Transcript Slide 1

PARTNERS
• WNC
EdNET builds on prior visionary
efforts of regional college, school and
corporate leaders.
• The
WNC EdNET approach is
collaborative and as such provides for a
focus of resources in a rural, sparsely
populated section of Southern Appalachia.
A myriad of different players are working
together rather than competing with each
other in procurement and use of critical
resources.
Southwestern NC Planning & Economic Development Commission
Western Region Education Service Alliance (WRESA)
Jackson County Schools
Macon County Schools
Clay County Schools
Cherokee County Schools
Graham County Schools
Swain County Schools
Cherokee Tribal Schools
Southwestern Community College
Western Carolina University
Tri County Community College
Funding Provided By
WNC EdNET CONTACTS
Dr. Jan Webster, Director
Western Region Education Service Alliance
PO Box 1709, Enka, NC 28728
Phone: 828 .418.0011, ext. 21
Email: [email protected]
• When
complete, the project will permit
area students to compete at or above par
with their counterparts globally. In effect,
learning opportunities not currently
available or imagined will be accessible by
the target students.
A Project to
Enhance Learning Using
Broadband Techniques
Mr. Bill Gibson, Executive Director
Southwestern Planning Commission
125 Bonnie Lane, Sylva, NC 28779
Phone: 828.586.1962
Email: [email protected]
For additional information visit the
WRESA Website at
www.wresa.org
Western North Carolina’s
WNC EdNET: A Ring of Stars
WNC EdNET: Project Summary
Purpose
To collaboratively assist the schools and colleges in Jackson,
Macon, Clay, Cherokee, Graham and Swain Counties, and
the Cherokee Tribal Schools to procure and use upgradeable
high capacity broadband technology configurations and
services to enhance learning, professional development, and
organization administration, and to open up learning
opportunities not currently available or imagined.
Objectives
1) To establish a collaborative of partners for the purpose of
collaboratively enhancing the development and use of
technology as a tool for improving learning opportunities
2) To facilitate procurement of broadband infrastructure by
participating partners’ central and field sites
3) To facilitate capacity building and use of broadband
technology for the enhancement of teaching and learning
4) To help export the WNC EdNET model to other potential
adopting sites.
Funding
The WNC Education Network is jointly funded by grant monies
from the Golden LEAF Foundation, the Cherokee
Preservation Foundation, the Appalachian Regional
Commission, the NC Rural Economic Development Center,
and the Business and Education Technology
Alliance/Public Schools of North Carolina. These funds will
be used mostly as start-up costs supporting Objective 2. Other
resources will be sought to further implement and continue the
project.
Partnerships and Organization
The project grantee is the Southwestern Commission which
will partner with the Western Region Education Service
Alliance (WRESA) to collaboratively manage the grants. An
Executive Steering Committee composed of the CEOs of the
12 partners plus a Golden LEAF representative govern the
project. Partner Technology Coordinators are primarily
responsible for implementing and helping to evaluate the
program. A Technology Applications Committee provides
leadership in use of high speed technologies and applications.
Consulting Partners from other agencies and organizations
such as ERC, e-NC Authority and NCDPI provide technical
leadership and guidance.
WNC EdNET: Partner Organizations - 70 Educational Sites
Graham County Schools
(GCS)
Clay County Schools
(Clay Schools) (CS)
Jackson County Schools
(JCS)
Macon County Schools
(MCS)
Cherokee County Schools
(CCS)
Swain County Schools
(SCS)
Cherokee Central (Tribal) Schools
(CTS)
Implementation Partners
Southwestern Community College
(SWCC)
Western Carolina University
(WCU)
Funding Agencies
Appalachian Regional
Commission
Tri County Community College
(TCC)
Cherokee Preservation
Foundation
Southwestern NC Planning &
Economic Development Commission
(Southwestern Commission)
Western Region Education
Service Alliance
(WRESA)
Golden Leaf Foundation
NC Rural Center
Business & Education
Technology Alliance/Public Schools
of North Carolina