Reaching Offline Learners Through Datacasting To Close the Digital Divide

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Location: Room 291-2
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Snapshots are a pairing of two 20 minute presentations followed by a 5 minute Q & A.
This is presentation 1 of 2, scroll down to see more details.

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Presentation 2: Google Admin Tips and Tricks

Jigar Patel
Ben Smith
Students who cannot connect to the internet at home are at a significant disadvantage. We will explore the technology of datacasting to reach offline learners. Datacasting refers to using broadcast signals to securely transmit data that can be used by a computer. Come hear about an international partnership with PBS.

Audience:	Chief technology officers/superintendents/school board members, Curriculum/district specialists, Technology coordinators/facilitators
Skill level:	Beginner
Attendee devices:	Devices useful
Attendee device specification:	Smartphone: Android, iOS, Windows Laptop: Chromebook, Mac, PC Tablet: Android, iOS, Windows
Participant accounts, software and other materials:	Participants will access the datacasting platform through 1 common student user account and password which will be shared in the session. No downloads are needed. Participants only need a browser window.
Topic:	Distance, online & blended learning
Grade level:	PK-12
ISTE Standards:	For Education Leaders: Equity and Citizenship Advocate Ensure all students have access to the technology and connectivity necessary to participate in authentic and engaging learning opportunities. For Educators: Citizen Establish a learning culture that promotes curiosity and critical examination of online resources and fosters digital literacy and media fluency. For Students: Empowered Learner Students build networks and customize their learning environments in ways that support the learning process.

Proposal summary

Purpose & objective

Objectives:
- To provide attendees with information on what is datacasting, who it can help and why it is important.
- To provide attendees with a demonstration and use case of datacasting.
- To provide attendees with ways to get involved in providing supports to offline learners.

Outline

1. Introduction and Welcome - Survey of participants regarding the number of offline learners they have. Open discussion / sharing of how to work with offline learners. (5 mintues)
2. Overview of Datacasting (5 minutes)
3. Demonstration of the Datacasting portal
a. Teacher side (5 minutes)
b. Student side (5 minutes)
c. Participants will test out equipment on their own as students (5 minutes)
4. Description of use cases of datacasting & Q&A (5 minutes)

Supporting research

Overview of Datacasting - https://pennsylvaniapbs.org/learning-at-home/datacasting/

- South Carolina initiative - https://www.scetv.org/education/services-school-districts/datacasting

- Homeland Security overview of technology - https://www.dhs.gov/publication/st-datacasting-fact-sheet

How datacasting can bridge the digital divide: https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2021/01/how-datacasting-can-help-bridge-digital-divide

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Presenters

Ben Smith, Lincoln Intermediate Unit 12

Ben is the Assistant Director of Technology at the Lincoln Intermediate Unit, a service agency in Pennsylvania. Ben has engaged in professional development across the globe in his consultancy, EdTechInnovators. He is a former ISTE Board of Directors member and was the Regional Program Chair for the 2019 ISTE Conference in Philadelphia. Ben is the President of PAECT, the PA ISTE Affiliate. He is an ISTE Certified Educator and delivers the ISTE Certification as his organization is a provider (CAP).