What is Everyone On -- and why should you care about it?

Submitted by David Rosen on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 16:57
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Curious: What is Everyone On -- and why should I care about it?

David: So far, in our Everyone On poll here, no one who has responded knows an adult learner who has benefited from Everyone On.

Curious: So, why should I care about that?

David: I think for the first time, adult learners -- and adult basic education teachers -- are eligible for inexpensive ways to get broadband access to the web from a classroom, and/or from home. (Does anyone know if tutors are also eligible?)

Curious: What do you mean by "inexpensive"?

David: Last I looked: a refurbished desktop computer: $150 (approximately); monthly broadband wireless access $10 (approximately); classroom router -- so a teacher who does not now have broadband in her/his classroom can get it: $40 (approximately).

Curious: Wow! But, I had heard that this was just for income-eligible families....?

David: Not anymore. Since OCTAE (U.S. Department of Education) is a partner in Everyone On, at least if an adult basic skills instructor goes through the adult basic skills entrance to everyoneon at http://www.everyoneon.org/welcome, adult learners and instructors can also benefit. Read about this at http://www.ed.gov/edblogs/ovae/2014/04/09/octae-is-working-to-get-everyone-on/ (Does anyone know if the only way that adult learners and teachers can benefit is by going through this web page? Could they also go through http://www.everyoneon.org?)

Curious: Is this available in every single part of the U.S.?

David: I don't know. If you go onto the web site you can find out if it is available in your part of the country.

Curious: Hmmm, I'll check it out.

If you are curious about Everyone On and have other questions, post them here. Together we'll try to find answers to your questions. Meanwhile,  did you notice I posted instructions on how to find the Everyone On poll here. If you haven't yet, please take the poll now.  Thanks!

David J. Rosen

Technology and Learning CoP Moderator

djrosen123@gmail.com

 

 

 

Comments

Perhaps you are not a teacher but you work with teachers as a program manager, technical assistance provider, trainer or professional developer. If so.... Do you think teachers and program managers in your state know about Everyone On? What makes you think so? Are you part of an outreach program to make sure they do? If so, tell us how the outreach program works, and what are you hearing back from teachers and students about Everyone On? Are teachers getting computers, Internet access at home or in their program or school through Everyone On? Are students getting Internet access at home or in their classes through Everyone On? Is  Everyone On narrowing the broadband digital divide in adult basic education? If not, what can be done to spread the word? (I don't see downsides to this, but maybe you do. If so, let's hear them.)

I eagerly await your replies!

David J. Rosen

Technology and Learning CoP Moderator

djrosen123@gmail.com

 

Technology and Learning Colleagues,

To get a better understanding of what EveryoneOn has been accomplishing, I looked at their annual report

http://www.everyoneon.org/report/ and I also sent some questions to EveryoneOn Programs Associate, Amber Petty, which she quickly answered. If there are more questions for her, we’ll invite her to join us to reply to them.

From the Annual report, I have learned that:

  • One in four U.S. households lack home Internet access. (Note: this has been updated since the annual report to 21.4% of households, a little over 1 in 5 households.) 
  • 20% of Americans do not use the Internet at all.
  • “Disproportionately from low-income and minority communities, these populations risk becoming increasingly isolated from our digital society because they lack access to the Internet and the skills necessary to use it effectively”
  • Everyone on now offers affordable 4G Internet service in (some areas of) 48 states. (In some cases, mine for example, they also offer 3G service for a lower cost.)
  • “The number of households with Internet access in the United States increases each year, but the rate at which it increases is too slow. Part of our goal at EveryoneOn is to increase that rate. There are a few ways which we do this. Individuals can come to our website on their own and purchase affordable Internet, but we recognize that this is not necessarily the best tactic to accelerate adoption. A large portion of our work is dedicated to facilitating bulk adoptions. We make it possible for organizations or school districts to prepay for Internet service and buy devices for their beneficiaries in bulk. This allows us to help provide devices and access on larger scales. Through bulk adoptions this year we have connected close to 4,000 individuals.”

I asked Amber Petty:

  1. How many Internet Access/hotspot devices inquiries they have had: 4,968 to date.
  2. How many broadband Internet access subscriptions have been purchased to date through the Everyoneon regular income-eligible program – 53,597
  3. How many broadband Internet access subscriptions have been purchased to date through the U.S. Department of Education Adult Basic Education program: 23. Amber suggests that when your organization applies to become an enrollment partner, indicate your affiliation with OCTAE/LINCS in the comment section, so that your connection with OCTAE can be reflected. This could enable a more comprehensive list of ABE programs that perhaps can then comment on their efforts through EveryoneOn.

 

My analysis of this information

We have an opportunity to dramatically increase computer and Internet access for adult basic skills learners and teachers, but this is not happening yet. Few program managers, teachers – and as a result adult learners – know they can get relatively inexpensive (desktop or laptop) computer, monthly Internet access, and classroom hotspots for Internet access.

If we care about providing access we need to change that. We all need to investigate what is available from EveryoneOn in our communities, and make sure that teachers and adult learners know how they can get this more affordable access if it is available.

I understand that not every community is covered by the providers EveryoneOn brokers, that rural areas are especially under-served by telecoms. I suggest that you check first what is available for your area before raising teachers’ and students’ expectations. To do that, go to http://everyoneon.org and then:

  1. Type in your zip code.
  2. Select the “Find Offers” button.
  3. Select the top “Yes” choice
  4. Select “View Offers” button.

For more information about adult educator and adult learner access to EveryoneOn offers, go to:

http://www.ed.gov/edblogs/ovae/2014/04/09/octae-is-working-to-get-everyone-on/

Let's see your questions about, experiences with, concerns about and hopes for for EveryoneOn providing teachers and learners with Internet access.

David J.Rosen

Technology and Learning CoP Moderator

djrosen123@gmail.com