GET THE WORD OUT
Volume III Number II
________________________________________________________________________

Topics in this Issue:

1.) Youth Environmental Leadership and Solidarity Camp
2.) Grantsmanship Training Program
3.) Discounted Software
4.) A Guide for Education Publishers and Developers
5.) Virtual Inequality
6.) Community Impact Training Institute – T4T Upcoming Classes
________________________________________________________________________

1.) Youth Environmental Leadership and Solidarity Camp
United Communities Southeast Philadelphia is currently offering Youth Environmental Leadership and Solidarity Camp. The camp is focus on developing valuable leadership skills and ethnic understanding through working for the environment in their community. If you know of any student grades 7-9 who are interested in attending summer camp, please contact Valeria Kremser @ 215 467-8700 Ext 27.

back to top

2.) Grantsmanship Training Program
Want to learn to write competitive grant proposals? Plan to attend the Grantsmanship Training Program hosted by Greater Philadelphia Health Action, Inc., December 8-12, 2003. This five-day "hands-on" program takes you step-by-step through all states of planning programs and locating funding sources. The workshop will be conducted by The Grantsmanship Center, the world's oldest and largest training organization for the nonprofit section, and held at Greater Philadelphia Health Action, Inc.

For registration information, call The Grantsmanship Center at 800-421-9512.
Grantsmanship Center URL: www.tgci.com

Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan has a great resource for grant writers here:
http://stabenow.senate.gov/services/grants.htm

back to top

3.) Discounted Software
Discounted Software TechSoup.com offers software at discounted rates for nonprofit organizations - go to www.techsoup.org for more details and click on the “find donated and discounted products” link.

back to top

4.) A Guide for Education Publishers and Developers Software & Information Industry Association's (SIIA) Scientifically Based Research: A Guide for Education Publishers and Developers
The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) recently announced the release of Scientifically Based Research: A Guide for Education Publishers & Developers. Written for the education technology and content community, the Guide is intended to be a definitive reference for developers seeking to meet the federal requirement for scientifically based research (SBR) on the effectiveness of school interventions such as software. The Guide was produced to address the specific needs of the educational publishing community and the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. Apex Learning CEO and co-chair of SIIA's Education Division Board, Sue Collins, has this to say,
"By providing this one-stop primer on meeting the NCLB's research provisions, SIIA helps publishers better answer educators' important research questions,"

The 80+page Guide includes definitions, models and practical answers necessary for companies to develop and implement a research agenda to inform product development,
document a product's research basis and validate product effectiveness.

"While there has been a great deal of discussion about SBR, we realized that nobody had effectively responded to publishers' practical need for actionable information,"

said Ken Wasch, president of SIIA.

"Our members looked to SIIA for guidance and insight, and we responded in cooperation with AEL's and IESD's expertise," added Mark Schneiderman, SIIA Director of Education Policy and the Guide's editor.

"SIIA saw a need and responded," said Mona Westhaver, president and co- founder of Inspiration Software, Inc. and co-chair of SIIA's Education Division board.

“The SIIA's Guide is a much-needed primer on scientifically based educational research for companies developing educational technology resources. As a leader in the standards-based movement and a strong proponent of integrating technology into the classroom, the American Federation of Teachers hopes this guide will lead to valuable software products, publications and other services that could enhance teachers'
efforts to improve student achievement.”

Statement by the American Federation of Teachers on SIIA's Scientifically Based
Research Guide. The full statement may be read at the following URL: www.prnewswire.com

back to top

5.) Virtual Inequality: New national digital divide study
Within the next couple of weeks Georgetown University Press will publish a book by three Kent State University professors that reports a major new national poll on digital divide issues. The book is "Virtual Inequality: Beyond the Digital Divide", by Karen Mossberger, Caroline Tolbert and Mary Stansbury. The domain where you can find the book is www.press.georgetown.edu. Mossberger and Stansbury led a workshop on their findings at the Ohio Community Computing Network conference in May, and Mossberger has been working with a Cleveland Digital Vision committee planning a benchmark poll of city residents this fall. Their book lays out the findings of a poll of about 2000 U.S. households conducted last summer.

back to top

6.) Community Impact Training Institute - TEAMING FOR TECHNOLOGY - Upcoming Classes

Computer Lab Instructor Workshop
This workshop focuses on how to teach computer classes with the goal of matching the instruction and content to the students’ needs and interests. Areas of focus will include: training site preparation and logistical and physical arrangements, developing course materials that are matched to the audience and adapting when needed, communication and presentation, and the importance of timely and relevant feedback for clarification.

