Technology Plan and Resource Needs for a Social Enterprise and a School

(Sample)

 

 

Overview

At SEE FOREVER, we want our students and staff to use technology in order to make learning interesting, tangible and accessible. Computer use will be integrated throughout the curriculum as a learning tool and information source. Students, their families, staff, volunteers and other community partners will communicate via email. Students will use computers to help them run their businesses.

To achieve this goal, we will make computers available in the classroom, in a computer lab, in the business and, in a second phase, in the students' homes.

 

Computers in the classrooms

Each of the four classrooms will be equipped with two computers which are networked and connected to the Internet.

These computers will be used throughout the day in each class. All of our classes will combine team-work and project-based learning. We will aggressively use computers and the Internet as a tool to enhance the learning. For example, students in the science class will use the Internet to connect to the NASA web site, team up with an Ask-A-Scientist e-mail program. They will then use a spreadsheet program to create charts and prepare reports for their projects. In our business class, students will work with spreadsheet and graphics packages to work on restaurant finances and marketing.

By incorporating technology throughout our curriculum, students will be able to take advantage of the power provided by computers and the Internet. In addition, technology will become a tool that the students naturally use throughout the day, preparing them for an increasingly technology-intense world.

 

The Computer lab

The SEE FOREVER computer lab will consist of 6 fairly advanced personal computers that are all networked and have access to the Internet. The computer lab will have several uses:

• To offer computer instruction. Since our classes will be small (consisting of 5 students), each student will have access to his or her own computer for training. Computer instruction will focus on using the Microsoft Office suite of business applications and Internet use. The computer lab will also be used to provide computer training to all teachers;
• Class-related projects which require access to more computers and peripheral equipment. Teachers will reserve the computer lab for projects which require intensive computer use or the use of digital cameras, scanners, or other multimedia equipment;
• Family projects. We will offer computer training for parents and siblings of our students, co-taught by the students themselves;
• An after-school resource. Students will be able to use the computer lab during after-school hours to complete homework assignments and pursue computer interests;
• Advanced computer workshops. In a second phase, the computer lab will be used for advanced workshops for students who show a particular interest in certain computer-related activities such as digital imaging, desktop publishing, or computer-assisted bookkeeping. These workshops will tie-in to the business. For example, students in the desktop publishing workshop will design the menu for the catering business.

 

Computers for the staff

Teaching staff, administrators and the personnel of the restaurant will all have access to computers and the Internet at all time, facilitating efficient communication and allowing us to work more effectively.

Experience has demonstrated that the quality of the classroom use of technology is directly related to the amount of teacher training and support provided. To address this challenge, we will provide intense computer training workshops as part of our teacher orientation program. In addition, we will provide two laptop computers which are available for checkout by the teachers.

 

Computers in the restaurant

Computers will be used by the student-trainees and the restaurant manager alike. Students and the manager will use the computers in the restaurant to design menus and manage the restaurant's finances. Catering orders will be accepted via the web and e-mail.

 

Computers and the Internet as a communications tool

The success of the SEE FOREVER program will be largely determined by effective communication between our key stakeholders:

• the students
• the staff (teachers, administrators, restaurant staff)
• the volunteers (mentors and tutors)
• community partners (probation officers, business partners).

 

We will aggressively encourage all our stakeholders to use computers and the Internet to communicate. For example, after initial computer training, all homework assignments will be prepared on the computer. Each student will have an electronic folder and an e-mail account where they receive and turn in their homework assignments. Teachers will communicate with mentors and tutors via e-mail, enabling us to address student needs in real time and before crises develop.

In addition, we will use the Internet as a publishing environment and marketing tool. We will use the Internet to publish student publications and newsletters, the restaurant menu, and sales and promotional materials. Course-related materials will be made available on our intranet (a web site designed specifically for our students and staff).

 

Technical Overview
The computer lab

Six computers, all networked and connected to the Internet. Multimedia equipment including: digital imaging equipment, photo-editing software, a digital video camera etc.

 

Six Pentium based computers:	200 Mhz Pentium MMX processor, 32 MB RAM, 16x CD-ROM, Ethernet card, 1.6 GB drive, 15" RGB monitor. $12,000
Additional storage:	2 Zip drives, 1 Jazz drive, storage cartridges. $1,500
Printers:	1 laser printer, 1 color deskjet printer. $2,500
Peripheral equipment:	1 scanner, 1 digital camera, 1 digital video camera. $2,000
Software:	Windows '95, Microsoft Office '97 for all computers. Adobe Photoshop, Quark Express, Microsoft Frontpage and educational software for 3 computers. Donated

 

The network

All computers will be connected to an Ethernet network connected to the Internet.

 

Connectivity Hardware:

A Windows NT Server, including backup equipment	$4,000
Network hubs with 30 ports	$1,000
Ascend Pipeline ISDN router	$1,000
CAT 5 cabling in all classrooms	$1,000

Connectivity requirements consist of:

ISDN installation	$1,000
ISDN Internet setup	$1,000
Monthly ISDN fees	$100
Domain name registration	$100
Monthly Internet access fees	$300

New FCC initiatives and school plans offered by local ISDN/phone service providers may allow us to significantly reduce these connectivity expenses.

 

The classrooms

Two computers will be available in each classroom. Total equipment needs for the classrooms include:

8 Pentium-based personal computers:	200 Mhz Pentium MMX processor, 32 MB RAM, 16x CD-ROM, Ethernet card, 1.6 GB drive, 15" RGB monitor. $16,000
Additional storage:	4 Zip drives, storage cartridges. $1,500
Printers:	4 color deskjet printers. $2,000
Software:	Windows '95, Microsoft Office '97, Microsoft Frontpage for all computers. Donated

 

Other equipment

Computers for the three administrative staff and for the restaurant manager. In addition, we will have two laptap computers available for check-our by the teaching staff.

5 Pentium-based personal computers:	200 Mhz Pentium MMX processor, 32 MB RAM, 16x CD-ROM, Ethernet card, 1.6 GB drive, 15" RGB monitor. $10,000
Additional storage:	1 Zip drive, storage cartridges. $300
Printers:	2 laser printers. $3,000
Laptop computers:	2 Pentium-based lap computers, 32MB RAM, modem, 1.6 GB drive. $4,000
Software:	Windows '95, Microsoft Office '97, Adobe Photoshop, Quark Express, Microsoft Frontpage for 4 computers. Donated

Set-up and Maintenance

In addition, we will need to hire a professional company to configure our server, install our network and our Internet setup. Installation costs are expected to be approximately $2,000.

Finally, we will need to purchase a maintenance contract to cover all computers and our servers, for a total annual cost of $1000.

 

Resource needs

Total equipment costs detailed above add up to $63,000 (not including Internet access charges). Our hope is that all software will be donated. Internet access and cabling costs may be reduced as part of the new discount programs for schools that are being prepared as part of a new FCC initiative.