The move to remote and online learning after the shuttering of schools across the NWT poses challenges to students in homes and communities that lack access to computers.
IT support company Global Storm is aiming to fill that need with its new donor program to provide notebook computers in homes across the NWT.
"In the Tlicho and Dehcho regions alone there is an urgent need for 200 notebooks," said Global Storm CEO Kirby Marshall in an interview on Tuesday.
Marshall learned about the specifics of the need based on research in those regions where the Yellowknife-based company provides IT and communications services.
The goal is expected to exceed 500 notebooks or laptops over several weeks and it is hoped the devices can be sourced from organizations with surpluses. Windows-based, new or used notebook computers that are no more than three years old are preferred. Desktops are not preferable because of their size and logistical complexity.
Partners towards the goal
Before the devices are passed onto Global Storm they'll undergo a five-step process at NNSL.
The notebooks will be sanitized according to NWT health guidelines, their basic details will be logged, asset tags will be added if need be, they wonSA国际影视传媒檛 be powered up or turned on at NNSL, and NNSL will remove any Microsoft license information tags before transporting them to Global Storm for final delivery.
Once the company receives the notebooks, Global Storm will wipe the hard drives according to NIST 800-88 Clear guidelines and Windows OS will be reinstalled using software licensed by the relevant education authorities. Donor licensing will not be used. Global Storm will install, setup and configure all the needed software for each end user.
The company will ship the systems to regional centres, or community schools as directed, which will include a letter informing education authorities about who donated the notebooks. Finally, the company will work with each regional authority to assist with giving out the notebooks to students and families.
Northern Remote Learning Plan
The procurement of notebooks is part of Global StormSA国际影视传媒檚 larger Northern Remote Learning Plan that seeks to connect all hardware and software necessary to remotely provide the full array of education services to in-home students across the North, according to a company document on the plan.
In partnership with other NWT IT companies and a satellite provider, Global Storm has developed a compact, portable system that can be transported easily to any NWT or Nunavut community by air. It would take about seven days to move from crew mobilization to functional broadband internet availability.
While necessary devices such as switches, routers and firewalls are readily available, Global Storm said "last mile" capability is a common problem for many communities but easy to quickly resolve.
SA国际影视传媒This challenging time has presented an opportunity to assist the most vulnerable children in our Northern communities,SA国际影视传媒 said Marshall. SA国际影视传媒淭hey are our future."
Computing access a longstanding issue
The Northern Remote Learning Plan is the latest effort to accelerate computing access for remote communities, but it's not the only one. For at least 15 years the Smart Communities Society in Yellowknife has been receiving used computers from the federal and territorial governments, the , private donors and other sources to refurbish them and distribute them to school boards.
"WeSA国际影视传媒檝e (recently) broadened our mandate and have been able to give them to community organizations and Indigenous communities," said executive director Chris Hunt, who added that since 2008 the society has given out more than 10,000 computers.
The most it ever managed to distribute in one year was about 1,000, Hunt said.
Laptops are the most sought-after items, but the society also receives desktops from the government donors.
Just before the coronavirus pandemic hit, the federal government donated a large batch of computers and the society gave 200 laptops to communities in late February.
In Hunt's view, the need for computers in remote communities is very high, and he estimates 2,000 to 4,000 are needed in the NWT.
"We're still researching it, but we find some communities are 15 years behind in terms of access.
"I think itSA国际影视传媒檚 a good moment for people to pause and realize how tough it is. These are our communities, 29 primarily Indigenous communities. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 not fair. If they didn't have access to books that wouldn't be acceptable. But itSA国际影视传媒檚 the same with technology. To the same level if not more. The term SA国际影视传媒榙igital literacySA国际影视传媒 is pretty appropriate. We need to put the SA国际影视传媒榙igitalSA国际影视传媒 in SA国际影视传媒榙igital literacySA国际影视传媒 first."
The pandemic has highlighted the importance of reliable internet access for Northerners, and last month spurred Dene artist Melaw Nakehk'o to launch a petition urging Northwestel to waive data overage fees and establish unlimited data plans until July.
RELATED REPORTING: Internet access a necessity, says petition aimed at Northwestel