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NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR'S $2.5 MILLION PROGRAM TO TRAIN AND
ENCOURAGE TEACHERS TO USE THE INTERNET IN THE CLASSROOM
In Fall, 1997, National Semiconductor launched a three-year,
$2.5 million program to provide teachers access to free Internet
training and to encourage Internet use in the classroom. The
program consists of three components:
- Global Connections:
A leader-led Internet training course that provides teachers
with the knowledge, skills and support necessary to integrate
the Internet into their curriculum.
- Global Connections
Online: An interactive, Web-based version of the Global Connections
training course, that provides free Internet training to educators
throughout the world who have access to the Internet.
- National Semiconductor
Internet Innovator Awards: An awards program that encourages
Internet use among educators by providing cash rewards for those
who demonstrate innovative use of the Internet in their classrooms.
"Billions of dollars each year are invested in classroom
technology, and grass-roots efforts like Net Day have wired thousands
of classrooms and libraries. When these investments are coupled
with ongoing teacher training and support, we believe they will
have a significant impact on teaching and learning," said
Brian L. Halla, National's Chief Executive Officer. "Our
goal is to reach as many educators as possible, as quickly as
possible, with the information, tools and resources they need
to harness the power of the Internet, and use it in the classroom.
This technology brings endless possibilities and excitement to
learning."
I. GLOBAL CONNECTIONS
Since October 1997, National has provided free, leader-led
Internet training to select schools and districts in California,
Maine and Texas, where it has major U.S. manufacturing sites.
The company estimates that through this three-year program, more
than 4,000 educators will be trained.
Developed for National by PCC, Inc. (People's Computer Company),
an internationally recognized expert in the use of technology
in education, Global Connections: Making the Most of the Internet
in Your Classroom, consists of 12 hours of training divided into
two sessions scheduled four to six weeks apart. Throughout the
training, all participants have access to an interactive Web
site to encourage ongoing information exchange, communication
and collaboration at www.nsglobalconnections.com.
"Whether the topic is health and nutrition, or searching
for a home or job, my students are leveraging the Internet as
a research tool and developing marketable skills at the same
time," said Kathy Lincoln, a Lifeskills teacher at Chaboya
Middle School in San Jose, California who recently completed
National's Internet training course. "The training introduced
me to several new tools that are affordable, and easily accessed
or created. These ideas will save me time and money, improve
my ability to communicate with parents, and allow me to introduce
my students to online publishing within the next year. Without
the course, I may have come across some of these tools, but given
my time constraints, it would have taken a long time."
National Semiconductor donates Global Connections training
courses to schools through the District Offices of Education
in National's major U.S. manufacturing communities in California,
Maine, and Texas.
II. GLOBAL CONNECTIONS ONLINE
National's Internet training course, Global Connections: Making
the Most of the Internet in the Classroom, is also available
to virtually all educators worldwide interested in integrating
student use of the Internet into their lesson plans.
Global Connections Online is National's way of reaching out
to everyone and making sure that no one is left behind when it
comes to Internet use in the classroom. The course is organized
into learning modules (ranging from beginner to more advanced
topics) and each module includes several lessons and "Try
It" exercises. A "Leader's Guide" is also available
for the online course so that teachers or parents who feel more
comfortable with Internet technology can help others to complete
the course. Global Connections Online -- and the printable curriculum
and Leader's Guide -- is available on the World Wide Web at www.nsglobalonline.com.
III. NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR INTERNET INNOVATOR AWARDS
National Semiconductor Internet Innovator Awards recognize
and reward outstanding K-12 educators who demonstrate the highest
level of innovation in integrating Internet technology into their
curriculum. The program is open to teachers in select districts
in California, Maine and Texas, where National has major U.S.
manufacturing sites.
Winning teachers receive $10,000 for their own personal use,
and their schools receive $20,000 to be spent primarily on technology
training and curriculum development. Schools also receive a free
Global Connections leader-led training course. In total, National
plans to award $1 million to teachers and their schools through
this three-year program. Teachers can access additional information
on the National Semiconductor Internet Innovator Awards and learn
about the 1997-98 winners at www.nsawards.com.
National Semiconductor Corporation produces system-on-a-chip
silicon solutions for the information highway, based on its leadership
in analog and mixed-signal technologies. National is headquartered
in Santa Clara, Calif., and focuses on communications, person
systems and consumer markets. National has 13,000 employees worldwide
with annual sales of approximately $2.5 billion. Additional company
and product information is available on the World Wide Web at
www.national.com.
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?
Phone
Message: (408) 721-8636
Email: community.care@nsc.com
Internet Training Initiative Web site: www.national.com/training
A Message
from CEO Brian L. Halla | Education,
Technology, and National
Global
Connections Web site | Internet
Innovators Awards Web site
Global
Connections Online Web site
Internet Training
Initiative Main Page
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