Send us a text

On this episode of Connected Nation, we take a deep dive with those behind efforts to improve high-speed internet coverage across all areas of Texas – which is not an easy task when you consider how large the Lone Star State is.

We’ll discuss what it has taken to develop better broadband coverage data for a whopping 254 counties – we’ll ask why that’s so important and explore the reason 2022 is a critical time not for just Texas but for every state in the union.
 
Related links:
Interactive broadband coverage map:  https://connectednation.org/texas/interactivemap

State Maps Link: https://connectednation.org/texas/state-maps
County Maps Link: https://connectednation.org/texas/county-maps/

The Connected Nation Texas website: connectednation.org/texas 

Send us a text

On this episode of Connected Nation we talk with the co-founder and CEO of Eventnoire – a premiere ticketing platform for events that embrace black culture. The company recently won a national startup competition for its innovative work.
 
Learn how the company supports event organizers and business leaders within the black community in a unique way – that both celebrates black culture AND provides a new path to success - and find out why the CEO calls internet access "the great equalizer."

Related links:
Company website - https://eventnoire.com/
Create an event - https://eventnoire.com/sign-up/
In the news - Eventnoire wins national startup competition
Follow Eventnoire on social media - Twitter at  @eventnoire AND Facebook at EventNoire

Send us a text

On this episode of Connected Nation  we talk with the Founder and CEO of Core Learning Exchange—a national organization focused on CTE and STEM training.
 
Learn how the company is creating more diverse and equitable online learning models  WHILE at the same time pivoting training to respond to major surges in the job market – that make those who finish the program in-demand.   
 
Related links:
Core Learning exchange website: https://www.corelearningexchange.com/

Check this out: 1-minute product demo

Review the Core Learning Exchange course catalog (email required): https://docsend.com/view/89gt3p677qtvb5s5

A Rural and Small Schools Grant Program details: 
https://www.corelearningexchange.com/blog/announcing-the-core-rural-and-small-schools-career-technical-education-grant-phase-ii

Send us a text

On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with the Vice President of Connect K12 about the recently released “Report on School Connectivity.”
 
Find out what new data shows us about internet connectivity at America’s schools, what’s now being used as the standard benchmark for districts, and what’s on the line as Connect K-12 focuses on empowering state and school district leaders to improve their schools’ digital learning capabilities.
 
 Related links:
Report on School Connectivity – Funding Year 2021
Connect K-12 website - https://connectk12.org/
Twitter – @connect_k12
Facebook – GetConnectK12
Press release - January 10, 2022 press release on connectivity report 

Send us a text

In this episode of Connected Nation,  we talk with leadership from nation’s third largest agricultural co-ops – Land O’Lakes, Inc.  Learn why the farmer-owned organization is now taking active steps to close the Digital Divide and how leadership hopes to close digital equity gaps in rural America by partnering with a national nonprofit that works to grow civic leaders in under-resourced communities.
 
Related links:
Land O'Lakes, Inc. website - https://www.landolakesinc.com/

American Connection Project - https://www.americanconnectionproject.com/articles/about-the-american-connection-corps/

Pew Research Study referenced
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/09/10/about-a-quarter-of-rural-americans-say-access-to-high-speed-internet-is-a-major-problem/

 USDA report on farm computer usage and ownership
https://downloads.usda.library.cornell.edu/usda-esmis/files/h128nd689/8910k592p/qz20t442b/fmpc0819.pdf

A snapshot of the top 100 agricultural co-ops
https://www.morningagclips.com/a-snapshot-of-the-top-100-agricultural-cooperatives/

 

Send us a text

On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with former Microsoft Executive and Amazon Senior Vice President David Risher.

Learn how he plans to reach one billion children with his Worldreader program, why he says readers have better lives overall, and the reason he believes  expanding broadband access can positively impact the nation’s literacy rates. 

Related links:
Worldreader website 

Worldreader app: bebooksmart.com

Follow Worldreader and its founder on Twitter @worldreaders and @davidrisherWR

More about David Risher: https://www.worldreader.org/david-risher/

Pew Research study referenced in podcast - https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/06/22/digital-divide-persists-even-as-americans-with-lower-incomes-make-gains-in-tech-adoption/

Send us a text

On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with the Executive Director of Link Oregon – a nonprofit working to create and operate a statewide, high-speed fiber-optic network for the public and non-profit sectors. 

Learn how the organization is tackling the need on tribal lands, collaborating with other western states to get the job done, AND the role wildfires (among other natural disasters) play when it comes to planning for expanding broadband access. 
 
Related links:
https://www.linkoregon.org/

Link Oregon Network Map (updated March 2021) 

Send us a text

On this episode of Connected Nation we talk with the author of the book entitled “Farm Fresh Broadband—the politics of rural connectivity.”
 
Learn why he says US broadband policy is "broken," what many of use are getting wrong about rural America, and how taking a new, more informed approach could finally help close the rural-urban Digital Divide.

Related links:
Follow Dr. Ali on Twitter at@Ali_Christopher

Get your copy of Farm Fresh Broadband - https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/farm-fresh-broadband

Send us a text

On this episode of Connected Nation, we take you on a worldwide adventure courtesy of those behind what’s been dubbed “The Great Empatico Expedition.”  Learn how this free program empowers students and teachers from more than 160 countries to explore the world—creating experiences that spark curiosity, kindness, and empathy for others.

Related links:
Check out the website: https://empatico.org/
Follow on Twitter at @EmpaticoOrg and on Facebook. 

Get started with Empatico. This short video explains how:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoqsDq5-gWcThey. 

OR click here for a downloadable pdf detailing the Great Empatico Expedition.

Send us a text

On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with the authors of a new, national report that examines “learning at home while being under-connected.” The report's authors went directly to parents to learn how they coped with the unexpected challenges of COVID-19. 

Find out what the research revealed about remote learning, what it uncovered about digital inequities among our nation’s families, and what parents think schools should prioritize moving forward. 

Related links:
Connect with the study's authors on Twitter: Professor Vikki Katz and Vicky Rideout

Full report - https://www.newamerica.org/education-policy/reports/learning-at-home-while-underconnected/

Key findings - https://www.newamerica.org/education-policy/reports/learning-at-home-while-underconnected/key-findings/