Time: 7/23 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. **
Location: R.W. Brown Community Center
Trainer: Caring People Alliance Staff
Cost: $75 ($60*)

Educational Software and Websites
Learn how to evaluate websites and software and what types of software is necessary for a successful lab experience for users. Examine language aids, teaching aids, special purpose software and websites (Focuses on grades K-12).

Time: 7/30 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. **
Location: R.W. Brown Community Center
Trainer: Caring People Alliance Staff
Cost: $40 ($32*)

Community Outreach for CTC Managers
CTCs can often be a hub of community activity providing classes, Internet access, and places for business creation and business development. Learn how to market your CTC so that the resources of your lab are fully realized.

Time: 7/30 1:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. **
Location: R.W. Brown Community Center
Trainer: Caring People Alliance Staff
Cost: $40 ($32*)

PC Maintenance Essentials
This hardware-focused class provides the framework for understanding how computers work from the inside out. It will teach you how to upgrade PCs by adding and replacing components and how to troubleshoot and fix common PC problems so that you won’t have to call for help. The advantage to both user and agency is that users are less dependant on tech support and repair services.
Time: 8/6 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Urban Technology Project
Trainer: Ron Isaac
Cost: $75 ($60*)

Sustaining a CTC
This Class focuses on sustaining operations for existing Community Technology Centers. This includes: developing a business plan, fundraising, community partnership opportunities, preparing for upgrades and maintenance and improving programs and class offerings.

Time: 8/13 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. **
Location: United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania
Trainer: Teaming for Technology Staff
Cost: $40 ($32*)

SPECIAL SUMMER ICDL SERIES

Preparation classes for non-profit staff and individuals seeking to earn their International Computer Driver’s License, a standard for basic technological literacy. All classes wil be from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm at our Reboot Location in Center City. The cost for each of these classes is $40 for non-T4T members and $32 for members.

7/19 Internet Basics
This workshop instructs on how to perform basic Web tasks such as using search engines, bookmarking results and searching reports. You will also learn how to use electronic mail software to send and receive messages, to attach documents or files to a message and to organize and manage message folders or directories within electronic mail software.

7/26 Word Processing Basics
You will learn to use a word processing application on a personal computer. You will be able to accomplish basic operations associated with creating, formatting and finishing a word processing document ready for distribution.

7/31 Databases with Microsoft Access
This workshop will enable you design and plan a simple database using a standard database package. You will also learn how to retrieve information from an existing database by using the query, select and sort tools available in the database.

8/2 Advanced Word Processing Basics
This class is an excellent follow-up to the Word Processing Basics class. At the end of this course, you will be able to demonstrate competence in using some of the advanced features associated with word processing applications.

8/9 Spreadsheets with Excel
This workshop focuses on the basic concepts of spreadsheets and the ability to use a spreadsheet application on a personal computer.

8/16 Presentations with Power Point
Skills taught in this workshop include creating, formatting and preparing presentations for distribution and display. The workshop includes basic operations with graphics, charts and different slide show effects.

*Cost for members of the T4T Assistance Program.
**Customized trainings can be scheduled for alternate times.

For more information about the scheduled courses, to register or to inquire about customized trainings please contact Raphael Baker at Rafaelb@uwsepa.org or 215-665-2525
For a complete list of trainings please see www.uwsepa.org/team4tech

Training Locations:
R.W. Brown Community Center
1701 N. 8th St.

West Philadelphia Community Center
3514 Haverford Ave.

United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania
17th & Ben Franklin Parkway.

Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children
Robert Morris Bldg
100 N. 17th St, 8th Fl

Fels South Philadelphia Community Center
2407 S. Broad St. (Broad & Ritner)

Reboot Philadelphia
1315 Spruce Street (Irving Street entrance)

T4T NEWSLETTER JULY 2003
back to top