Technology Center Use

Some of the project goals are to use the Technology Center for higher education, career renewal, and workforce training needs.  Since our grand opening, we have seen a steady flow of visitors as people (young and old) drop in to use the lab. 

The Technology Center is also quickly becoming the focal point for learning.  Several groups have reserved the lab for various community based classes.  For example, the Tribe’s Benewah Medical Center hosted a Cancer Survivor’s Conference and used the lab to teach their patients how to use the internet to research their illness and seek online support groups.

October 2005, Cancer Survivor’s Group

We have also had several other classes to increase computer literacy and help community members reach their education or workforce goals:

In January, 2005 we delivered our first Interactive Video Conferncing college course for credit.  While we had three classes lined up, students only enrolled for one class, Child Development through North Idaho College.  We have plans to deliver three classes for the Fall Semester.

Cyber Tutoring

One of our favorite projects was the Cyber Tutoring pilot project, which was a collaboration between the Tribe’s Dept of Education and Washington State University.  The intent was to provide tutoring to high school juniors and seniors who were at risk of not graduating from high school.  Ten students from Lakeside High School were paired with six graduate students from Washington State University.  They participated in daily cybertutoring sessions using Polycom software, a webcam, and some headphones.

WSU and the Tribe Dept of Education are currently in the planning process to offer Cyber Tutoring again in the Fall.

Cyber Tutoring Live View

Technology Center Stats
August 2005 thru June 2006

We installed Tax Preparation software on several workstations for the tax seasion.  This may explain the increase in lab users for the month of March.