October 21, 1994 EDUCATION FIRST BRIEFING PACKAGE Pacific Bell intends to offer linkage to computer communications and interactive telelearning to each of the nearly 8,600 K-12 schools, libraries and Community Colleges in its service area by the end of 1996. These applications are part of Pacific Bell's Knowledge Network which uses the public network for providing voice, video and data access to learning resources. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: Q. What is Pacific Bell offering? A. Subject to regulatory approval, each qualifying institution can get free installation of up to 4 ISDN lines, 1 for TeleComputing and 3 for Interactive TeleLearning. In addition, Pacific Bell will waive the usage charges for the first year after installation. This includes the wiring of up to 2 rooms at each school and library, if needed. Pacific may provide one additional line of ISDN if the school or library chooses to use a ÒhubÓ architecture to support their TeleComputing needs. Q. When will this happen? A. Effective with regulatory approval. Applications will be accepted through 1996. Q. Is ISDN available in my area? A. ISDN is currently available in 63% of the communities Pacific Bell serves. Over the course of the next three years, the length of this offering, every school and library in our service territory will have access to ISDN. Q. If a school wants more than 4 ISDN lines, can they purchase them? A. Yes. Schools may order additional ISDN lines for computer communications, video and other applications at their own expense. Q. Does the offer apply to private schools? A. Pacific Bell is requesting approval from the California Public Utilities Commission to add most private, non-profit schools to the program. This request is separate from our original request which covered public schools, communities colleges and public libraries. Q. Are Community Colleges included? A. Yes. Community Colleges within Pacific Bell's serving area are included because of their critical role in helping with the State's economic recovery through training and local community economic development programs. Q. Are all libraries included? A. All public libraries within Pacific Bell's serving area are included. Q. Will you reach the rural areas? A. This program extends to all of Pacific Bell's service area, urban and rural. Q. What is the selection process? A. All qualified K-12 schools, libraries and Community Colleges will receive an application once we have regulatory approval to begin. If the institution meets the requirement, Pacific Bell will call and discuss the specifics and deployment schedule. Q. Can individual schools apply, or only districts? A. This offering is for schools in Pacific Bell's service area. However, check with the district for any district policies that might be applicable. Q. What happens after the first year? What is the cost? A. Pacific Bell is developing a proposal for a Special Education Access Rate, subject to regulatory approval. We expect to file an Advice Letter with the CPUC in the first quarter of 1995. Q. What about long distance charges? A. Any calls handled by Pacific Bell, local or toll, are included. Charges by long distance carriers are not included. Q. Will schools be able to use the hardware they have in place, or will they need to invest in new equipment? A. Some schools will be able to connect now with the telecomputing equipment and systems in they have in place today. Others will need to augment existing equipment. We anticipate most schools will need new equipment to take advantage of this offering. Q. How will you help the schools get personal computers, video equipment, telephones, etc.? A. Pacific Bell will continue working with the organizations such as the Detwiler Foundation for computer donations and industry associations such as the Industry Council for Technology and Learning as ways of accelerating the infusion of technology into the classroom. In addition, we will become more aggressive in building alliances with both public and private institutions and with educational technology vendors committed to this cause. Q. How can interested businesses get involved in the donation of computers? A. Call the Detwiler Foundation on 1-800-939-6000. Q. What training on these services will be provided? A. Pacific Bell will provide written references, tools and educational aids and staff an education resource team to work with teachers and librarians. This team will provide assitance in both the use of technology and related equipment as well as integrating the new learning systems into curriculum. In addition, there are associations such as Computer Using Educators in place today to help teachers in the effective use of new technology. Q. Is information on Education First available on Internet or via a bulletin board service? A. Yes. Pacific Bell has a bulletin board which contains information on our initiative, where ISDN is available, and information on many Pacific Bell products. For computers with modems, dial (510) 277-1037 or 1-800-336-1037 For computers with ISDN, dial (510) 823-4888 On the Internet, use Gopher. The address is: gopher.pacbell.com In addition, E-Mail can be sent via the Internet. The address is: education@pacbell.com Q. Does the Department of Education endorse this initiative? A. Yes. This initiative is endorsed by the California Department of Education, the U. S. Department of Education, the Chancellor's Office of the State's Community Colleges and the State Librarian. Q. Describe how an individual child or classroom would use this. A. For Interactive TeleLearning, two classes would connect using the network, TV monitors, cameras and microphones. The students and teachers at one site would see and hear the participants at the other site. They would interact and be both seen and heard. For TeleComputing, a person at a single computer or a class in a computer lab would dial into an on-line database or the Internet and access information, possibly download information, exchange electronic mail, engage in collaborative projects with classes anywhere in the world and do research. Q. What else is Pacific Bell doing to help schools/education? A. Pacific is providing ClassLink, a home-school voice mail communications service, at a special education rate. We are working with the Detwiler Foundation and donating used computers to schools. We are testing the Knowledge Network Gateway service at sites across the state. The Gateway is designed to make access and navigation of on-line services and the Internet easier for teachers and students. We are engaged in special educational projects involving voice, video and data services and we are involved in educational technology issues at the local, state and national levels. In addition, the company encourages its managers to volunteer in classrooms, assisting in teaching, special projects and mentoring. Q. What is the Internet and how does it figure into this? A. The Internet is a network of networks linking schools, libraries, research institutions, colleges and universities and some businesses. The Internet supports research, collaboration, worldwide electronic mail and a host of educational electronic learning opportunities. Pacific Bell, by providing free ISDN for use by a computer lab, is making it easier for a school or library to access the Internet. However, the school will still need the necessary hardware, software and Internet account to complete the total solution.