Parennts, students, remote workers and home-based entrepreneurs depend on the quality and reliability of their Internet connection at home. Here's some advice on selecting an Internet Service Provider (ISP) for your home/home office.

Get High Speed Data

Broadband--whether through your cable, DSL, or other provider--is definitely worth the cost for anyone who works a significant amount of time from home. To illustrate the importance of fast Internet access, imagine if you worked at the office and all of your co-workers' connections to the company's servers and online resources were 35 or more times faster than yours -- who do you think would get more done? When you work from home, you need to perform as well as (or better than) if you were physically at the office, and fast Internet service is critical for doing so.

Compare ISP Download and Upload Speeds

We've come a long way from having to choose between dial-up services from AOL, Prodigy, and CompuServe (remember those guys?). These days cable, telephone, satellite, and DSL providers are all vying for your broadband business. These companies offer similar data speeds [4] and services at competitive pricing (around $30-$100 per month, depending on the provider you select and package speed). When selecting an ISP, be sure you compare prices on an apples-to-apples basis. For example, if your telephone company has a plan with 15Mbps download and 5Mbps upload speeds, compare it to the closest available plan with the same speeds from your cable company.

Compare ISP Contract Terms, Bundled Service Pricing, and Business Usability

• Contract terms: Many companies require at least a 1-year contract, but others are month-to-month. Be aware of any service cancellation fees before deciding to switch providers.
• Bundled service prices: You'll likely get a good (but limited-time) deal if you use telephone, Internet, and TV service from the same provider. The price is usually only worth it, however, if you're a heavy user of all these services.
• Business plans and usability: Some Internet Service Providers offer special data speeds, email features, and pricing for small businesses. You may also qualify if you tell the sales rep you work from home; this is also good to do just in case the ISP has any limitations regarding business use -- make sure your ISP permits VPN pass-through if you will need VPN for your remote work.

Compare Special Add-Ons and Other Features

• Hardware: Some services offer free wireless routers, while others require you to buy your own equipment. Include the cost of any additional hardware needed in your comparison.
• Extra add-ons: To sweeten the pot, service providers are offering free online backup services, personal webpage hosting, antivirus program subscriptions, and more with their Internet plans.
• One particularly useful free add-on for mobile workers is free wi-fi hotspot access, available from the major ISPs (Verizon, Cablevision, Time Warner, etc.) in certain service areas. This alone may sway you toward one ISP versus another, since you get both home Internet service and complementary mobile connectivity.

Most Importantly, Compare ISP Customer Service and Reliability

Reliability may be the most important measure. Unfortunately the same ISP in one part of the country may have better or worse service reliability and customer satisfaction ratings in another area. A good place to find reviews and listings of ISPs near you is DSLReports.com [5].

As we move into the new millennium ASPIRA is implementing initiatives to help our community members, specially our youngsters and their parents, to better position themselves in this digital era. One of the new initiatives is related to bridging the digital divide, not only between the haves and have not, but also between parents and children. This electronic toolkit presents the core curriculum for ASPIRA's Community Technology Center (CTC). The courses are designed to develop a basic understanding of the most common productivity tools. This is a dynamic site, lessons will be added as necessary responding to the needs of our trainees and our community.
 
If you need additional information or have suggestions on how to improve our services and curriculum please call John Villamil-Casanova [16], Executive Vice President at (202) 835-3600 ext. 123 or Marco Antonio Villafane [17], Director of Technology at (202)-835-3600 ext.146
ASPIRA CTC Workshops
The following links provide access to the ASPIRA CTC workshops lessons. These courses were designed to provide a step-by-step instruction on each one of the topics. Click on any of the following links to access a .pdf (Adobe Acrobat Reader) file of the desired workshop (a fast Internet connection is required.)

In any human endeavor planning is of critical importance. In our view, the effort of bridging the digital divide requires extensive planning for the effective incorporation of human and technological resources in support of our mission. This page provides selected resources that will help your organization into developing an effective and realistic plan for the integration of information technology in into your organization. The integration of technology in support of your mission and the corresponding access of technology resources and training for your community will help bridge the economic and digital divides in our communities.

If you need additional information or have suggestions on how to improve our services please call John Villamil-Casanova [16], Executive Vice President at (202) 835-3600 ext. 123.

 
Information Technology Planning Resources

 

The following links provide access to a number of valuable on-line resources for understanding how to develop information technology plans. In addition, we have selected a number of links presenting technology plans for community based organizations, secondary schools and post secondary institutions.

