When I was in High School at John Jay from 1974-1979, I took three computer classes: APL, Fortran, and BASIC. The computers in the entire High School consisted of two DECwriter printer, keyboard terminals with 300 baud modems. We'd dial the phone number of ERIE One BOCES on an ordinary telephone and hear the whistle and put the phone into the acoustic coupler modem and we were off to using the mainframe.
In 1979 when I started my own computer firm, Bob and I personally were at the forefront of the transformation of the use of computers in education in the greater Mid-Hudson Valley. We started many of the school districts on the use personal computers. If you are a school district in northern Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Sullivan, Ulster and Orange counties in particular, we were probably the guys bringing in Apple II computers and talking about using them in education to start your instructional technology programs.
When IBM selected us to be one of the first 16 partners in the US, we were again the ones that introduced the "IBM PC" into your districts long before Windows existed.
When IBM decided to focus on K-12 education, we were again the ones that introduced the first computer networks designed around Novell NetWare into your districts.
The same was true when switches came along instead of hubs. And with wireless. And with virtualization and redundancy, and cloud services. Whenever technology has changed, we have been there assisting school districts into whatever the next technology wave is.
These technology programs have grown to the point now that we are no longer talking about two terminals in the math department that a few kids can use, but one to one technology initiatives and wireless everywhere and bring your own device and anytime anyplace access. These technologies are no longer optional for instruction. Schools are struggling to implement current technologies to support these educational initiatives.
New York State recognizes the issues schools have in funding and properly implementing current technology in the classroom and providing access for all students. The recent passage of the Smart Schools Bond Act provides a multi-year funding vehicle to dramatically upgrade technology equipment and facilities including, but not limited to::
- Interactive Whiteboards
- Computer Servers
- Desktops, Laptops, and Tablet Computers
- High Speed Broadband
- Wireless
- High-tech security features
School districts can find out what funding they are eligible to receive from the bond here.
The last week of October Bob Knapp presented a comprehensive, free seminar entitled, "Network Planning - 2015" where he delved into what is required to implement the needed infrastructure upgrades over the next 2-3 years to be adequately prepared to meet the technological challenges of the latest wireless technologies for high density learning.
We were there at the beginning. Almost 36 years later, we are still here. CSI is ready to talk with you and work with you in planning yet another transformation of instructional technology in your schools.
Our proven, multi-decade track record of success and our dedication and expertise in the K-12 environment make us the ideal partner to work with you to plan, design, and implement this next technology transformation of your district. Select CSI products and services are on the NYS contract and the GSA IT Schedule 70 contracts.
To setup an appointment to discuss your unique challenges and needs, please contact Lisa Evans at levans@csiny.com or call her at 845-897-9480 x3215.