Understanding Access (and lack of it)
From Pew Internet - survey data from 2009-10 focusing on differences in use and ownership of various technologies broken down by income level.
Pew Internet & American Life Project: This reports on differences between Latinos and other groups when it comes to Internet access and examines factors that contribute to the differences. Download the PDF file, and read at least the summary of findings (pages i-iv). It was published in 2007 and based on survey data collected in 2006.
Pew Internet & American Life Project: Download the PDF copy of the full report; lots of stuff here, so focus on poor and African Americans - see page ii (top two bullets) of summary and then check pages numbered 2-5 in the actual report - skip the first graph on page 2, but after that read the narrative and check tables and graphs down through page 5.
Summary of survey conducted by FCC in fall 2009 about broadband use.
Pew Internet & American Life Project: View the 4-slide PowerPoint presentation. You can open it in full-screen view to be able to read the actual statistics. Examine the "thermometers" on slides 1 & 3 carefully, noting the factors - race/ethnicity, income, age, education as related to what percent of the people in each group use email and the Internet (slide 1) or have high-speed access at home (slide 3).
Pew Internet and American LIfe Project: Table that's updated often - shows data about who's online and who's not.
Programs aimed at shrinking the divide
After-school clubs; refurbishing/donation organizations; one-to-one laptop programs
"Company donates 7,400 computers to students since father, son started non-profit organization 8 years ago." Read about the nonprofit started by Elon student, Ned Dibner and his father.
Durham, NC nonprofit that refurbishes old computers and donates them to students. Check out this program started by an Elon student, Ned Dibner, and his father; the most informative part of the site to explore is probably the News page - just skim a few of the news articles that tell the stories of those who have contributed to and benefitted from this program.
Read about this program on its homepage, and then check tabs/links to Principles and Goals and Success Stories.
One-to-one laptop initiatives
(at school, system, and state levels)
One-to-one laptop program in North Carolina school system - the movie on this page is not very impressive, but READ the text that describes the amazing plan they've implemented, and note the timeline on the left, ending with last fall when they had MacBooks in the hands of every 4th-12th grader and SMARTBoards installed in every K-3 classroom.
News article about Mooresville's one-to-one laptop program quotes Jessica Swearengin, a high school history teacher and Elon grad who was recently named as an Apple Distinguished Educator.
One-to-one laptop program policies and documents: The current superintendent in Mooresville was previously here - read about their technology resources for students. In addition to reading the text on the page, don't miss the links on the right under Technology Links to things like computer regulations and Internet safety. Finally check out two links at top - for students and for parents and under each one, the link to technology tips.
Lots to explore here to learn about NC schools participating in 1:1 programs, but at least take a look at the homepage and explore a couple of links - the one to a list of schools in the NCLTI network and the one to the NC 1:1 Ning, a social network set up just for teachers involved in 1:1 laptop programs.
First state-wide program to provide laptops to students
Maine Department of Education - News - Press Release
Rad this article about laptops in a high school in Arizona.