NetDay
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
NetDay is a volunteer project to contribute the resources of world high-technology companies to schools, libraries and clinics world-wide to connect them to the Internet. NetDay's stated mission is to "connect every child to a brighter future by helping educators meet educational goals through the effective use of technology."
NetDay is a United Sates non-profit, education technology organization with their headquarters in Irvine, California.
[edit] Background
John Gage created NetDay in 1995 to help solve a school computer infrastructure dilemma in the state of California.
Over the course of one Saturday, a school would get connected and ready to use the Internet in the library and classrooms. It would involve an army of volunteers from the community including parents, teachers, businesses and students would spend the day drilling holes and pulling wires, and securing network cables in place. Schools nominated at least five connection sites, including the library and the cables are run along the ceilings down walls, through walls and through doorways to these sites to be connected.
In 1996, NetDay created considerable excitement amongst participating schools although some noted that when schools lack even basic resources like library books, access to the Internet should not be a priority. Others have disagreed, indicating that funding was sourced from the private sector to renovate the school library and create a multimedia center. [1]
In the United States from 1996 to 2001, over 500,000 volunteers wired more than 75,000 classrooms. NetDays have occurred in over thirty countries. [2]
Organisers of the first European NetDay in October 1997 emphasized individual experiences at linking with schools abroad and encouraged the development of regional and local school networks.[3]
[edit] Current work
Today, the work of NetDay in the United States helps balance hands-on, school-based projects and national awareness initiatives. On October 2003, NetDay launched the first annual Speak Up Day, an online student survey of technology use, giving a voice to other 210,000 participants from all 50 states to other stakeholders.
In 2005 NetDay joined with Project Tomorrow, a California nonprofit involved with math and science education. The organization is continuing to work with schools to inprove the use of technology in education.
