Educators & Students

Over the next 10 years, Pennsylvania’s telecommunications infrastructure will bridge the digital divide by providing equitable access to high-speed Internet and distance education resources in support of more effective teaching and learning, and communication and management. Pennsylvania’s education information highway will facilitate a 24/7 educational environment that connects to students’ lives, teaches 21st century skills, and prepares learners for a Job Ready, PA.

High-speed connectivity supported through this initiative will allow students and teachers to share learning opportunities across vast distances where rural, currently underserved schools will have access to the same educational technology opportunities as schools located in bandwidth-rich regions of the state. With high-speed connectivity, schools will also be able to leverage local, regional, and statewide partnerships to purchase a variety of services such as:

  • Internet filtering or firewall services
  • Improved communication services (video, voice and data)
  • Digitally distributed or online instructional materials (encyclopedias, videos, text books, tutorials)

Common access to this high-speed connectivity can also facilitate the sharing of educational resources like:

  • Instructional staff (virtual classrooms, virtual field trips, virtual substitutes, virtual mentors)
  • Instructional materials (broadcast of content on-demand, redistribution of content from building to building, direct and interactive access from home)
  • Curriculum development (best practices video libraries, on-line curriculum writing, curriculum databases)
  • Administrative support (HR services, E-commerce, network administration services, video and voice conferencing)
  • Community access to online learning resources (GED classes, college courses, town meetings, public health training)

And being able to communicate and share across school entities will support aggregating services such as:

  • Web-based Application Software Provider services (financial, student, e-learning)
  • Community outreach services (libraries, senior action centers, fire departments, government)
  • Technology support services (helpdesk services, knowledge management databases, technology training, certification testing)

In order to help every student in Pennsylvania receive a 21st century education, the Commonwealth will provide the following assistance:

  • An estimated $350 million will be available to schools to help bridge the digital divide.
  • Education Technology Fund (E-Fund) competitive grants will award $60 million over six years to schools, and entities, including Intermediate Units, for broadband connections, equipment, technical assistance, distance learning and other related services.
  • Telephone companies will offer schools a 30% or greater discount on broadband service.

Find out how your school can apply for an E-Fund Grant.

For more information contact:

Kathleen Brautigam
Director
Bureau of Educational Technology
ra-act183@state.pa.us
717-705-4486