The Digital Miracles Project: Using ServiceLearning to Bridge the Digital Divide

1
The Digital Miracles Project Using
Service-Learning to Bridge the Digital Divide

• Pennsylvania Service-Learning Alliance

http//digital.paservicelearning.org http//21cclc
.paservicelearning.org
2
Presentation Goals

• Familiarize participants with digital divide
  issues across urban, suburban, and rural
  communities
• Familiarize participants with service-learning
  and its impacts on both student learning and the
  community
• Introduce the participants to both the curricular
  and infrastructure components of the Digital
  Miracles Project and how to implement it at a
  21st Century Learning Center

3
Understanding Service-Learning

• Service-Learning is a teaching methodology
  whereby students use and apply newly acquired
  academic knowledge to solve a real-life problem
  or community need.
• Service-learning is more than just community
  service. It is a method of teaching and an
  experience for students to advance their skills
  and knowledge.

4
What is the Digital Divide?

• The gap between people who have access to and
  can effectively use technology and those who
  cannot.
• Source http//www.digitaldividenetwork.o
  rg

5
Causes of the Digital Divide

• Limited access to technology (computers, the
  Internet, software)
• Limited access to computer training and education
  opportunities
• Lack of awareness in the regards of the
  application of technology

6
What is the Digital Miracles Project?

• A 40-hour extra-curricular program designed for
  students aged 12-18.
• Students learn about computer repair and software
  installation through hands-on activities.
• Each student who completes the program receives a
  refurbished computer to take home and keep.
• Through service-learning, students provide
  technology access to their schools, communities
  and families

7
What do students learn in Digital Miracles?

• The basic hardware components of a personal
  computer.
• How to upgrade and repair a personal computer.
• How to install various types software onto a
  computer.
• How to use office software to create documents
  and presentations.
• How to use new technology skills to bridge the
  digital divide in their communities.

8
Digital Miracles and Service-Learning

• Students refurbish computers for other members of
  the community as well as themselves.
• Students are strongly encouraged to pass it on,
  sharing their new knowledge and computer with
  their families and friends.
• Schools form student-driven tech teams that
  provide on-the-spot technical support and
  computer training for faculty, staff, and
  students.

9
How do teachers benefit from Digital Miracles?

• Digital Miracles teachers receive an intensive
  training on technology and service-learning.
• Other teachers will benefit from technology savvy
  students in their classrooms.

10
How do schools benefit from Digital Miracles?

• Provides an extra-curricular enrichment program
  for students interested in computers and
  technology.
• Provides teachers with computer training.
• Provides home computers for students.
• Better integrates technology into the existing
  curricula.

11
How does the community benefit from Digital
Miracles?

• Provides access to technology for low income
  students and families.
• Businesses can safely dispose and reuse old
  computer systems.
• Reduces community waste.

12
The Infrastructure of the Digital Miracles Project

• Program elements
• Trained faculty and/or staff members.
• Storage and training facilities.
• Classroom materials.

13
Elements of a Digital Miracles session

• Designed for a class of up to 14 students.
• All training time (40 hours) is conducted outside
  of regular instructional time (i.e. after school,
  Saturdays, Spring Break, summer)
• A parent/family celebration occurs the end of the
  session.

14
Teacher/Instructor Roles

• Attend basic training for one week during the
  summer.
• Coordinate and teach two sessions within the
  school year.
• Recruit students to participate in the program.
• Organize a celebration for students and families
  at the end of each session.
• Coordinate student service and the distribution
  of refurbished computers after the session is
  completed.

15
Technical Specialist Roles

• Provides expert assistance in the repair and
  refurbishment of the computers.
• Identifies hardware and software needed for the
  program.
• Assures the quality control of refurbished
  computers going to both students and community
  members.
• Provides limited technical support to students
  after the program is completed.

16
Classroom requirements for Digital Miracles

• Adequate space to store at least 20 computers.
• Tables rather than desks are recommended.
• Enough electrical outlets to support 14
  computers.
• Network connectivity.
• Locked and secure when not in use.

17
Classroom Materials Required

• 20 complete used computer systems for each
  session (CPU, monitor, keyboard, mouse, cabling).
• 8 computer tool kits and 16 electrostatic wrist
  straps.
• CDs with all the necessary software (Windows 98
  or 2000, Microsoft Office 2000, Avast Antivirus,
  and Naomi Web Content Filter, Adobe Acrobat
  Reader)
• Curriculum workbooks for each student (students
  keep the books at the end of the program).
• 15 modems for each session and any additional
  computer components needed.

18
Procuring Used Computers

• Identifying possible donors
• Effectively soliciting
• What and what not to collect
• Follow up

19
Good Sources of Computers

• Local business and industry
• Local government agencies
• Local colleges and universities
• Local nonprofit agencies
• Community members

20
Strategies for Solicitation

• Cold calling and letter writing
• Web/Internet presence
• Public recycling drives
• Local media sources

21
What types of Equipment to Collect

• Desktop PCs with the following minimum
  specifications Pentium II processor (350 Mhz),
  128 Mb of RAM, 4 Gb Hard drive, 56K modem.
• PS/2 mice and keyboards.
• Monitors, SVGA specification.
• Speakers

22
Program Coordinators

• Jon Zemanek
• Digital Divide Project Coordinator
• Pennsylvania Service-Learning Alliance
• jzemanek_at_sas.upenn.edu
• 215.746.0227
• Websites
• http//digital.paservicelearning.org
• http//21cclc.paservicelearning.org

• Margit Myers
• 21CCLC Coordinator
• Pennsylvania Service-Learning Alliance
• Margitamyers_at_yahoo.com
• 215.573.6535