Tech a Hit in Mississippi Schools

Mississippi teacher Lynne Houston was more than a little surprised when her principal and superintendent asked her to attend a workshop on building computers.

By Katie Dean Wired News

"I thought they had both lost their minds," Houston said in a charming Southern drawl. "I don’t break my fingernails, OK?"

But the experience marked a significant turning point in her teaching career. After learning how to build and troubleshoot computers, she shared that knowledge with her students at Hattiesburg High School and saw tremendous results.

Her students are excited about building computers, she said, because they can see how their new skills apply in the real world. Their interest in building the machines carries over into other subjects. Once the Internet-ready computers hit the classroom, kids have access to numerous resources.

"It is the most exciting educational opportunity that I found I can provide for students," she said.

Hattiesburg High School is one of about 40 schools in 27 counties around the state that offer computer construction programs. ExplorNet, a nonprofit organization, trains teachers, provides curricula and orders the necessary computer parts.

Students learn how to build computers from scratch, and to troubleshoot and refurbish donated machines. They also learn basic networking, which prepares them for A+ certification as an entry-level computer technician.

The program is supported by a combination of state, public and private dollars. It’s also helping Mississippi reach an important goal. By Dec. 31, every classroom in the state will have an Internet-accessible computer. It will be the first state to claim this distinction, according to Gov. Ronnie Musgrove.

"I initiated the computers-in-the-classroom program to make sure that every student in our state had access to the most up-to-date, broadest information available in the world," Musgrove said. "Everyone said that in a rural state it couldn’t be done." Students have built nearly 6,000 computers to accomplish this goal.

Houston, who teaches seven different subjects, said the program has been a boon for her class of 12 at-risk students.

At first, the idea of turning her students loose in a room full of computer parts made her think she’d "died and gone to hell." But the program "completely and totally turned them around." Kids who were skipping class came to school on a regular basis, and students who were failing are now passing their classes, Houston said.

"I’m so proud of these kids," she said. "It’s been a tremendous turnaround, not only for the students, but for the school."

Now all teachers at Hattiesburg High have a computer in their classroom. A year ago, none did.

Statewide, most of the computers were built over the summer during a program funded by the Workforce Investment Act. Students in 12 locations around the state worked eight hours a day for $8 an hour to build the machines.

"That’s more than some of their parents make," said ExplorNet CEO Dave Bolick. "That (work) gave them feelings of success that they might never have had."

During the year, kids from around the state have also gathered for three so-called Blitz Builds where they build computers in teams. The final Blitz Build will be held Dec. 11 in Jackson.

"We had one team from a school in DeSoto County that built 13 computers in five hours," Bolick said.

Gov. Musgrove has seen the kids in action during the Blitz Builds.

"You can see the excitement on the young people’s faces," he said. "It gives them a chance to help and gain more skills. I believe this program will have a significant impact on more students going to college for further training."

Students say the program has provided them with new opportunities.

"Early in the summer, I wasn’t planning on working because I was planning on hanging out with my cousins in Texas," said Aundrey Weddington, a senior at Port Gibson High School. "But when I heard this news, I changed my plans."

He said the money he earned building computers will help him fix up his car and save for college. He also learned some valuable technology skills.

"Now I can go in and troubleshoot and solve the problems," Weddington said. "If any teachers have any problems, they can find me and I’ll help them."

Tawane Burks, also from the small town of Port Gibson, said the tech skills he’s picked up have inspired him to start his own computer-repair business. He’s writing a grant proposal to get some startup funding.

"Computers are not going anywhere," Burks said. "This is part of the future, and everyone needs to know something about them." Both Weddington and Burks are studying to take the A+ certification exam.

"This has saved the state of Mississippi a significant amount of money, and at the same time it’s providing students with real-world job skills," Bolick said. The savings add up to about $2 million, said Andrew Smith, state director of ExplorNet Mississippi.

As a result, "Communities become more attractive for economic development, and Mississippi becomes educationally and economically stronger," Bolick added.

"This is a major step in our strategy to have the most competent, capable and skilled workforce in the nation," Musgrove said.

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