may 2011 ecs newsletter
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Connect Ohio's May 2011 eCommunity Strategies NewsletterTRANSCRIPT
The Geauga County Public Library, located in northeast Ohio, has received an overwhelming positive response to the Every Citizen Online (ECO) free basic computer training offered at its four main libraries. Connect Ohio staff had the privilege of visiting a training class at one of the libraries, Geauga West, and experienced their excitement around the ECO program first-hand.
“When we publicized the first class here at Geauga West, we had 50 people sign up for a class limited to 12 students,” said Sarah Prueter, assistant manager and head of adult services at Geauga West Public Library. “This has been true all over the county. We are offering 36 classes this year of 12 students each at the four Geauga County Public Library locations.”
“The sheer volume of community members interested in these classes continues to amaze us,” said Lori Black, an
Geauga County ECO training off to a strong start
May 2011
Geauga West Library ECO training class May 4, 2011
continued on page 2
CONTENTS
How Connect Ohio tracks broadband availability inquiries .................. 2
Connect Ohio applauds Jackson, Washington counties’ recent RFP release .... 3
Every Citizen Online program helping Ohio small businesses get online .................... 3
Connect Ohio YouTube video PSA contest winners announced ....................................... 4
Connect Ohio’s State Operations ManagersDon ShirleyState Operations Manager Southern [email protected]
Bart WinegarTechnical Outreach [email protected]
Jeff BeebeState Operations ManagerEastern [email protected]
Heather DelanyState Operations ManagerCentral [email protected]
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When consumers do not have broadband service or they are unsure of the providers in their area, they are able to submit a broadband inquiry to Connect Ohio via our website (http://connectohio.org/), e-mail ([email protected]), or phone (866-881-9424). Submitting a broadband inquiry allows Connect Ohio to update any mapping errors in BroadbandStat and provide consumers with provider resources they may not realize exist in their area.
Many people may wonder what happens with all the broadband inquiries that have been gathered in Ohio. So, here’s the scoop.
Step 1: Connect Ohio staff research the address on BroadbandStat, which tracks broadband coverage and providers across the state, and notifies the consumer on providers that claim to provide service to their address.
Step 2: If a provider is listed, but the consumer has verified that coverage is not available, Connect Ohio’s data validation team travel to the location to verify if a wireless signal is present.
Step 3: If a signal is present, the providers in the area are notified that service should be available to the consumer based on the frequency present. If a signal is not present, BroadbandStat is updated and the provider is informed that its map will need to be updated to reflect the lack of service.
If no service is available, Connect Ohio tracks the information in our database and notifies providers that a gap in service exists. The more broadband inquiries received for a particular area, the more enticing it is for providers to plan an expansion project in your area!
New media highlight of the month
eReaders rose to popularity last year and sales continue to explode for the devices. Half of Internet users in the US who knew of them planned to buy one in the next year, and 70% were considering a purchase in the next three years, according to a recent study from Boston Consulting Group. Digital books or monthly subscriptions to digital books and newspaper services are a rising trend, and as eReader options continue to grow, the devices are becoming much more affordable.
How Connect Ohio tracks broadband availability inquiries
Geauga County ECO trainingContinued from page 1
ECO instructor at Geauga West Library.
As an instructor, Black has the opportunity to speak with ECO participants and hear their individual stories regarding why they want to be trained. Black says there are class members excited to learn simple computer tasks that many take for granted, such as using a mouse and scrolling up and down a screen using keyboard arrows. Some participants work at jobs that do not require using a computer, so they have never had to learn.
“A class participant who works in construction told me he uses the computer to enter his time sheets each day and that’s it,” said Black.
Another participant was excited to learn how to use e-mail. She had signed up for e-mail account months ago, but she doesn’t know how to use it and hasn’t been able to check her online bank statement since January.
After the 4-session classes have ended, participants can’t thank Black and Prueter enough for their new knowledge, commenting that they’re no longer afraid of the computer and asking when the class reunion will be held.
“Overall, class members are here simply because they don’t want to be left behind in this high-speed, technology-oriented world,” said Black.
Geauga West library staff members are just as excited about the ECO program as the participants.
“Our staff has embraced this project enthusiastically because we feel that we are providing a service that is desperately needed,” said Prueter.
Website of the monthhttp://connectohio.org/partners/Connect Ohio gathers data provided by 110 participating Ohio broadband providers to ensure up-to-date, accurate mapping of the state’s broadband availability and speeds. A list of these providers helping Connect Ohio’s broadband reporting efforts can be found at this page on Connect Ohio’s website.
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Connect Ohio’s Every Citizen Online (ECO) program helps Ohioans learn basic computer and Internet skills for free at local organizations. Not only is the ECO program helping citizens of Ohio feel comfortable using a computer, but the program is also helping small business owners get connected, creating additional growth and outreach opportunities.
Stephen Morozowsky completed ECO training at John McIntire Public Library in March. Morozowsky is the owner of Mantis Kung Fu Taiji Academy in Zanesville, where he teaches martial arts to area youth and senior citizens.
