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:
I asked Amber Petty:
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:
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