The Office of Broadband and Digital Literacy
The Office of Digital Education

Mission

Support the mission and vision of the California Technology Agency through promoting and fostering statewide Digital Education, Broadband and Digital Literacy initiatives, which will improve California's Broadband adoption through the creation and deployment of new advanced communication technologies. Develop critical business relationships between the California Technology Agency and key external groups and constituencies to close the digital divide.

Vision

The Office of Broadband and Digital Literacy and the Office of Digital Education will cultivate collaborative and transparent relationships by connecting with key stakeholders through creative effective outreach and marketing. We will establish long term goals and objectives through strategic planning and develop metrics to measure progress and achievements.

In the Spotlight

Connect2Compete Launches EveryoneOn Campaign (May 2013)

Connect2Compete is launching a three year campaign to assist Americans to become connected and get online with low cost Internet and digital literacy training in their communities. The national program will help Americans access technology through three offers for free digital literacy training, discounted high-speed Internet, and low-cost computers.

More information available here: www.connect2compete.org

Internet Essentials Helps Bridge Digital Divide – Connects more than 150,000 Families (May 2013)

Internet Essentials, Comcast’s affordable digital connection program, which offers online services to low income Americans, is reporting that 600,000 new users are on the Internet as of May 2013. Internet Essentials is expanding to reach approximately 2.6 million eligible families in its service area, and has reached out to more than 4,000 school districts nationwide. For 2013, the program is expanding its eligibility to homeschool, parochial and private schoolchildren, offering new low-cost computer options, and providing an option for non-profits to pre-purchase a year of service for eligible families.

More information available here: www.internetessentials.com

Engineering & Technology Programs for Students

In order to increase interest in technology among American students and maintain our nation's ability to lead innovation in the future, 4-H is offering programs in filmmaking and robotics.

Read full article on the 4-H.org website.

California State Library to distribute 1,000 Google Chromebooks to California Public Libraries

Sacramento, CA – With the goal of creating more access to the Internet in public libraries, the California State Library has awarded a grant to Califa Library Group, a non-profit consortium of libraries in California, to distribute one thousand Google Chromebooks to public libraries throughout the state.

"Access to digital resources is something all Californians should have," said Acting State Librarian Gerald Maginnity. "Part of the mission of the State Library is to help libraries serve those in their communities who want to find information online but don't have a home computer. By making Chromebooks available for loan, libraries can help bridge the digital divide."

Read full article on the California State Library website.

Governor Jerry Brown Applauds New CSU Online Pilot Project

San Jose, CA – Gov. Jerry Brown was on hand Tuesday as California State University officials announced a new partnership with the online education company Udacity to offer three basic-skills courses this semester at San Jose State. Brown has been an advocate for state colleges and universities to expand online course offerings as a way to keep students' costs down and ensure they can get the classes they need to graduate in a timely manner.

"The longer you stay [in college], the more you spend," Brown said. "Online is part of that solution."

Read full article on the Los Angeles Times website.