“The (ECO) class opened up knowledge of the computer and the Internet for me,” said Morozowsky. “Now, I communicate with my students through e-mail. I also order my business supplies online. I can shop and compare prices, which I hadn’t been able to do before. It’s a great added convenience.”
Pat Homier is also a small business owner who now communicates with customers by e-mail after completing ECO training.
Homier has owned Touches of Drapery in New Bavaria for
43 years. She recently received ECO training at the Putnam County Educational Service Center.
“This (ECO class) was a God-send,” Homier shared. “I only somewhat used the computer and Internet before, but now I’m able to use it better and for many things.”
Homier mentioned a few tasks she is now able to use her new knowledge toward, including business document formatting, connecting with other businesses online, paying bills online, and researching marketing ideas. She says she looks forward to soon marketing her business online in order to reach a new generation of customers.
Anthony Wilcox, in Columbus, is creating a start-up company. He knew creating a new clothing label would be difficult without utilizing the Internet. Wilcox received ECO training at the Godman Guild through the OSU Learning Center.
“(The Internet) is new and exciting for me,” said Wilcox. “I’m contacting business investors online and creating professional presentations on the computer.”
Wilcox said the training was just what he was looking for.
Every Citizen Online program helping Ohio small businesses get online
The Jackson County Economic Development Board (JCEDB) and Washington County Commissioners, both with assistance from Connect Ohio technical outreach staff, recently announced the release of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the construction of a wireless broadband network in each county. The Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP)-friendly RFPs are an invitation to providers to bring broadband to the unserved and underserved residents and businesses in these areas.
According to Connect Ohio’s 2008 Consumer Technology Assessment, 27% of households in Jackson County received broadband service to the home. For Washington County, only 37% of households received broadband service to the home. This is significantly less than the state average at the time, which was 55%. (A 2011 Residential Technology Assessment for each county will be available later this year.)
The RFP for Jackson County was released in late April and Washington County’s followed just a few weeks later.
Connect Ohio Technical Outreach Manager Bart Winegar and coordinator Ira Dye worked closely with officials from both counties for months, completing data collection, cost estimates, and propagation studies in order to provide a customized business model for broadband expansion for each, which is included in the RFPs.
“Connect Ohio has been an invaluable partner in the RFP process,” said Sam Brady, Jackson County economic development specialist. “Their expertise has been a huge asset to Jackson County and its project partners.”
“Bart Winegar and Ira Dye of Connect Ohio have done a phenomenal job taking the data we provided and producing a strong, viable business case for wireless broadband delivery in Washington County,” said Eric Skomra, county IT director.
The technical outreach team continues to provide broadband expansion support and is currently working with officials in 8 other Ohio counties on expansion efforts.
Connect Ohio applauds Jackson, Washington counties’ recent RFP release
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Connect Ohio YouTube video PSA contest winners announcedEarlier this year, the Every Citizen Online (ECO) program went viral with the launch of a YouTube video contest. The contest period ended March 22 and nearly 3-dozen video public service announcement (PSA) entries were received from throughout the state. Winning videos were chosen based on their messaging and demonstration of the usefulness of the Internet to the daily lives of Ohioans in an effort to help raise awareness of the statewide Every Citizen Online program. Winners and Honorable Mention awardees were announced April 5. The creators of the two winning videos were presented with Apple iPads and many of those involved in the top 4 videos were invited to be actors in the production of Connect Ohio’s newest PSAs, which will air on TV and radio stations beginning in July.
Winning Awardees:Jorge Morera, Cleveland HeightsMark Van Horn, ReynoldsburgHonorable Mention Awardees:Bonnie Jean Connor, WestervilleBrandon Green, Cleveland Heights
To view the winning videos, as well as all contest submissions, visit http://connectohio.org/consumer_training/video_contest.php. You can also check out entries on our YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/OhioBroadband.
Get to know: Ira Dye
Title: Technical Outreach Coordinator
Contact information: [email protected] Office: 614.220.0190
What do you do for Connect Ohio? I analyze, develop, and manage last-mile broadband projects throughout the state. This includes coordinating efforts and serving as a technical resource for communities, local officials, and various broadband stakeholders throughout Ohio in an effort to expand broadband availability.
Favorite Website: That’s an easy one. Google. Everything they produce is pretty unbelievable.
What does broadband mean to you? It means every home can become its own small business. 232 N THIRD STREET, SuITE 201 l COluMBuS, OH 43215
(614) 220-0190 l TOll FREE: (866) 881-9424
WWW.CONNECTOHIO.ORG
BroadbandStat question of the monthQ: When I search BroadbandStat all I see are telephone providers. Why am I not seeing traditional broadband providers?
A: More and more telephone companies are offering mobile broadband services, which consumers can use with a PC, laptop, iPad, or mobile phones. Access is given through cell phone towers, allowing connection for a device the same way it provides cell phone coverage. This enables areas of Ohio to access e-mail and the Internet without having a traditional DSL or cable broadband service.
Have a question about a BroadbandStat program? E-mail it to Public Relations Specialist Amanda Murphy at [email protected]
Executive Director Tom Fritz presented Jorge Morera with his iPad May 9.
Public Relations Specialist Amanda Murphy presented Mark Van Horn with his iPad May 20.