How Connect Ohio tracks broadband availability inquiries

When consumers do not have broadband service or they are unsure of the providers in their area, they are able to submit a broadband inquiry to Connect Ohio via our website (http://connectohio.org/), e-mail (info@connectohio.org), or phone (866-881-9424). Submitting a broadband inquiry allows Connect Ohio to update any mapping errors in BroadbandStat and provide consumers with provider resources they may not realize exist in their area.

Many people may wonder what happens with all the broadband inquiries that have been gathered in Ohio. So, here’s the scoop.

Step 1: Connect Ohio staff research the address on BroadbandStat, which tracks broadband coverage and providers across the state, and notifies the consumer on providers that claim to provide service to their address.

Step 2: If a provider is listed, but the consumer has verified that coverage is not available, Connect Ohio’s data validation team travel to the location to verify if a wireless signal is present.

Step 3: If a signal is present, the providers in the area are notified that service should be available to the consumer based on the frequency present. If a signal is not present, BroadbandStat is updated and the provider is informed that its map will need to be updated to reflect the lack of service.

If no service is available, Connect Ohio tracks the information in our database and notifies providers that a gap in service exists. The more broadband inquiries received for a particular area, the more enticing it is for providers to plan an expansion project in your area!

Every Citizen Online program helping Ohio small businesses get online

Connect Ohio’s Every Citizen Online (ECO) program helps Ohioans learn basic computer and Internet skills for free at local organizations. Not only is the ECO program helping citizens of Ohio feel comfortable using a computer, but the program is also helping small business owners get connected, creating additional growth and outreach opportunities.

Stephen Morozowsky completed ECO training at John McIntire Public Library in March. Morozowsky is the owner of Mantis Kung Fu Taiji Academy in Zanesville, where he teaches martial arts to area youth and senior citizens.

“The (ECO) class opened up knowledge of the computer and the Internet for me,” said Morozowsky. “Now, I communicate with my students through e-mail. I also order my business supplies online. I can shop and compare prices, which I hadn’t been able to do before. It’s a great added convenience.”

Pat Homier is also a small business owner who now communicates with customers by e-mail after completing ECO training.

Homier has owned Touches of Drapery in New Bavaria for 43 years. She recently received ECO training at the Putnam County Educational Service Center.

“This (ECO class) was a God-send,” Homier shared. “I only somewhat used the computer and Internet before, but now I’m able to use it better and for many things.”

Homier mentioned a few tasks she is now able to use her new knowledge toward, including business document formatting, connecting with other businesses online, paying bills online, and researching marketing ideas. She says she looks forward to soon marketing her business online in order to reach a new generation of customers.

Anthony Wilcox, in Columbus, is creating a start-up company. He knew creating a new clothing label would be difficult without utilizing the Internet. Wilcox received ECO training at the Godman Guild through the OSU Learning Center.

“(The Internet) is new and exciting for me,” said Wilcox. “I’m contacting business investors online and creating professional presentations on the computer.”

Wilcox said the training was just what he was looking for.

Zanesville, New Bavaria and Columbus

More Connect Ohio PSAs are in the making!

You've likely seen or heard Connect Ohio's current public service announcements (PSAs) letting Ohioans know of the free basic computer and Internet training available to them at their local library, community college, and education centers through the Every Citizen Online program. The second, and final, round of PSAs were produced last week by Brainstorm Media and are currently in post-production. They should begin hitting the air on Ohio Association of Broadcasters and Ohio Educational Television Stations, Inc. member TV and radio stations in July 2011.

This round of production was a lot of fun -mainly because we were able to include many individuals involved in the YouTube PSA contest submissions!

You may recognize Turp from an Honorable Mention awardee video:

Maddie and Lanny were talent in one of the winning videos:

Connect Ohio staff even joined the fun.

Nicole (as ECO participant & mom)

Katie (as ECO Instructor)

Benj (as ECO participant)

Tom (as ECO Participant)

Connect Ohio would like to give a special thank you to the Grandview Heights Public Library for allowing us the use of their Every Citizen Online laptop computers and training room!

Check out all the behind the scene photos from production day on the Connect Ohio Facebook page or by clicking here.

Stay tuned for a sneak peek at our newest Every Citizen Online PSAs!

Computers (Really) Don’t Byte!

Written by Jim Frasier, Warren County Career Center

Participants of the free Computers Don’t Byte class (also known as Every Citizen Online class) offered at the Salem Township Public Library are enjoying their newfound technological knowledge.

Judy Gay from Morrow used to get her computer help from her husband. Since his passing, she found that there was a lot she did not know about the computer. She says the class is “helping her catch up with technology”.

Steve Blackburn from Maineville is 71 and retired. He says when he worked in business, his employees took care of his computer needs. Now, he needs to learn on his own.

Both Steve and Judy credit their basic computer class teacher, Peggy Goodwin, for their technological success. They share that Peggy creates a great learning environment, is patient with everyone, and keeps her cool when a class participant doesn’t quite keep up. They both note that Peggy provides individual help and coaching.

The Computers Don’t Byte class, offered at the Salem Township Public Library in partnership with the Warren County Career Center, meets for three two-hour sessions and has no homework, no tests, no grades, and is FREE!

The course is part of Connect Ohio’s statewide effort, the Every Citizen Online program, to help more people get connected to the Internet and learn how to use a computer in the process. The class is also being offered at the following Warren County locations: Franklin and the Mary L. Cook libraries, Workforce One, and the Warren County Career Center.

The Computers Don’t Byte class starts with the basics, such as how to turn a computer on, how to use a mouse, related terminology (desktop, download, right click, etc.), how to access the Internet, and how to set up and use an e-mail account. Students get a kick out of helping each other during the class. Everyone is in the same boat and most are of retirement age, including the instructors.

Many of the participants have said that a relative bought or gave them a computer, but they hadn’t figured out how to use it. One gentleman shared that his daughter has tried to teach him, but she ‘always goes too fast for him to learn’. Others come to class saying, “I need help. I don’t even know how to turn the darn thing on.”

A common thread motivating people to participate in the free class is the ability to send and receive e-mail with their grandchildren.

According to instructors Peggy Goodwin and Don Coty, many of their students come to class feeling nervous and hesitant, saying they don’t want to ‘break’ anything. By the time they finish, their level of confidence has improved tremendously and they are much more comfortable navigating their computer.

Both Steve and Judy are enjoying the opportunity to learn new things and feel they are catching up with technology, their peers, and their grandchildren. Both say they want to keep learning and continue to improve their computer skills. They’re also making new friends and having a great time.

For more information about the classes, call the Warren County Career Center – 513.932.8145, x4011. Classes are offered weekly at one or more locations.

Contact Information:
Jim Frasier
Warren County Career Center
Jim.Frasier@mywccc.org
513.932.8145, x4011