Project EASE

ITFlorida and several key partners have identified an opportunity to provide a new model for bridging the digital divide in the K-12 education segment. Project EASE (Equal Access Solutions for Education) seeks to replicate the success that Florida Atlantic University enjoys with their GENIE Project, which enables distance learning with critical access to applications and content for their Geomatics land survey engineering program.

Using virtualization technology from Citrix, it is possible to create a system whereby older desktop computers are cleaned, rehabbed, and equipped with a Citrix interface. The interface, by dialing through a conventional phone line, would be able to connect with a bank of servers that connect to the internet and provide conventional software applications, including educational software. By shifting the horsepower of the system from the desktop to the server room, overall costs are greatly diminished (estimates are, by half) through economy of scale principles.

A key advantage to such a configuration is the sustainability of the model, if replicated across large populations.

If proof of concept is demonstrated through Project EASE, the implications are significant. Such a system would not only help bridge the digital divide but also provide a cost effective way to provide computing across the Florida school system and in other arenas. Also, there is considerable benefit to Florida's emerging green policy, as there would be a new market for repurposed computers.

Closing the Digital Divide is crucial for sustaining a growing economy that includes everyone. Project EASE is a significant step in the right direction.

White Paper

Next Steps

ITFlorida, Citrix, and the other partners listed below have been engaged during the summer of 2008 designing a project plan for creating two or three pilot programs to demonstrate the proposed technologies. The pilot programs would be implemented for currently at-risk students in one or more classrooms in Florida. Identifying funding partners for these pilots are a key next step for Project EASE.

Partners

ITFlorida
Citrix
Creative Recycling
Digital Divide Council
Florida Atlantic University
Minority E-Commerce Association

Links

http://www.fau.edu/communications/mediarelations/Releases0108/010814.php