Connecting the Classroom to the Home
The WISH TV (WorldGate Internet 
School to Home TV) Education Project provides secure Internet access to schools and homes at no charge by using a cable set-top converter, television and cable TV broadband infrastructure. This project removes the need for costly computers and phone lines that are beyond the means of many schools and families. WISH TV has the potential to be a practical solution to the digital divide that can benefit everyone by giving parents, teachers and students access to the Internet from school and home directly from a television.
The WISH TV pilot launched in January 2001 to elementary schools in Illinois, Ohio and Louisiana. The project involves partners from the private and public sectors, including cable operators, public broadcasting, higher education institutions, and public elementary and secondary schools. Partners are providing programming, professional development, curriculum development, academic assessment and program evaluation. A sample of what WISH TV is aiming to accomplish includes increasing parent-teacher involvement, improving proficiency of Internet use, providing access to community resources, and raising adult literacy through a link to GED and career information. WorldGate Communications, Inc., Trevose, PA, (215) 354-5100, www.wgate.com.
This article originally appeared in the 08/01/2001 issue of THE Journal.