Mr. Ekberg taught for 23 years before becoming a technical/internet coordinator for various education service units (ESU's) in Nebraska. He spends sixty percent of his coordinating time with Imperial Grade School and Chase County High School; the remainder is spent with ESU #10 (Kearney area), ESU #15 (Trenton area), and ESU #16 (Ogallala & North Platte area from the Colorado border to Bartlett and as far north as Mullen). Math/Science money or DDE Funding pays half for any software, hardware, or other needed materials. Carl Perkins money pays for the other half.

What exactly does a "technical/internet coordinator" do? Using technology and the Internet, he facilitates student-directed learning that prepares children for future success. Yet, computers are not the main focus.

Students use technology to do a lot of reading and writing in projects Mr. Ekberg has started. He explains, "I am not a computer person. We use technology as a tool. If you can't use it as an educational experience, then there is no sense in doing it." He further stated that he does not believe schools should teach a software package as a class in itself because the market is growing too quickly. Different versions and better packages often go out to the public before such a class is completed.

On the evening of September 24, "Technology at a Distance" (TAAD) was launched as a pilot program based out of the Imperial Public Schools. Southwest Nebraska teachers and students work as an online team using Office 97 software. Mr. Ekberg coordinates with teachers and students within every segment of the entire project. Participating teachers from the region facilitate the online classroom adventures in their schools.

Mr. Ekberg turned to the computer, "brought up" a page of the site, and noted the project's theme: "Students never learn from the physical technology. They learn from competent instructors teaching with the technology." He added that several measures have been taken to protect the children. The entire project is password-protected. All names are aliases, and the project site is for school use only. Also, the students maintain ownership of any programs created or innovative ideas they generate.

"These kids learn by doing," he said. "This project prepares them for the real world. We challenge each other to get better, and we work as a team."

TAAD's segments & competent instructors:

Auto-Generated Home Pages - Tom Moss (from Wauneta-Palisade)

• The students are building an automated home page program that will help novice computer users make their own web pages.

Story Book - Connie Pribbeno (Imperial) and Paula Pralle (currently in Kansas)

• Students' stories are posted online for other students to read. The young author either writes his/her story or tells the story over the phone. The computer "hears" and transfers it to a sound file attached to the story.

Multi-Media Magic - Virginia Harford (Imperial) and Marla Smith (Imperial)

• The young adventurers make online slide presentations -- Quick Time Virtual Reality (QTVR) -- of their schools and communities. They take photographs, then put them on the computer in a sweeping view of their school or community. The students can, then, take online tours of each other's "worlds."

The BOSS - Sharon Kluender (Imperial) and Pat Ekberg (Orleans)

• Paul Ekberg developed this about four years ago. It is a full school year project that develops "real life" job skills. The first semester is called, "Get a Job." The students learn how to find available jobs, apply for them, experience a live online interview with Pat Ekberg, fill out forms (like W-4's), and maintain the job.
• The second semester is called, "Making It Grow." This is a simulation of various investments the students can make with the money they have earned at their chosen job: stock market, CD's, or entrepreneurial ventures of selling a service or product.

Plant-It - Randy Vlasin (Imperial)

• The students will learn horticulture and agriculture. The new greenhouse at Chase County Public Schools will be used, too. All of these subprojects use Internet research as an information resource.

The Trip - Steve Van Boening (Paxton)

• Young explorers design a real field trip with itinerary and budget considerations, even working with the administration on requesting funds for the expenses. Then, they take the trip.

Other participants:

Mary Beshaler (Stapleton)
Wendy Citta (Sutherland)
Lisa Fox (Stratton)
Mickey Gette (Hall)
Carol Haight (ESU 16)
Jill Hansen (Hershey)
Sue Hauser (Stapleton)
Shawna Johnsen (Medicine Valley)
Ron Kelton (Hyannis)
Dennis Krominga (McPherson County Schools)
Jeff Messersmith (Culbertson)
Peggy Parker (Dundy Co. High School)
Joanne Peters (County Center - North Platte)
Sue Sorensen (Twin Valley)
Sylvia Williams (Miller)
Linda Wood (Republican Valley)
Terry Wortman (Hayes Center)

For more information on the
online education projects, click here:

http://www.chase3000.com/pekberg/tec.htm

Mr. Paul Ekberg at work.