Einstein also had the all too common problem of not having much computer equipment, and the equipment it did have was obsolete. "When I started here in 1989, we just had a couple of 286s in the office for administrative purposes," said Dr. Phyllis O. Tate, Einstein's principal. "We really did not have any equipment for the students to work and learn on, so I made that my number-one priority. For example, we built a computer lab, because I knew that these students needed the proper tools to truly understand the future of computers."
As a result of Dr. Tate's work, the school was selected to be part of CPS Net 2000, a computer project -- sponsored by vendors such as Ascom Timeplex, 3Com and Milan Technology (a Division of Digi International) -- aimed at networking all Chicago public schools.
These companies, all active in educational issues across the country, came to the Chicago Public School Board with an offer to help. Einstein and 24 other schools were selected, out of 557 public schools, to participate in the first phase of the program.
Einstein's electrical wiring had already been upgraded, so when the vendors proposed starting some schools immediately on a pilot program, Einstein -- with the infrastructure needed to support the network -- was one of only six schools chosen.
With the help of these companies, the school now has its own web site. Einstein has also chosen to dismantle its traditional computer lab and now has at least three networked computers in every classroom. The school is continuing to do extensive faculty training to promote the use of computers in the classroom, and many projects are done with extensive use of online research on the World Wide Web.
In The Classroom
"We've seen immediate improvement in the computer literacy levels of our students," Dr. Tate said. "With the help of the new equipment and by focusing much more of our curriculum toward technology and its uses, the students today are much more comfortable working with computers and are thus better prepared to go on to other institutions of learning and into the workforce."
Recently, Einstein school hosted a visit by Microsoft's Bill Gates. Gates commended the project and the school for having the technology available to all students and fully integrated into the curriculum. During his visit, Gates also donated some computer software.
"We are very pleased with the progress we have seen in our school," Tate said, "and as more companies get involved in donating their equipment and services to further the educational goals of our country, I believe that we'll see similar positive results all over the country" One positive result has been that Einstein School is the only Chicago public school to have been awarded all four state of Illinois technology grants. The school's motto is "Enlightenment = Minds Challenged Twice (E=MC2)."
Plans for the school include automating the library system and a computer-based reading program.
Enterprise network provider Ascom Timeplex provided project and network management and routers, with 3Com and Milan also donating equipment.
The school network is comprised of an Ascom Timeplex ER Enterprise Router, a 3Com 24-port Ethernet switch and a Milan 8-port 10BaseT hub, along with the other software and attachments needed. In all, more than $30,000 worth of donated equipment went into upgrading the school.
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