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1995-03-20
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October 21, 1994
EDUCATION FIRST
BRIEFING PACKAGE
Pacific Bell intends to offer linkage to computer communications and interactive
telelearning to each of the nearly 8,600 K-12 schools, libraries and Community
Colleges in its service area by the end of 1996. These applications are part of
Pacific Bell's Knowledge Network which uses the public network for providing
voice, video and data access to learning resources.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Q. What is Pacific Bell offering?
A. Subject to regulatory approval, each qualifying institution can get free
installation of up to 4 ISDN lines, 1 for TeleComputing and 3 for Interactive
TeleLearning. In addition, Pacific Bell will waive the usage charges for the
first year after installation. This includes the wiring of up to 2 rooms at each
school and library, if needed. Pacific may provide one additional line of
ISDN if the school or library chooses to use a ╥hub╙ architecture to support
their TeleComputing needs.
Q. When will this happen?
A. Effective with regulatory approval. Applications will be accepted through
1996.
Q. Is ISDN available in my area?
A. ISDN is currently available in 63% of the communities Pacific Bell serves.
Over the course of the next three years, the length of this offering, every
school and library in our service territory will have access to ISDN.
Q. If a school wants more than 4 ISDN lines, can they purchase them?
A. Yes. Schools may order additional ISDN lines for computer communications,
video and other applications at their own expense.
Q. Does the offer apply to private schools?
A. Pacific Bell is requesting approval from the California Public Utilities
Commission to add most private, non-profit schools to the program. This
request is separate from our original request which covered public schools,
communities colleges and public libraries.
Q. Are Community Colleges included?
A. Yes. Community Colleges within Pacific Bell's serving area are included
because of their critical role in helping with the State's economic recovery
through training and local community economic development programs.
Q. Are all libraries included?
A. All public libraries within Pacific Bell's serving area are included.
Q. Will you reach the rural areas?
A. This program extends to all of Pacific Bell's service area, urban and rural.
Q. What is the selection process?
A. All qualified K-12 schools, libraries and Community Colleges will receive an
application once we have regulatory approval to begin. If the institution
meets the requirement, Pacific Bell will call and discuss the specifics and
deployment schedule.
Q. Can individual schools apply, or only districts?
A. This offering is for schools in Pacific Bell's service area. However, check with
the district for any district policies that might be applicable.
Q. What happens after the first year? What is the cost?
A. Pacific Bell is developing a proposal for a Special Education Access Rate,
subject to regulatory approval. We expect to file an Advice Letter with the
CPUC in the first quarter of 1995.
Q. What about long distance charges?
A. Any calls handled by Pacific Bell, local or toll, are included. Charges by long
distance carriers are not included.
Q. Will schools be able to use the hardware they have in place, or will they need to invest
in new equipment?
A. Some schools will be able to connect now with the telecomputing equipment
and systems in they have in place today. Others will need to augment
existing equipment. We anticipate most schools will need new equipment to
take advantage of this offering.
Q. How will you help the schools get personal computers, video equipment, telephones,
etc.?
A. Pacific Bell will continue working with the organizations such as the Detwiler
Foundation for computer donations and industry associations such as the
Industry Council for Technology and Learning as ways of accelerating the
infusion of technology into the classroom. In addition, we will become more
aggressive in building alliances with both public and private institutions and
with educational technology vendors committed to this cause.
Q. How can interested businesses get involved in the donation of computers?
A. Call the Detwiler Foundation on 1-800-939-6000.
Q. What training on these services will be provided?
A. Pacific Bell will provide written references, tools and educational aids and
staff an education resource team to work with teachers and librarians. This
team will provide assitance in both the use of technology and related
equipment as well as integrating the new learning systems into curriculum.
In addition, there are associations such as Computer Using Educators in place
today to help teachers in the effective use of new technology.
Q. Is information on Education First available on Internet or via a bulletin board
service?
A. Yes. Pacific Bell has a bulletin board which contains information on our
initiative, where ISDN is available, and information on many Pacific Bell
products.
For computers with modems, dial (510) 277-1037 or 1-800-336-1037
For computers with ISDN, dial (510) 823-4888
On the Internet, use Gopher. The address is: gopher.pacbell.com
In addition, E-Mail can be sent via the Internet. The address is:
education@pacbell.com
Q. Does the Department of Education endorse this initiative?
A. Yes. This initiative is endorsed by the California Department of Education,
the U. S. Department of Education, the Chancellor's Office of the State's
Community Colleges and the State Librarian.
Q. Describe how an individual child or classroom would use this.
A. For Interactive TeleLearning, two classes would connect using the network,
TV monitors, cameras and microphones. The students and teachers at one
site would see and hear the participants at the other site. They would interact
and be both seen and heard. For TeleComputing, a person at a single
computer or a class in a computer lab would dial into an on-line database or
the Internet and access information, possibly download information,
exchange electronic mail, engage in collaborative projects with classes
anywhere in the world and do research.
Q. What else is Pacific Bell doing to help schools/education?
A. Pacific is providing ClassLink, a home-school voice mail communications
service, at a special education rate. We are working with the Detwiler
Foundation and donating used computers to schools. We are testing the
Knowledge Network Gateway service at sites across the state. The Gateway
is designed to make access and navigation of on-line services and the Internet
easier for teachers and students. We are engaged in special educational
projects involving voice, video and data services and we are involved in
educational technology issues at the local, state and national levels.
In addition, the company encourages its managers to volunteer in classrooms,
assisting in teaching, special projects and mentoring.
Q. What is the Internet and how does it figure into this?
A. The Internet is a network of networks linking schools, libraries, research
institutions, colleges and universities and some businesses. The Internet
supports research, collaboration, worldwide electronic mail and a host of
educational electronic learning opportunities. Pacific Bell, by providing free
ISDN for use by a computer lab, is making it easier for a school or library to
access the Internet. However, the school will still need the necessary
hardware, software and Internet account to complete the total solution.