October 23, 2007 – Denver, Colorado – OpenWorld Learning has been selected by IBM to receive a Teaming for Technology Colorado grant for 15 new computers. OWL was honored to be chosen as the foremost recipient of this initiative, receiving 15 IBM ThinkPads valued at $24,105.

Chris Myers, OWL CEO and Founder and Tina Williams, OWL Director of Community Relations were delighted to meet with Brian Choc, Colorado Teaming for Technology, Community Relations and Jacob Lujan, Colorado Teaming for Technology, Program Director as part of the selection process. Brian Choc and Jacob Lujan were able to directly see the benefits of the OWL program at Colfax Elementary.

OWL is a tuition-free, fully voluntary after-school and summer educational program for third through fifth graders and is also operational in one pilot middle school. Each OWL program meets four days a week for three hours a day, and includes a snack, 30 minutes of vigorous physical exercise, 90 minutes of computer project time in which children design their own software, and 30 minutes of homework and writing support.

OWL recruits and trains teachers at each of its sites, typically college students, recent graduates and retirees. Also leading each site is a volunteer team of six “Student Leaders” promoted from the ranks of OWL students. OWL chooses Student Leaders who exemplify a love of learning, creativity, hard work, and a passion for helping others. Peer teaching develops children’s teamwork and leadership abilities and helps to create a powerful and positive culture within the classrooms.

The distribution of computer hardware on behalf of IBM was one of the main reasons for creation of Teaming for Technology programs across the country. IBM had been giving computers to nonprofits for years, but found that, in many cases, these computers were being underutilized due to a lack of training and support. This grant was reformatted into the T4T TechLaunch Program to not only give computers to nonprofits, but also to ensure that the proper training and support are given to the agency to best employ the donated technology.

The T4T TechLaunch Program gives selected agencies computing hardware to fill gaps in their technology needs, but more importantly, gives them the tools to build their organization’s technological capacity. The program is not meant to completely meet the technology needs an agency may have, but rather serves as a “jumpstart” for the agency to apply the skills acquired in the program to better utilize the technology equipment they already possess. The program also imparts agencies with the skills necessary to obtain technology grants from other funders.

OWL will be utilizing the 15 IBM ThinkPads to reach an additional 15 children at an OWL site. Chris Myers, OWL CEO and Founder said, “We are grateful to IBM for helping OWL turn the lights on in school computer labs and in children’s minds.” This will accomplish the short-term goal of serving more children and creating more independent, creative thinkers. Long term, OWL will be able to create a model for increasing site capacity and will create a mobile training center to enhance program development and expansion plans. In 2007, OWL grew from 9 to 15 sites and plans to expand to 120 sites in 3 states by 2011. Tina Williams, OWL Director of Community Relations said, “We are grateful to receive this very generous donation from IBM Teaming for Technology Colorado which will help us expand our reach and increase the number of students that we serve.”

Submitted by:
Tina Williams
Director of Community Relations
OpenWorld Learning