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Schools� computers may have to go Andrew Mariman photo Computer subcontractor Dick Hamblin, of Medford, talks with ZapMe company representatives to try and remedy problems with its computers at Ashland High School. ZapMe offered local schools 15 free computers in exchange for displaying advertisements on screen. Faced with financial difficulties, however, ZapMe is now requesting the schools pay a monthly fee or buy the computers outright. By Tony Boom ASHLAND � The changing fortunes of a national company may force two Ashland schools and South Medford High to each give up 15 free computers and network-supplied educational offerings. Facing the �digital dilemma� ASHLAND � How much free technology and technology-related curriculum school districts accept "depends on how desperate you are," says a Southern Oregon University education professor. "My classes called it the �digital dilemma�," said Arnie Abrams, who studies and teaches educational media. The issues range from ZapMe�s free computer lab to computers donated by individuals to educational services offered by major firms. One Seattle firm, HeadBone, offers free school content. But the industry trend is headed toward sites for which schools are charged on a per-student basis, Abrams said. Microsoft has such a site. Channel 1 offers 12 minutes of news in schools each day over a free television network it provides. Of that, two minutes are commercials. ZapMe displays ads on computer screens. "Ashland is one of the few places where people get upset about advertising," said Abrams. "Channel 1 is very successful because you can use the equipment for the rest of the day for what you want." Abrams recommends that schools not accept computers more than 2 years old. Older machines might work for a word processing lab, but they couldn�t handle the latest Internet offerings. Abrams said research shows schools can throw good money away by maintaining out-of-date computers. "The cost for support may outrun the worth of the project," said Abrams. Some critics of company-supplied curriculum contend outside suppliers take away local control and may provide inappropriate materials, he noted. "You get what you pay for to some degree," Abrams said. Ashland High School, Ashland Middle School and South Medford accepted an offer for the free computers from ZapMe in fall 1999. In exchange, ZapMe was allowed to display advertisements on the computer screens. The firm hoped to underwrite system expenses and make a profit by charging advertisers. In the face of plummeting stock value, however, the company now seeks to sell the computers to the schools, sell subscriptions to a learning service that includes computer use or help with fund raising to retain labs. If those alternatives don�t happen, the machines will be removed. Neither Ashland school has the funds to purchase the equipment or to subscribe to the service, but both are investigating the fund-raising possibility, officials said. South Medford is considering letting the firm reclaim the computers. The service has had mixed reviews. Lab operations have been plagued by technical problems with the system, which includes a satellite downlink, a server, 15 Toshiba computers with Pentium III processors and monitors. A "Zap Me Closed" sign hangs outside the Ashland High lab. Repeated breakdowns and the possible surrender of the computers have put a halt to re-establishment of operations. Some Ashland High teachers had class sessions using ZapMe-supplied curriculum. The lab was popular during the lunch hour when students could check their e-mail or visit Web sites. "When it was working, it was OK. I wouldn�t say it was great," said social science and history teacher Bill Gabriel. A virtual stock exchange which students used was worthwhile, he said. "If they�re charging money now (it�s) not worth it. There�s not a lot of bang for the buck, especially when it�s down so often," Gabriel said. Ashland High students have access to other Internet-based resources to help with research. The school district pays for some of the services and has links to others that are free. "It was nice to have it when it was working, but it did seem to crash a lot," said middle school teacher Andy Burt. "When all the computers were going at the same time, (there were) lots of technical problems. The regular school lab is more reliable and you have people right there." Students looked at the ads initially, but that declined after a while, said Burt. Students were always supervised in the lab, and ZapMe screened content as well. Gilat Satellite Networks bought 51 percent of ZapMe in October. ZapMe stock had been as high as $13.75 per share in November 1999. Last week, it was trading for less than $1 per share. As part of its deal with Gilat, ZapMe is looking for a buyer for the education program. Pressure by consumer advocates concerned over children�s exposure to advertisements led companies to stay away from the service, said ZapMe spokesperson Julie Crandall. Nationwide, 2,300 schools have the ZapMe Service. ZapMe�s plan to stay solvent gives the schools four options: Schools can subscribe to the service for $1,322 per month and continue to use the equipment; the lab equipment can be purchased for $12,995 and the service provided for $500 per month; a personalized fund-raising approach can be developed to help the schools purchase the computers; or ZapMe will help schools pursue grants and financial assistance. "We can get computers for less than that (ZapMe price)," said South Medford Principal Cynda Rickert. "There are other things that we can use to meet the same need." Channel 1 keeps kids in touch Channel 1 provides public schools with networked televisions for all classrooms and a satellite link. In return for the equipment, students watch a 12-minute newscast that has two minutes of commercials. The broadcasts also include features that run over several days. Channel 1 asks that schools show the broadcast to a set percentage of students, but it doesn�t monitor for compliance. South Medford High School Principal Cynda Rickert said it is supposed to run in 80 percent of the classrooms In Talent Middle School, Channel 1 is shown during two 35-minute periods in the middle of the day. Those sessions function as homerooms and study halls while other students have lunch. "I think that the information the kids are getting keeps them aware of what�s going on," said Talent Principal Patty Kinney. "A lot of our kids don�t watch news programs at home. It�s a tool to help spark discussion and help them be aware of a more global picture." Generally, kids are tuned in and watch closely, said Kinney. The show often sparks discussion during the commercials. The schools get to use the system as they wish for the remainder of the day. Talent recently showed its evening Christmas concert during class hours. A TMS Today news show created by students is also planned for network broadcast. Channel 1�s satellite broadcasts offer a variety of education programs that can be videotaped for use in the classroom. might work for a word processing lab, but they couldn�t handle the latest Internet offerings. Abrams said research shows schools can throw good money away by maintaining out-of-date computers. "The cost for support may outrun the worth of the project," said Abrams. Some critics of company-supplied curriculum contend outside suppliers take away local control and may provide inappropriate materials, he noted. "You get what you pay for to some degree," Abrams said. Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.