INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Like most schools, Broad Ripple High
School provides computer labs for students who may not have personal computers
at home, but those students may be few and far between soon.
Governor Frank O'Bannon joined today with Gateway Inc. (NYSE: GTW) to
announce that the company will be offering more affordable computers and
Internet access to more than 1.5 million Indiana educators, students and state
employees. (1:30 p.m. Broad Ripple High School media center.)
"The amount of instantly accessible information on the Internet is
fascinating to someone who put his high school research papers together using
the Dewey Decimal system and the card catalogue at the school library,"
O'Bannon said. "In today's digital world, we need to do more than offer
discounted prices for computer products, we must ensure that every student has
the opportunity to access the Internet."
Gateway Chief Executive Officer, Jeff Weitzen, said his company chose
Indiana to begin what it hopes will be a nationwide program because of the
state's strong interest in helping students get access to the Information
Superhighway. Indiana is believed to be the first state in the nation to
offer such a program.
"The world is literally at your fingertips when you can access the
Internet," Weitzen said. "Students' access to the Internet shouldn't end when
the school bell rings, so we're thrilled to have such a great partner in
building this bridge for Hoosier kids to help improve the way they live,
learn, work and play."
O'Bannon, partnering with the state Department of Education, sought help
from the computer and telecommunications industries to offer the discounted
computers and Internet service. Gateway is the first, and so far the only,
company to meet the state's standards.
Hoosiers who live in areas where the communications infrastructure is
already in place will be able to immediately participate in the program, which
will be offered by Gateway.net. Under its contract, Gateway will expand the
service over three years to serve the remaining areas of the state.
The program offers students, educators and state employees three plans for
greater digital access:
-- A variety of options to finance a new Gateway computer and obtain
Internet access, starting as low as $24 to $30 per month;
-- 10 percent off the purchase price of a new Gateway computer; or
-- A variety of options for Internet access, starting at about $10 per
month.
"With the digital economy becoming a major driving force behind our
state's economic well being, we must ensure that all Hoosiers have the
technical tools and skills they'll need to thrive in this new environment,"
O'Bannon said. "Through this new program, we are helping to bridge the
digital divide that is keeping some Hoosiers from having those skills and
tools, and we're also helping schools strengthen their computer-based
instruction with the Indiana Web Academy."
To take advantage of the program, students, teachers and parents can visit
any Gateway Country or Office Max store in Indiana. Or, they may place orders
by calling 1-800-Gateway or by logging on to the Indiana Web Academy website
at http://www.indianawebacademy.org. Participants must mention their affiliation
with the program to the sales representative at the time of placing an order
to obtain the discount.
O'Bannon worked with the Department of Education and the Intelenet
Commission to develop the Indiana Web Academy, first as a pilot program, as a
way to help schools help students, parents and teachers make productive use of
Internet technology both at home and at school. The Indiana Web Academy is
now available to all Indiana schools.
"Some parents who work late shifts or have other obligations can't easily
call their kids' teachers during regular hours," O'Bannon said. "But with
this online service, they can reach out to their schools and keep up with
their kids. It's a great deal for anyone who takes part."
The Indiana Web Academy offers online educational services that:
-- Provide comprehensive web training for students, teachers, and parents;
-- Enable students, parents and teachers to track grades, homework
assignments and attendance online;
-- Enable teachers and parents to communicate about students' academic
progress; and
-- Supply curriculum to schools for courses for high school students who
can earn web design certification as well as academic credit.
SOURCE Gateway Inc.; The Office of the Governor of Indiana
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Related links:
http://www.gateway.com
CONTACT:
Reporters, Phil Bremen or Cheryl Reed of The
Office of the Governor of Indiana, 317-232-4578; or Tyson Heyn of
Gateway, 858-799-2587; or Ken Scales or Kelly Jones of Intelenet
Commission, 317-233-8990
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