This article is about a technology school inspired by college students that got the school board to start teaming up with Microsoft to build a technology based school in a economically disadvantaged neighborhood in Philadelphia and then in Austin. Many college students in the University of Texas have noticed that the k-12 schools in the area are not up to date with the use of technology and one particular school only 6 miles away from the college was in desperate need because many of the students attending came from economically disadvantaged families. So the pushed the school board to review the school of the future in Philadelphia and notice how Microsoft helped changed the entire school around. In the school of the future, Microsoft donated tons of new technology's and also equipped a laptop with each student, but the major factor or stipulation was that each of the 750 students attending the school of the future, they would have to apply for a 4 year college. This plan is what the Austin college students and school board would like to see come to Travis High School. The process are still in motion, but Microsoft and the Texas school board are very optimistic for the upgrading of this school and many more like it around the nation.
While i was reading this article, i was really encouraged to see that other colleges around the nation are out there helping the local schools in the area. I mean i am sure FGCU helps other schools, by providing interns and other stuff like that, but i can bet some good money than many of the students here would not go to the lengths that the students at UT are taking to upgrade a local school. Microsoft is doing a great deed to society (and for their themselves) by donating equipment to base a school around and really focus on the students educational career. It would be real nice to see other major production companies to start doing similar acts of kindness. Maybe we will see in the future Apple providing technology for schools. Wouldn't it be nice to see hundreds of schools around the country equipped with tons of technology, donated by a major company. That would change the way our ability to teach and learn in those schools and those students would have a great advantage right from the start of their high school career. I learned that a little effort by anybody,especially a group of college students can put for a goal and see it completed. I only hope to have the opportunity to be apart of a similar act in the future.
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2 comments:
Wow this article sounds so interesting. I love that the college students were so determined to help out. Also, it is great what microsoft is doing in those schools. Are all of the computers donated or does the school board pay for all or part of them? I am just curious about how all the costs are covered. Also, I am glad that they are making the students appy to college. My guess is that many of those students would never think to apply to college because they think they could never get in. I really like this plan. Also, I had heard very breifly about Dell doing something similar, do you know anything about that?
I was really impressed as well on how students are getting engaged in the local k-12 schools in the area. I am not sure how much is donated or paid for, the article does not go in that far in detail. It basically said that they are providing financially for the school. I have not heard anything about dell doing similar actions, but it would not surprise that they would take the same actions as their competitors have already taken. But they can fight it out for customers, but all we care about as future teachers is that they are providing financially for the local schools. It is great to see, i will look out for updates with dell and will hope that you will do the same.
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