Industry-Education Technology Partnership To Enhance Learning

June 26, 2007 -- A rural school district in Iowa is demonstrating that schools anywhere in the country are capable of arming students with the technology tools to succeed at the University-level and in the challenging, ever-changing job market. Tri-Center Community Schools has used a unique business model to partner with technology leaders HP, Microsoft and LSI to create an advanced computer network featuring new Serial Attached SCSI generation technology. Working with a local provider, the school offers student intern programs, parent access to grades and attendance 24/7, remote access for teachers, and a special e-mail program for students and staff. The technology model shows that it’s possible to move a school system forward even with limited budget.

BACKGROUND:

* Prior to implementing the industry-education technology partnership, Tri-Center’s network was in total disarray with limited access for teachers and students. The school partnered with Heartland Technology Solutions, a local provider, to bring current technology to the school through innovative leasing programs.
* By deploying HP servers with SAS drives, Heartland instantly increased Tri-Center’s system performance by a factor of 4, thereby eliminating system bottlenecks and allowing e-mail applications to run smoothly. The school currently deploys over 2 terabytes of storage, about the capacity found in a university research library.
* Teachers at the school view the technology as a huge motivational tool to get students excited about learning.


Produced for LSI Corporation