May 10, 2008
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AIT Receives AT&T Foundation Grant To Develop Computer Learning Centers at Bloomington’s Banneker Center
The Agency for Instructional Technology (AIT), a Bloomington-based, nonprofit organization specializing in the development and distribution of educational technology, has received a $49,911 Excelerator grant from the AT&T Foundation to support the creation of learning centers for individual or parent-child use at the City of Bloomington’s Banneker Community Center.
AIT is a leading developer and distributor of quality educational products. “The AT&T grant will allow us to expand educational services for adults and children in our community,” said Chuck Wilson, executive director for AIT. “It is so important in this day and age to provide technology tools to support and improve educational opportunities.”
The Banneker Community Center, located at 930 W. 7th St., serves an average of 25 children daily in its free after-school program, while the Family Resource Center on Banneker’s third floor hosts a number of parents and young children for story times, education workshops, and playgroups. Banneker also houses a branch of the Monroe County Public Library.
AIT will install five computers, each loaded with educational program packages for elementary, middle and high school students, at Banneker. Software packages on each computer will allow access to a variety of information, including an electronic encyclopedia, dictionary and world atlas. Other software programs could include a variety of topics, from keyboarding to preventing gun violence.
“We didn’t want any burden to fall onto Banneker,” Wilson said of the grant project, “so the software we’ve chosen is not dated, and will have no issues for at least three years.”
“We are so fortunate to have an organization like AIT right here in Bloomington,” said Bev Johnson, Adult and Family Services Manager with the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department. “We are delighted they’ve chosen to work with us to establish this state-of-the-art learning center at Banneker. It shows beyond a doubt how committed AIT is to the community and to providing such awesome opportunities for children.”
“AIT is offering us a premier opportunity to open Banneker’s doors to the whole community,” Leslie Brinson, Facility/Program Coordinator at Banneker, said. “We can’t wait to invite everyone into the building to experience the technology and see the huge variety of other programs we have to offer.”
Besides the computers and educational software, the AT&T Excelerator grant will help provide printers for each computer, plus desks and chairs for each computer work station. An open house is scheduled for Thursday, May 3 from 5 – 7 p.m. at Banneker to showcase the learning center and to demonstrate the software packages to the community.
For more information contact: Chuck Wilson, Executive Director, Agency for Instructional Technology, (812) 335-7667