Georgia Public Broadcasting is proud to announce our partnership with the Georgia Department of Education's Department of Information Technology. For many years now, both GPB and DOE have been developing strategies for enhancing education in Georgia through technology - and we are pleased at last to join our efforts to come up with the best solutions that can be implemented on a statewide scale. We are working very closely with Dr. Mike Hall, Deputy Superintendent of Information Technology and former principal of Houston County High School, a nationally recognized school of excellence.
During his tenure at Houston County High, Dr. Hall forged partnerships with Intel, Microsoft, IBM, Gateway, Dell, and Hitachi that helped equip the school with more than 1,200 computers, a wireless network with 13 wireless labs, and nine fixed computer labs. Since he joined the Department of Education, Dr. Hall has already begun creating smart technology partnerships that will benefit every school in the state. Georgia Public Broadcasting's satellite and video streaming infrastructure make us a natural partner to help Dr. Hall and DOE bring technology into every Georgia classroom.
After an initial meeting, GPB and DOE are planning to collaborate to produce a regular satellite and web-delivered program featuring State Superintendent Kathy Cox discussing the accomplishments of schools around the state and sharing news about projects the Department of Education is currently undertaking. The program may also feature Superintendent Cox having discussions with other education figures from the state and the nation in a magazine format.
Georgia Public Broadcasting has also agreed to post timely messages about training opportunities, standards roll outs, educator requirements, and other DOE news on our electronic bulletin boards - both on satellite and on the web. You should begin seeing these communications within the coming months.
GPB has been maximizing our training capacity through the use of distance learning technology like webcasts for several years now. Our newly established partnership with DOE will allow them to make use of that technology as well, enabling them to reach the widest possible audience of educators for training and the sharing of best practices. GPB plans to join DOE as they travel across the state to document best practices and capture them on video to be repurposed for instructional webcasts.
Look for more information about these offerings in upcoming issues of Pipeline. You can also watch a special video production by the students of Houston County High School on GPB satellite. The video, which documents the way technology is transforming teaching and learning at Houston County High, will give you a glimpse of the possibilities that partnerships such as this and others Dr. Hall is pursuing hold for your classroom. See the listings for air dates and times.
