American and Other Schools Through Online Mentoring. The President announced a $500,000 commitment by Compaq Computer Corporation to partner with TechCorps to develop, pilot and support the nationwide launch of techs4schools, an online mentoring program that uses the Internet to join teachers with volunteer high-tech experts to advance the level of technological knowledge and support in our schools. Click here for White House Press Release.

Apply today for Compaq’s Teaching with Technology Grant Program

Compaq’s 1999-2000 Teaching with Technology Grant Program recognizes K-12 educators from U.S. public, private and Department of Defense schools for their effective uses of technology to create challenging and inspiring learning opportunities for students.
The grant program provides educators national recognition for their work, the opportunity to share best practices with teachers around the country, and a chance to win Compaq products for their schools.
As an expansion of our national partnership with Compaq, TECH CORPS has been chosen to disseminate information, solicit applications, and facilitate the judging process, utilizing its vast industry resources. TECH CORPS will recruit distinguished leaders in education and technology to serve as judges for the program and will manage the application selection process. TECH CORPS is proud to be working with Compaq on this special program.
For more information or to apply online, visit: http://www.compaq.com/education/k12/success/devgrant_2000.html. The deadline for submissions is April 15, 2000. Winners will be notified in May 2000.

TECH CORPS Executive Director Karen Smith Receives the

Impact 30 Award from eSchool News
With the statement “Technology doesn’t transform education; people do,” eSchool News has named the 30 most influential people in education technology. TECH CORPS executive director Karen Smith is #9! Karen received special recognition for TECH CORPS’ development of techs4schools, an online mentoring program that provides technology mentors to rural or underserved school districts.
While featured in their print magazine, their selection has also been posted online at http://www.eschoolnews.org/impact30/ for you to read. We’re pleased to have TECH CORPS represented!