MREA CONFERENCE MONDAY, NOV. 16, 2015

WIFF Schools?

Lake County Blandin Broadband Community Initiative

IT IS CRITICAL THAT WE EDUCATE PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET TOOLS

THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP THEM IMPROVE THEIR LIVES.

OUR PLAN

Broadband, or high-speed Internet, is now an essential education tool. Classrooms are wired; wireless is increasingly everywhere on almost every school campus. But learning does not stop at the school door. Today’s learning requires a combination of community connectivity and available devices, plus the creation and use of dynamic curriculum to meet the diverse needs of the community - for pre-k kids to adult life-long learners.  

How are we using broadband-based technology to improve outcomes for schools and communities? 

How did we partneri with our communities?  What conditions enabled our success?  Advice for others?

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY9sp9OszVc9QwzriSwhIjw

LAKE COUNTY DIGITAL INSTITUTE - OUR YOU TUBE CHANNEL

COMMUNITY EDUCATION -

Our goal was to teach as many people as possible about the power of broadband with hands on training using specific web and Internet tools: FaceBook, Skype, Google, WebEx, GoToMeeting, Twitter, etc.

In order to educate people on why broadband is important we believe we need to share with them the tools that make broadband great.

We partnered with local business, school personnel and organizations for trainers. Local business - PureDriven has committed to assist in providing training. ARDC has trained Senior Surf Volunteers. High School students offer classes and workshops for our older citizens.

We tried to offer “Something for Everybody” - classes designed for all age demographics in Lake County

Blandin funding allowed us to provide small sized classes at no or very low cost

INCREASE IN SENIORS IN COMPUTER CLASSES

Only 5 seniors participated in computer offferings in 2007In 2015, we had 398 senior students enrolled in our classes!

We have used the IPad for looking up a narwhal, Yes, it is a real sea creature! We often use the IPad for listening to the sounds animals make, such as various owls and the quetzal. For music, we play videos. Most of the music is on an IPod because it is smaller to use & we have purchased or uploaded CDs on it. We also use the IPad to see things we can’t see in northern Minnesota, such as volcanoes, sea life and wild animals. - Ann CarlsonPreschool Teacher, Two Harbors

COMMUNITY EDUCATION PREK 3 & 4 WHERE OUR LEARNING STARTS EARLY AND INSPIRES

Donna Blomberg in Silver Bay, has been using the smart board for video clips, movies and My Big World Weekly Reader. From her perspective, the kids are very engaged during the activities.

 

“It’s a much more interactive experience than just watching video on a screen.”

PRESCHOOL FACE BOOK PAGES

Sllver Bay

https://www.facebook.com/Silver-Bay-Community-Ed-Preschool-1407842772776657/

Two Harbors

https://www.facebook.com/thcomm.edpreschool/

http://ktwh.org/category/audio-download/

PARTNER - TWO HARBORS COMMUNITY RADIO - WTWH 99.5 FM

NEW LOCAL RADIO STATION - Podcasts, streaming and

http://us6.campaign-archive2.com/?u=77bc2747ee9cfdb4a665811b9&id=fbf24ac2aa&e=ba825f2be5

LAKE COUNTY COMMUNITY CALENDAR

http://www.twoharborsmn.com/news/education/3867374-two-harbors-teachers-work-integrate-technology

Instead of students carrying home traditional math textbooks, they can now access their homework online and work to solve them online

TEACHERS WORK TO INTEGRATE TECHNOLOGY

TECH N COFFEE – SUMMER PROGRAM

http://www.wdio.com/article/stories/s3826744.shtml

SUMMARY WIIFSISD 381 Lake Superior School District has played a critical role in the success in the Lake County community broadband initiatives –

1. By providing community access to high speed Internet, (hubs in community and school sites)2. By training students of all ages to make effective use of Internet tools, (classes and

workshops) 3. to connecting community members together through cross-generational mentoring.

Enhanced access spurring enhanced skills make rural communities a more vibrant and sustainable place in this tech-centered world.

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CONTACT INFORMATION:

Chris Olafson LangenbrunnerCommunity Education DirectorLake Superior School Dsitrict #381Two Harbors, MN 55616218-834-8201, ext. 8227

colafson@isd381.k12.mn.us

I will make good things happen for other people(for those here now and those who come after us).

When things get tough and I fall shortI will remind myself I can accomplish anything with time,

effort, patience, and resilience ... anything.

When my situation is not the best I willdo the best with what I have.

I will be resourceful and responsible.

I will get over myself and expect more of myself.

I will be obligated to this world and the people in it.

I will give more. I will enjoy more.