How-to develop information technology plans resources:

• Guidebook for Developing an Effective Instructional Technology Plan [69] from the National Center for Technology Planning (NCTP)
• How to develop a school based information technology plan [70] from North Central Regional Educational Laboratory
• Technology Planning: Recipe for Success [71] (NCTP)
• Developing effective technology plans [72] (NCTP)
• Nurturing the IT Culture: the Leadership Challenge [73] (NCTP)
• La implementacion de tecnologia en el salon de clases [74]: Una guia para los que toman decisionesen las escuelas rurales.
• Education Leadership Toolkit [75]: A project of the National School Boards Foundation implemented by NSBA's Institute for the Transfer of Technology to Education with a grant from the National Science Foundation.

Sample Information Technology Plans:

Post-Secondary Educational Institutions

• National Center for Technology Planning [76]: Higher education technology plans
• Michigan State Technology Plan (1998) [77]
• Miami-Dade Community College Technology Plan (2001) [78]

  School Systems Technology Plans

• National Center for Technology Planing [79]: School districts technology plans
• National Center for Technology Planning [80]: Buildings Level: Schools Technology

  Community-Based Organizations Technology Plans

• The Aspira Association Technology Plan [81]
• Technology Plan Operational Matrix [82]: sample spread sheet presenting each operational activity included in the Aspira technology plan.
• Aspira's Acceptable User Policy [83]
• Aspira's Software Standard and Use Policy [84]

 
Aspira's CTC Procedures and Operations Manual

 

The following link provide access to Aspira's CTC Operations and Procedures plan. This document presents a step-by-step approach towards planning and implementing a CTC. Click on the following link to access a .pdf (Adobe Acrobat Reader) file of the ASPIRA CTC Procedures and Operations Manual

• Procedures and Operations Manual [85] - PDF file 326k [86]

 
CTC Management Forms

 

In order to manage and evaluate a CTC you will need to collect information from your clients. The following forms were designed to collect information from CTC clients. Click on the following links to download CTC forms:

• Participants Enrollment Form [87]
• Participant Course Selection Form [88]
• Daily Course Attendance Form [89]
• General Release Form [90]
• Participant Pre-Test [91]
• Participant Post-Test [92]
• Course Evaluation [93]
• Program Evaluation [94]
• Participants Questionaire Form [95]
• Tech Mentor Volunteers Feedback Form [96]
• CTC Policies Acceptance [97]
• Equipment Custody Form [98]

 
Disaster Recovery Planning

 

The continued operations of an organization depend on management’s awareness of potential disasters, their ability to develop a plan to minimize disruptions of critical functions and the capability to recovery operations expediently and successfully.

A disaster recovery plan is a comprehensive statement of consistent actions to be taken before, during and after a disaster. The plan should be documented and tested to ensure the continuity of operations and availability of critical resources in the event of a disaster.

The primary objective of disaster recovery planning is to protect the organization in the event that all or part of its operations and/or computer services are rendered unusable. Preparedness is the key. The planning process should minimize the disruption of operations and ensure some level of organizational stability and an orderly recovery after a disaster.

Other objectives of disaster recovery planning include:

• Providing a sense of security
• Minimizing risk of delays
• Guaranteeing the reliability of standby systems
• Providing a standard for testing the plan.
• Minimizing decision-making during a disaster

The following links provides valuable resources for developing a disaster recovery plan:

• Business Continuity for Beginners [99]
• Sample disaster recovery plans [100]
• Business continuity planning model [101]
• Legal Necessity [102]: AS COURTS INCREASINGLY HOLD FIRMS LIABLE FOR LOSSES CAUSED BY COMPUTER FAILURES, RECOVERY CAPABILITIES ARE FAST BECOMING A... Legal Necessity
• Disaster recovery glossary [103]
• Disaster Recovery Product/Services Directory [104]

English Instructional Resources

 

• Apllications Tutorials:
  • PBS Teachers Source: Tutorials [106] - This section connects you with some of the simplest and most accurate self-guided tutorials available. While some of this information is relevant to any Internet learner, these examples and resources were assembled with teachers in mind.
  • Aspira's CTC Applications tutorials [107]
• UNESCO's Information Technology in Education [108] training programs
• Microsoft: The Insider Learning Library [109] features a rotating series of free interactive courses on the most popular Microsoft programs and technologies.
• Microsoft Hands-on Tutorial Packs: Creating a Course Web Site [110]
• Microsoft Hands-on Tutorial Packs: Analyzing Data with Microsoft Excel 2002 [111]
• Microsoft Hands-on Tutorial Packs: Creating Online Presentations [112]
• Microsoft Hands-on Tutorial Packs: Word and the Writing Process [113]
• Microsoft Tutorial Packs Windows XP 101: Using Windows XP Professional in the Classroom [114]
• Lesson Plans and how-to integrate technology into the teaching/learning process
  • AOL lesson plans finder [115]
  • UMUC-Verizon Virtual Resource Site for Teaching with Technology [116]: What do you want to use technology for? To help you answer this question, we've outlined some teaching/learning activities below that are used across the disciplines and tried to suggest through examples from the Web how each might utilize a certain kind of technology or a combination of different technologies to accomplish specific learning objectives. Each example represents a different discipline, and there are over 40 disciplines represented in the examples.
     
