APS Computers Help Bridge Technology Gap ?

1,700 computers distributed at 18 schools

Department of Information Services staff hands out laptops to Career Center students.

One of the challenges facing many school districts across the country is the technology divide in schools and communities. Here in Arlington, approximately eight percent of APS students don?t have a computer at home. Students who do not have computers to access the Internet are at a significant disadvantage in today?s fast-paced learning environment.

Arlington Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Pat Murphy initiated a new computer-loaner program in October that is targeted at minimizing the technology divide that exists within the school division. ?While 92% of our students have a computer and the Internet available at home, there is still a group of students who do not have home access,? said Murphy. ?It is our hope that we can bridge the technology divide by directly placing computers in the hands of students to use at home.?

Initially, only laptops were earmarked as loaners, but the program has since expanded to include desktop computers. To date, over 1,700 laptops and desktops have been distributed to 18 schools. Currently, an additional 300 desktops have been prepared as loaners.

The computers selected for the loaner program were made available during the school division?s last computer replacement cycle. A significant number of computers were not technically capable of upgrading to the Windows 7 operating system and instead were refurbished for the loaner program. The loaner computers include Windows XP, Open Office, a Google Chrome browser, a media player and antivirus software.

?The benefits that APS students and their families realize as a result of the program are numerous: from the ability to type homework assignments at home to the reduced number of trips to the public library,? said APS network analyst Terance Proctor. ?This has been a very successful initiative and the reaction from the students and their families has been extremely positive.?

The program doesn?t provide students with access to the Internet; however, local providers do have programs for low income families. ?As for future plans, Proctor is confident that the program will continue to expand as long as there is a need and computers available to loan.

The March 2 episode of APS Snapshots will feature more information on the computer loaner program. Snapshots can be viewed on Comcast Cable Channel 70, Verizon FiOS 41 or online at www.apsva.us.

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Filed under: Arlington Public Schools Tagged: | computers, laptops, loaners, technology, technology gap

Source: http://arlingtoncitizen.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/aps-computers-help-bridge-technology-gap/

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