Info Technology Empowerment Center

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Info Technology Empowerment Center iTEC-Lansing
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What is iTEC-Lansing?

• A technology center designed to empower Lansing
  area residents
• A place that provides equal access to technology
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• A collaborative effort between community,
  industry, and education

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ITEC-Lansing community partnership
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Vision

• Enable Lansing area residents to acquire
  flexible, transferable technology skills that
  allow them to participate in a global economy.

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Objective

• Engage youth in technology-based activities
  designed to enhance performance in science,
  technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
• Empower residents to acquire technology skills

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Why?

• Math, science, and technological skills are a
  prerequisite for success in the 21st century
• Information Technology industry is one of the
  fastest growing
• Student interest is far below demand
• Digital Divide precludes Michigan youth from
  entering these professions

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Who will benefit?
Lansing Schools
Community
Technology Learners Acquire flexible,
transferable skills
Business
Higher Education
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A unique approach

• Guided play and experiential learning
• Engages student interest
• Cool technology
• Real-world applications

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Why it works

• Computer technology facilitates learning and
  performance when it supports the four
  fundamentals of learning
• Active engagement
• Participation in groups
• Frequent interaction and feedback
• Connections to real-world contexts
• (Roschelle et al., 2000)

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iTEC Location Holmes Street School

• Supportive community with active neighborhood
  association
• Ideal for bringing MSU to Lansing
• Facility allows room for growth
• Co-location will allow the university, schools,
  the community, and businesses to collaborate and
  learn from one another

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MSU Contributions

• Classroom technology
• Research conducted on site benefits education
• Kids learn from college student role models
• Faculty and staff volunteer expertise
• computer science, systems administration

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Programs

• Science
• Technology and Engineering
• Mathematics
• Writing and Literacy
• Computing seminars

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Features

• Computer labs- classes and workshops, including
  computer maintenance and repair
• Collaboration- university outreach, start-up
  companies, and youth organizations
• Research- multi-disciplinary research that
  investigates how kids use technology to learn and
  best practices for teaching with technology
• Community Media Center- public access television,
  new media and web-based development, and written
  expression

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Technology learners

• Initial target audience of 100 children,
  primarily high school and middle school
• Center programs also serve community members and
  children outside this range

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Short term goals

• Enrich learning experience with center programs
• Inspire families to get involved
• Conduct MSU research on how kids learn
• Create support network where kids can get help
• Provide experiential learning / volunteer
  opportunities for MSU students
• Train MSU students to update and maintain school
  district computers

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Long term goals

• MSU Boldness by Design objectives
• Enhance the student experience
• Enrich community, economic and family life
• Promote better outcomes in STEM disciplines
• Increase pool of trained technology professionals
• Increase enrollment in LCC, MSU tech programs

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Benefits for Lansing

• Build Lansings reputation as a high-tech city
• Enrich community, economic, and family life for
  students and families
• Increase enthusiasm for and participation in STEM
  disciplines
• Expand access to technology for students and
  families
• Promote synergy among private and public
  institutions

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Benefits for Industry

• Partnerships with community, local schools, and
  MSU
• Prepare a new generation of workers
• Foster a stronger IT community in Lansing
• Potential for recruiting
• Demonstrate commitment to education

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Benefits for MSU

• Community outreach and engagement
• Provide experiential learning / volunteer
  opportunities to MSU students
• Strengthen ties to local schools, industry
• Conduct research on how kids learn

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Become part of our vision

• Find out how you can participate
• http//www.iteclansing.org