A Virtual Space for Real-time Collaboration

Mass Networks Education Partnership, Inc.
Steve Miller
Executive Director
Mass Networks Education Partnership, Inc.
www.massnetworks.org

The news about NetDay in California reached Massachusetts in an email, which directed volunteers to the NetDay web site. Steve Miller received the message, followed the link, and saw how Massachusetts could leverage the NetDay idea to organize a comprehensive, state-wide networking initiative. He founded the Mass Networks Education Partnership, with support from the Massachusetts Software Counsel, the Massachusetts Technology Park Corporation, and Senator Edward Kennedy.

You had to be supportive of technology pioneers in education. When you spent time with them, face to face, you could help people think about long-term issues with both technology and professional development. By working with these pioneers, local schools and teachers could own the whole thing.
-- Steve Miller

1. Encourage as many schools as possible to start a LAN wiring project.
2. Foment professional development for teachers.
3. Improve community and business school connections.

Once they accomplished the first goal, they shifted resources to support professional development, and leadership. Steve Miller: "We're moving from technology infrastructure to learning environments. We're trying to create Virtual Education Space, a state-wide environment to support teaching and learning."

A Community Network for a Local School

Thomas Edison Middle School, Boston Public School System
Carolyn Costello
Computer Teacher
Thomas Edison Middle School

Carolyn Costello describes herself as "Miss NetDay" for Thomas Edison Middle School in Boston. She worked with a team of people from the Boston Public Schools (BPS) Offices of Instructional Technology, Information Systems, Planning and Engineering, and Boston City Hall. Together, they coordinated the wiring design for eight classrooms, a computer lab, the library, and offices at Edison. She remembers the experience as a great opportunity to involve the community with the school.

One of the best parts of NetDay was having people of totally different backgrounds such as teachers, construction workers, and parents with high tech experience, coming to the schools and working together. Boston's IBEW Local 102 put a call out for volunteer electricians. Our school had 12 electricians who pulled 80 wires, labeled, and punched down five classrooms. The parents were excited and thrilled about their involvement in the project, configuring machines and helping with food.
-- Carolyn Costello

NetDay turned into NetYear when Mayor Thomas M. Menino pledged to connect every classroom in the city to the Internet. The capital improvement plan for all 136 schools began in 1998 with the commitment of BPS's Superintendent Thomas W. Payzant, OIT Director Ann M. Grady, OIS Director Albert Lau, and the mayor's advisor on technology and education, Steven Gag. By the end of 2000, 72 schools had a complete technology infrastructure with power and data.

Teacher training in BPS began as each school received its starter network. Teachers who have attained Novice Level are eligible to be coached by a master teacher. Together, they design curriculum using different applications to integrate technology into content areas aligned with state standards. These teachers then receive a computer and printer for their classroom