What is ITEC?

A nonprofit, collaborative partnership between community, business, education, and government, ITEC's mission is to increase technology skills of Lansing area children and adults so as to better prepare them to participate in a fast-paced, global IT-based economy.

Vision:

To enable Lansing area residents to acquire flexible, transferable technological skills that will allow them to participate in a fast-paced global economy.

Purpose:

ITEC-Lansing will engage youth in a variety of technology-based activities designed to enhance performance in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), as well as improve reading and digital writing skills.

These activities are consistent with research indicating that computer technology facilitates learning and performance when it supports the four fundamentals of learning:
    1. Active Engagement
    2. Participation in Groups
    3. Frequent Interaction and Feedback
    4. Connections to Real-World Contexts (Roschelle et al., 2000).

Need for a Technology Center:

Math, science, and technological skills are a prerequisite for success in the 21st century.

Due to a decline in recent years of students entering technological fields, public and private institutions must find creative ways to prepare today's youth for technological careers in the future.

Despite near universal access to the Internet at school, a digital divide based on race and income in home Internet access remains. African American youth and youth whose parents have lower income are less likely to have home Internet access than other youth (Jackson, Ervin, Gardner & Schmitt, 2001b; Hoffman, Novak & Schlosser, 2001; PEW, 2006e). Because these disparities are based primarily on income, their overall effect is that lower income students have fewer opportunities, amplifying existing disparities in digital skills and literacy, which contributes to even wider disparities in income (Van Dijk, 2005). ITEC-Lansing will provide access to the digitally divided and engage Lansing youth with a unique approach that uses guided play and experiential learning.

The Greater Lansing Area is lacking in access to wireless Internet connections, particularly in economically disadvantaged regions. A map of wireless "hot spots" and the locations of elementary schools is shown here.

Philosophy:

The goal to "Enrich Community, Economic, and Family Life" is a key component in Michigan State University's Boldness by Design strategic plan. The Info Technology Empowerment Center will provide MSU faculty, staff, and student volunteers opportunities to teach courses, serve as mentors, and assist residents during recreational activities. In the future, we hope to draw a pool of participants from Lansing Community College, Davenport University, Cooley Law School, area high schools, service organizations, community members, local companies, and Michigan Works! In this way, the entire community can contribute to the project. Volunteers enhance their own knowledge of technology by teaching others and gain valuable experience teaching and interacting with technology learners.

Benefits for the Lansing Community:

ITEC-Lansing will:

    • Help to build Lansing's reputation as a "high-tech" city by providing opportunities to develop technology and associated media skills.

    • Promote local access to computers and high-speed Internet in neighborhoods with very low current access.

    • Serve as a "drop-in" center for students, providing both supervised/assisted IT-based activities and unstructured learning activities.

    • Increase enthusiasm for and participation in STEM disciplines.

    • Expand access to technology for Capital Region and Lansing School District students and families.

    • Enrich community, economic, and family life for the Lansing School District, and other Capital-region districts, students, and families.

    • Promote synergy among private and public institutions in the Capital Region.