by Dave Spreen, TCETP Volunteer Coordinator and SMUG Member
An acquaintance asked me how the "school networking thing" was going the other day. I proceeded to explain the Blackberry Bramble Network Project(BBNP), the User Group Connection Awards Program '94 grant, the growing network of gatewayed schools and students via Smuggler's, NerveNet, NET, Athena, ECS Link and other BBSes when I was interrupted with, "yeah, yeah, Dave, but what have you folks done for us lately?" Oh J-o-y-c-e, do I have a question for you!
Here's a few excerpts from a message from Joyce Farruggia, a BBNP Leader, last December after having to leave the BBNP meeting at HCOE early the night before:
"I came prepared with a list of the things in which I had been personally involved since the inception of this project...actually, after the grant was received. We (BBNP) are here to serve education by teaching teachers and students about technical matters through the practical application of those skills. The best learning is done on "real work."
First, I bought disks (IBM and MAC) and personally delivered them to all schools from Trinidad to Arcata. Then I encouraged my school and other groups of friends to become Smuggler's. It has been especially useful for school projects and AAUW (American Assoc. of University Women) connections.
Humboldt Historical Society: Called an acquaintance at HHS. Developed initial contacts...ran out of time...Dave and Casey picked up the ball and approached their board.(Update: Steve Kayner has helped HHS's tech. committee with ideas recently.-Dave)
HCOE: Have been developing contacts in teacher education office. Not ready for public scrutiny yet. (Update: Steve Kayner and I met with Steve Setterlund of HCOE and set-up an HCOE acct. on Smuggler's in mid-March. An HCOE online folder has been created to develop technical and in-service info to start.-Dave)
Visibility: Wrote article for Humboldt Highlights in collaboration with Dave, Emily, Steve and Casey. Engaged Raleigh Conner (she did the work), to bring her students to a Branch Meeting and demo. educational software and telecommunicating. Casey and Debbie Kirkendall came to help. (Update: a HyperStudio workshop was held in Raleigh Conner's classroom at Pacific Union School on March 18. Emily Gibson did a superb job of conducting the session.-Dave)
The original idea was that we would cultivate the Brambles. We have a two year time line. Remember folks: this is an all volunteer army, and the product will only be as good as you make it. I encourage you to look at the things we archive in BBNP Project, stay active on Tele Schools. Make BBNP Schools a valuable place to be...it is a TERRIFIC, FREE resource."(Joyce Farruggia 12/15/94)
Joyce most recently organized the History Day/BBNP/SMUG contest at Humboldt State University, but the details will have to wait for a future bulletin(due to newsletter space considerations). For now, please note that Jere Cox has volunteered to organize our participation in this event next year.
Hope this helps answer the question: what have you done for us lately? And remember this, Joyce is probably the biggest slacker in the TCETP Assoc. so you can imagine what the other members have been up to! ;-)