  • Microsoft Lesson Plans [117] - Are you looking for some great ideas on how to integrate technology into your curriculum? Check out these resources designed to incorporate Microsoft products into your classroom.
  • PBS Teacher Source: [118]Ideas for Web-Based Lessons "So I've got the computer...now what?" As with any aspect of your professional development, learning how to integrate the strengths of the Internet with your curriculum takes practice. Each month, PBS TeacherSource will provide you with the ideas that you can try with your students to enhance your teaching with technology. Choose from beginner, intermediate or advanced level activities.
     
  • Microsoft Classroom Teacher Network [119]
  • University of Delaware - Toolkit for Teaching with Technology [120]: This toolkit provides information about how technology can complement your teaching.
  • AOL Online Classroom [121]: bring your class online with AOL and Blackboard
  • AOL provides a list of online activities [122], reviews and study aids that relate to your courses textbooks (K-12).
• Create and Maintain Hyperlinks More Easily in Your Office 2000 Documents [123]
• Build a Frame-based Web Site with Microsoft Word 2000 [124]
• Design the Tables You Want Using Microsoft Word 2000 [125]
• Using the Internet:
  

  5 Minute Guide to the Internet: [126] This page covers definitions, navigation, and other basic necessities to be a successful "InterNaut".
  Learning to use the Internet and the World Wide Web [127]: On-line textbooks for beginning or intermediate users, with examples and exercises.
  Yahoo! Internet Life Surf School [128]: [128] Comments, advice and tips on how to surf the net.

  LivingInternet.com [129] was developed to make information about the Internet available to as many people as possible. This site isn't fancy, but is a good current site on how to use certain Internet tools including Electronic Mail, Internet Relay Chat, and Multi-User Dimensions (MUDs). More advanced users will be able to find specific information without going through a long tutorial.

• Using Search Engines:
  • How to Search the World Wide Web [130]
  • The Basics of Google Search [131]
  • Dogpile [132]- multi-engine semi-parallel search interface. Searches logically through several search engines until 10 matches are found. Allows use of boolean and proximity operator.

 
Recursos Instruccionales en Español

 

• Cursos en linea para aplicaciones Microsoft
  • Power Point [133]
  • Microsoft Word
    • Parte I [134]
    • Parte II [135]
  • Microsoft Excel [136]
• Microsoft en la Educación: Guias curriculares [137]. Estas guías para el salón de clases ayudan a los profesores de las instituciones de educación básica a integrar las aplicaciones de software a sus actividades de enseñanza diarias. De esta forma, los maestros y alumnos pueden aprovechar los productos al mismo tiempo que realizan practican los contenidos de diversas materias, desde matemáticas y biología hasta literatura o historia.
• Recursos para enseñar Español [138]
• Red para el Maestro del Salon de Clases [139] - Microsoft
• Productividad en el salon de clases [140] - Microsoft
• TechNet para la Educación [141] proporciona todos los detalles sobre cómo evaluar, dar mantenimiento y soporte a la tecnología Microsoft en un ambiente de aprendizaje.
• Utilizar formularios de Microsoft Outlook en la educación [142]: Este documento describe los formularios de educación de Microsoft Outlook, y muestra cómo crearlos, instalarlos y utilizarlos para mejorar la actividad colaboradora en el entorno educativo.
• Tutorial de conocimientos básicos matemáticos y su aplicación en Excel 2000 [143]
   
• Tutoriales especiales - Modelos de cartas Nivel básico [144]: El objetivo de estos tutoriales es conocer un poco más a fondo el lenguaje de los documentos mercantiles y su utilización, así como crear modelos utilizando Word 97. Veremos modelos de documentos comerciales conocidos como el contrato, el recibo, la instancia, la minuta, el abono, etc, y conoceremos su significado y su uso.
• Como utilizar la Internet
  • INTRODUCCIÓN A INTERNET [145]:Curso dirigido a todas aquellas personas que se inician en internet. Contiene explicaciones paso a paso y prácticas propuestas.
     
