Technology Access

One key component for many schools in providing Continuity of Education while schools are closed for prolonged periods of time is through the use of online content and resources. The information below contains suggestions and considerations for schools regarding three key areas. First access to the internet, second making hardware available where needed, and third providing access to tools that will allow students and teachers to interact and collaborate.

Consideration (both for Option A and Option B): General Technology Considerations

• As this pandemic progresses, any contact will carry potential risk. This could cause problems with delivery of devices/hardware to those without.

• Enrichment opportunities, rather than Continuity of Education, could be the best option for many without internet access and or specific devices.

  • Enrichment opportunities could be carried out through various off-line applications (downloaded ipad apps that need no network connection)

  • Enrichment seems the best way of equally distributing accessible content for the varying needs between districts and or students with disabilities, etc.

Resource: Internet/Broadband Access Resource Links

• Comcast

  • https://corporate.comcast.com/covid-19

  • Free XFinity WIFI hotspots (public spaces)

  • Data caps paused for 60 days, all plans temporarily unlimited

  • Internet Essentials (normally $9.95/mo) for low income households are now free for 60 days

• Verizon Wireless

  • https://www.verizon.com/about/news/our-response-coronavirus

• Verizon FiOS

  • https://www.verizon.com/about/news/verizons-covid-19-relief-efforts

• T-Mobile

  • https://www.t-mobile.com/news/t-mobile-update-on-covid-19-response

  • Existing customers with data plans automatically moved to Unlimited SMartphone Data for 60 days (excluding roaming)

  • Data allowance extended to schools and students to provide 20GB of data/month for 60 days

• Sprint

  • https://newsroom.sprint.com/covid-19-updates-sprint-responds.htm

  • Existing customers with metered data plans will be moved to unlimited plans for 60 days (expected ready on 3/20/2020)

• AT&T

  • https://about.att.com/pages/COVID-19.html

  • Additionally, they will continue to offer internet access for qualifying limited income households at $10 a month through our Access from AT&T program.

  • AT&T Wifi is also free (not sure about timing for how long)

• RCN

  • https://www.rcn.com/hub/about-rcn/coronavirus/

  • No reported special changes to network at this point

• US Cellular

  • https://www.uscellular.com/covid-19

  • Waiving late fees, not terminating accounts

  • Wifi hotspots open for the next 60 days

Consideration: Availability of Hardware

• Lending Libraries

  • Chromebook, iPads, Android tablets

    • How do we communicate these services? Google Form?

• 1:1 options

• Vendor Opportunities

• Assistive Technology

• Speech Therapy, or other in-person trainings

• Collaboration to create a lending library across IU’s - if possible spread resources more efficiently

Resources: Remote Collaboration Tools

All of the following tools allow group-based or one-on-one discussions, collaboration, screen sharing, and other engagement opportunities. Most districts or IU’s will already have some level of familiarity with Google G-Suite or Microsoft Office 365, though there are other options listed that districts or IU’s may want to leverage.

• Cisco WebEx

  • Details at https://www.webex.com

  • Free licenses for 90 days

    • Existing customers can also request additional licenses

  • Can use for remote meetings, telepresence, instruction, etc.

• Zoom

  • Details at https://blog.zoom.us/wordpress/2020/03/13/how-to-use-zoom-for-online-learning/

  • 40 minute limit removed from Basic accounts (free)

  • Partnered with Clever for integrations

• Microsoft Teams

  • Details for users and administrators at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2020/03/05/our-commitment-to-customers-during-covid-19/

  • Free to use, setup support is also free from Microsoft

  • Teams is available in O365 A1 licensing, which is free for educational institutions and included in A3 or A5 licensing as well.

• GoToMeeting/LogMeIn

  • Details for administrators at https://www.gotomeeting.com/work-remote

  • 3 Months of free usage

• Google Meet

  • https://support.google.com/edu/classroom/thread/32576916?hl=en

• Discord

  • https://blog.discordapp.com/helping-out-where-we-can-3a5fb7bac77a

  • Classroom sizes increased to 50 (up from 10) , free

    • https://www.scivision.dev/discord-virtual-classroom/ shows how a professor utilizes the software as a classroom

• Slack

  • https://slackhq.com/business-continuity-plan-covid-19

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