FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2003

Netday Helps Students Shape National Education Technology Plan
Students participate in discussion with Department of Education

Seattle, WA (NECC)—July 1, 2003 -- Three high school students from around the country described how technology is changing their educational experiences before an audience at the National Educational Computing Conference. Moderated by NetDay CEO Julie Evans, the discussion was part of the Department of Education’s outreach process to develop the National Education Technology Plan.

“NetDay is honored to be part of the process and contribute to the development of the National Education Technology Plan,” said Evans. “Through our work in communities and our web initiatives, NetDay has seen the power of technology to improve education and to connect students to a brighter future. The students today have shared inspiring stories and offered invaluable advice. The future technology experiences of students and teachers will be richer as a result of Department of Education’s efforts to reach out to broad based constituencies, but most particularly to listen to students.”

The three NetDay students traveled from urban, rural, and suburban public schools and offered insight into what matters to them about technology and the role it plays in learning. Byron Escobar will be a sophomore at the School of Social Justice in Oakland, California, and uses technology to help his uncle create and sell music. Annexis Shelly, a senior from West Bolivar High School in Rosedale, Mississippi, has 9 email addresses and considers herself an average technology user among her peers. Chris Heckman, a high school senior in Mission Viejo, California, who uses a PDA for both personal and school organization, described how he uses the Internet for everything from research on quantum physics to planning a date.

The students noted the differences between technology use in and outside of school and the use of the Internet by their teachers. They also offered advice about designing schools of the future, agreeing that all schools should have a computer in every classroom and that students should have laptops so that they could finish assignments at home. In addition, the students urged teachers to understand the use of technology. “Don’t limit yourself. When you limit yourself, you limit your students and we want to learn.” Annexis Shelly said.

ABOUT NETDAY
NetDay's mission is to connect every child to a brighter future by helping educators meet educational goals through the effective use of technology. NetDay (www.NetDay.org), a national non-profit organization known for its successful school wiring programs, today manages community and web-based programs that promote enhanced student achievement through the effective use of technology.

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