  • Aprenda a utilizar la red a través de explicaciones sencillas paso por paso y tema por tema en español con los servicios de learnthenet.com [146].
• Motores de Multibusqueda
  • Yupi [147] - motor de multi-búsqueda completamente en español.
  • Neol@tina [148] - motor de multi-búsqueda con enfoque latinoamericano. Ofrece conexiones a páginas de interés y está completamente en español.
  • Yahoo! en Español [149] - motor de multi-búsqueda y oferta de servicios en español

Multi-Search Engines

How to Use the Internet

Dogpile [132]- multi-engine semi-parallel search interface. Searches logically through several search engines until 10 matches are found. Allows use of boolean and proximity operators.

Family Friendly Search [151] - searches several kids-safe sites at the same time.

5 Minute Guide to the Internet: [126] This page covers definitions, navigation, and other basic necessities to be a successful "InterNaut".

Learning to use the Internet and the World Wide Web [127]: On-line textbooks for beginning or intermediate users, with examples and exercises.

Yahoo! Internet Life Surf School [128]: [128] Comments, advice and tips on how to surf the net.

LivingInternet.com [129] was developed to make information about the Internet available to as many people as possible. This site isn't fancy, but is a good current site on how to use certain Internet tools including Electronic Mail, Internet Relay Chat, and Multi-User Dimensions (MUDs). More advanced users will be able to find specific information without going through a long tutorial.

 
Literacy Resources
 

 

[152]

• Verizon Reads Literacy Programs [153]
• Verizon's Literacy University [154]
• Americas Literacy Directory [155]
• National Center for Family Literacy [156]
• National Institute for Literacy [157]

 

Home Work Support Sites

Career Development and
Job Search

 

My Virtual Reference Desk [158]" offers dozens of links to dictionaries, encyclopedias, reference/research materials, thesauruses, atlases, sport, entertainment and much more.

B.J. Pinchbeck's "Homework Helpe [159]r" is a wonderful guide to dictionaries, encyclopedias and reference materials.

Need to translate a word from English to Spanish, use the on-line VOX dictionary [160].

Comparative CyberLexicon [161] - a compilation of English terminology peculiar to computer culture and technology and its equivalents in Spanish.

Encyclopedia Smithsonian [162] - information about a variety of topics, from Smithsonian Institution sources.

Knowledge Adventure Reference Section [163] - bugs, dinosaurs, space -- you name it! Plus interesting information that can also help with your homework.

Web Directory: Encybe rpedia [164] - Information website which links together encyclopedias throughout the internet.

EdHound Español [165] - Everything for Hispanic primary and secondary education.

Job-Interview.net [166] - guide to job interviews with strategy and job specific tips, sample interview questions and answers, and practice/mock interviews.

Able Career Planning [167] - know yourself, find the right training, research specific occupations, plan a move, get recruited and ace the interview.

Curriculum Vitae Tip [168]s - includes advice on cover letters and resumes, salary surveys, and more

Resume Resources [169] - career and job-hunting resources guide including scannable resume fundamentals. .

 

 

Links to Other CTC's

College Financial Aid

 

CTCNe [170]t - this organization groups most of the nation CTC's.

US Dept. Of Ed. - CTC Program [171] The purpose of the CTC program is to promote the development of model programs that demonstrate the educational effectiveness of technology in urban and rural areas and economically distressed communities.

Byte Back [172] is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization which collaborates with other DC organizations to provide services to inner city residents. The main service we provide is computer training for low-income DC area youth and adults in order to increase their skill sets and marketability.

Neighborhood Networks [173] is a community-based initiative of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that encourages the development of resource and computer learning centers in privately owned HUD-assisted and/or -insured housing. These centers work to build self-reliant neighborhoods that meet the needs of lower-income families and seniors where they live. Review a verified listing of active Neighborhood Networks Centers across the nation.

Help is at Hand; [174] web site of the United Kingdom centers.

Somos Telecentros: [175] The Telecenters network of Latin America and the Caribbean

 

The main tool, the LoanFinde [176]r, sorts through a database of lenders and finds the best fitting Private/Alternative loans or federally guaranteed Stafford and Parent (PLUS) loans, with a minimum of effort on the user’s part.

fastWEB: [177]Financial aid search on the Web.  A database of 275,000 available scholarships.

