By Terence Lee
Following a successful roll out of Refurbished Laptop Home Loan/Usage Program at Santa Rita, Egan and Almond Schools, EqOpTech, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is launching a laptop drive to benefit students without laptops at Georgina P. Blach Intermediate School.
PROJECT-BASED COLLABORATIVE LEARNING AT LOS ALTOS SCHOOL DISTRICT (LASD)
The 21st century project-based learning is the future of education. Technology is deeply integrated into project-based learning; students are expected to learn and leverage technology tools, from online research, collaboration using google hangouts or google docs to shooting video, iMovies for TED talks. Likewise, teachers use tools like Edmodo, Membean and other Google tools to foster collaboration and student engagement. This collaborative environment aims at sharpening student's research and analytical skills as well as teamwork and project management experience expected of them in the real world. For this reason, it is essential that students have access to laptops both in class and at home.
BRIDGING THE DIGITAL EDUCATION DIVIDE
The traditional classroom now transforms into a virtual classroom that extends learning beyond the physical classroom. This poses a learning challenge for students who do not have laptops at home. Not only are these students unable to access online research at home, but they also cannot collaborate real-time with classmates to prepare for classroom discussion. Overtime, students without laptop will be lagging behind their peers, learning at a slower pace.
BLACH LAPTOP HOME USAGE PROGRAM - DONATE NOW
EqOpTech is seeking functioning laptops (Windows & Mac) with appropriate power adapters on an ongoing basis. Each laptop will be refurbished to its full functionality with operating system and removal of all personal data prior to redeployment.
"Our goal is to promote equal opportunity learning through technology tools," according to Terence Lee, CEO and Founder of EqOpTech. "All donated laptops will be refurbished and redeployed to kids who do not have easy access to Google Drive and other cloud-based applications."
To donate, please drop off at collection box at the office, Blach School, 1120 Covington Ave, Los Altos between May 15 to 26. Please disable any password prior to donating. If you wish to donate outside of this window, please e-mail donate@eqoptech.org or lucy@eqoptech.org.
Donations are tax-deductible. Tax receipt will be provided upon request and will be mailed directly from EqOpTech Inc.
Summer laptop Refurbishing Workshops
A series of laptop refurbishing workshops will be hosted locally over the summer where the EqOpTech technical team will teach students basic PC refurbishing skills (Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromium) such as removal of personal data, restore to factory settings, install drivers, maintenance; operating system & software installation, partition hard drive and dual boot, upgrade and repair; and security etc. This event is open to students who have an interest in technology and want to give back to the community. Email eqoptech@gmail.com if interested in participating.
This project is funded in part by a community grant award from Los Altos Community Foundation, thank you LACF!
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TECHNOLOGY
About EqOpTech Inc.
Founded in May 2016, EqOpTech is a 501(c)(3) IRS-designated tax exempt nonprofit organization managed by students. EqOpTech promotes and enables equal opportunity free access to technology for computer learning and STEM education in under-served communities.
Recent press on EqOpTech:
'I Give Them a New Life': High School Student Tackles Silicon Valley’s Digital Divide with Refurbished Computers, By Rebecca Greenway, April 26, 2017, NBC Bay Area
Nonprofit teaches tech skills, fights inequity, By Jane Ridgeway, April 5, 2017, Los Altos Town Crier
Our Equal Opportunity Technology program is made possible thanks to Los Altos Community Foundation community grant award.
Visit here for more information.