Digital Equity part of the Education Reform Network

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Service

Any online service and/or assistance that functions either as an intermediary between the user and online data and information (e.g., an online question-and-answer service such as AskERIC) or as a non-intermediary service (e.g., an online service that monitors and reports on some aspect of education or other activities having an impact on education.)

• ACT: What is it?
  ACT is a non-profit focusing on the creation, use, understanding, training and dissemination of appropriate technology to support communities.
• Center for Applied Research in Educational Technology
  CARET bridges education technology research to practice by offering research-based answers to critical questions.
• Center for Women and Information Technology
  Website contains numerous resources for increasing the number of women in technology.
• Computers For Learning
  The CFL program places computers in classrooms by transfering excess Federal computer equipment to schools and educational nonprofit organizations, giving special consideration to those with the greatest need. Website connects the registered needs of schools and educational nonprofit organizations with available Government computer equipment.
• Computers for Schools
  "Computers for Schools" solicites computer donations nationwide, and then gives computers away to schools who apply and meet criteria. Many state have network affiliate(s) that can be contacted.
• Consistent Computer Bargains
  Consistent Computer Bargains serves “the nonprofit community with technology solutions” according to their website. Their Mission statement says they are “a leading, authorized reseller of computer software and hardware with a broad line of namebrand, award-winning programs for nonprofit organizations.
• Consumer Jungle: Promoting Consumer Literacy for Young Adults
  Consumer Jungle is a web-based program that helps turn high school students into savvy consumers. Site includes student activities, unit plans for teachers and information for parents.
• Freshmeat
  Freshmeat maintains the Web's largest index of Unix and cross-platform software, themes and related "eye-candy", and Palm OS software. Thousands of applications, which are released under an open source license, are meticulously cataloged in the freshmeat database, and links to new applications are added daily.
• IMMEX on the Web
  The IMMEX Project at UCLA develops frameworks for the classroom integration of problem-solving technologies which provide guidelines for teacher-directed authoring of problem-solving software, for effective curriculum/software integration, for the implementation of technology for learning and assessment, for data analysis and reporting, and lastly, for development of models of student learning. Within the context of these frameworks educators use IMMEX software to present real-life situations to students in ways that help them define and understand the problem.
• K12 Handhelds
  K12 Handhelds, Inc. provides schools with integrated solutions for handheld use in education that include: planning, professional development, hardware, software and applications, educational bundles, implementation and support, and assessment.
• Knowability
  Knowbility promotes barrier free Information Technology - creating greater access to I.T. opportunities for youth and adults with disabilities.
• National Institute for Urban School Improvement
  The National Institute for Urban School Improvement (NIUSI) advocates for inclusive urban schools. NIUSI recognizes that urban schools are the nexus for negotiating the complexities of ability, ethnicity, language, privilege, power, and class.
• North American Council for Online Learning
  The mission of the North American Council for Online Learning is to increase educational opportunities and enhance learning by providing collegial expertise and leadership in K-12 online teaching and learning.
• Open Source Directory
  Open Source Directory features stable, open sources applications and has 856 downloads in 214 categories such as databases, Java, Linux and XML. One must register and become a member, but membership is free.
• TECHSOUP
  TECHSOUP has been around for quite awhile, but it is still a valuable resource for non-profit organizations to order hardware, software and peripherals at a discount. They recycle hardware as well as selling new equipment at low prices.
• The Free Software Directory
  The Free Software Directory is a project of the Free Software Foundation (FSF) and United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). They catalog useful free software that runs under free operating systems — particularly the GNU operating system and its GNU/Linux variants.
• The FUTURES Channel
  The FUTURES Channel is a content service for educators which gives users direct access to outstanding video, sound, image and print resources. The FUTURES Channel is an extremely powerful and convenient tool for creating and delivering effective, exciting lessons.
• The OpenCD project
  The OpenCD project aims to introduce users of MS-Windows to the benefits of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). They include only the highest quality programs, which have been carefully tested for stability and which they consider appropriate for a broad audience.
• Think.com
  Think.com is a free service from Oracle designed for teachers. After registering, services include a place to build a school website; tools for conducting on-line discussions; integrated e-mail designed for a school; and administrative tools.
• Wireless Networking in the Developing World: A Practical Guide to Planning and Building Low-cost Telecommunications Infrastructure
  A group of highly qualified activist "Geeks" has written a book entitled "Wireless Networking in the Developing World: A Practical Guide to Planning and Building Low-cost Telecommunications Infrastructure". They explain in their preface: "This book was created by a team of individuals who each, in their own field, are actively participating in the ever-expanding Internet by pushing its reach farther than ever before.