TheStudent Guide 1999-2000 [178] tells how to apply for grants, loans, & work-study, the 3 major forms of student financial aid available through the Federal Student Financial Assistance Programs. This guide is the most comprehensive resource on student financial aid from the U.S. Department of Education.

Financial Aid Forms: To download financial aid forms from the U.S. Department of Education click here [179].   If you need help filing US Department of Education financial aid applications forms click here [180].

MOLIS: [181] Minority On-Line Information Services is a ground-breaking on-line database of 164 minority institutions which includes in-depth information about the educational capabilities of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI's). MOLIS delivers information on scholarships & fellowships, faculty profiles, research centers, degrees and other information.

The Scholarship Resource Network: [182]The Scholarship Resource Network is a one-stop resource for financial aid. The web site provides an overview of financial aid resources available to students with a special focus on scholarship information. It includes information on the scholarship process, calendars, answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ's) on scholarships, scholarship scams, Federal and State programs, and other useful links.

Saludos Web & Shy; Scholarships & Internships for Hispanics: [183]Saludos Web is a World Wide Web site devoted exclusively to promoting Hispanic careers and education supported by Saludos Hispanic magazine. In their site, Saludos has gathered information on scholarships and internships available for Hispanic Students, Saludos Web's exclusive internship and scholarship listings, and links to other internet financial aid resources.

The National Hispanic Scholarship Fund [184]provides scholarships and services to Hispanic students across the US and Puerto Rico. It is the largest Hispanic Scholarship organization in the United States. Since its inception in 1975 it has awarded over 31 million dollars to nearly 32,000 Hispanic American scholars in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

 
Hardware and software information sites
Teachers support sites

 

C/net help.com [185] - questions and answers regarding software and hardware.

C/net hardware reviews [186] - are you about to buy new equipment? This site will help you make the best choice.

C/net software riviews [187] - Looking for software reviews? This site will help you make the best choice.

[188] The MarcoPolo program provides no-cost, standards-based Internet content for the K-12 teacher and classroom, developed by the nation's content experts. Online resources include panel-reviewed links to top sites in many disciplines, professionally developed lesson plans, and classroom activities. Sites include materials to help with daily classroom planning, brief and extended lesson plans, reviewed and expert-approved links to related high-quality sites, and powerful search engines.

 
CTC Managers Resources
Resources for Non-Profits

 

Network Premie [189]r - The Network Primer provides an introduction for educators to network management and technology. You don’t have to know anything about these subjects to read (and, I hope, enjoy) it. If you are a manager with no technology background and you are responsible for technology planning, then this book will provide you with enough technical information so that you can ask the right questions and identify good answers.

The Consortium for School Networking [190] (COSN) has compiled a great web site that presents ongoing technology costs (total cost of ownership [tco]).

Computers In Our Future [191] (CIOF) has released several new resources based on
nearly four years of work with community technology centers in 11 low-income
communities throughout California. These resources include a series of
"Toolkits" with practical tips and examples for practitioners, and a newly
published report of lessons learned that was written for corporate and
community leaders, funders and policy makers.

Tech Atlas [192]: TechAtlas is a web-based planning tool that your nonprofit can use to assess your current technology use and to receive recommendations on how to better implement technology to achieve your mission.

StargazerNET [193], a project of the nonprofit Stargazer Foundation, is intended to support nonprofit activities and organizations in sharing knowledge and experience throughout the world, at no cost.

Compumentor [194]: The TechSoup.org web site, powerd by CompuMentor is a comprehensive collection of information available for nonprofit staff involved in information technology related activities.

Verizon Foundation Technology Resource Guide [195]: the Verizon Foundation Technology Resource Guidewas designed to help you keep pace with potential partners and tools to stay on the cutting edge. This Guide provides up-to-date information on web sites that we consider the best-in-class in helping you transform your organization with new technologies.

America Connects Consortium [196]: The America Connects Consortium is a collaboration of eight partners and allied organizations, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, who are working together to bring information, training, technical assistance, public attention, and new resources to community technology centers across the country.

CTC Sustainability Tool Kit [197]: Developed with funds from an America Connects Consortium Field Innovation Grant, LTC and the Lowell Community Technology Consortium were able to develop the CTC Sustainability Toolkit to
aid CTCs in assessing their sustainability.

 
Parents Resources
Courses

 

ParenTech [198] is a unique technology education campaign that provides free resources for families and educators of middle school kids (grades 6-8).

Learning Networks [199]: their site provides great resources for teachers, parents and students.

Free education on the Internet - Free-ed.net [200] Complete courses and tutorials for more than 120 different information technology, vocational and academic disciplines