The main objective of this initiative is to secure necessary funding to transform KC into a smart school that leverages information and communication technology (ICT) to improve the school's administrative, teaching and learning processes.
As Information Technology (IT) becomes more pervasive, lack of access to IT will increasingly limit students' economic and educational opportunities. Learning is no longer confined to the physical school building or the classroom but can take place in computer labs, via television, or the Internet. KC needs to take advantage of available technology in order to meet the challenges of educating students for an increasing complex world.
Over the years the various chapters of the KCOBA have donated a variety of computer hardware and software to the school. Most recently, Rainford "Perry" Bloomfield of the New York chapter coordinated development of an application to help teachers tabulate student grades.
Most of our efforts so far have been ad hoc and there has been no strategic vision of how the school will adopt information technology. This is where the ICT initiative enters the picture. When fully realized the school will have tools and resources to greatly enhance teaching and learning.
Glen Laman and Derrick Wright of the Atlanta chapter visited KC for several days in March, 2011 to assess the Information and Communication Technology capability of the college. They held several meetings with the acting principal, Mr. Everton Burrell, members of the Administration, IT personnel and various staff members. Derrick has written a proposal based on the data gathered during the site visit.
Gerald Hector, an old boy who is a VP at Johnson C. Smith University will be a key player in the next step in this process which is to seek funding from corporate entities to finance the much need improvements at KC. He will initiate contact with appropriate corporate groups that might be receptive to our proposal.
One of the more pressing needs at KC is to computerize the school's administrative functions. Currently, most records are kept on paper in manual systems. Upgrading to a computerized system is an important step in an overall ICT project to transform the school and place it on a new trajectory toward more effective teaching and learning.
Phase I therefore will involve the acquisition and implementation of school management software, expansion of existing IT infrastructure, conversion of legacy data and training of staff and other users.
If you would like to contribute to this initiative, you can donate online at the following link: Donate to KC
Glen Laman
KCOBA (GA) Inc