INTRODUCTION TO C3
The Catholic Communication Collaboration (C3) dates back to the early 1960s when the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) authorized operation of one-way, analog line-of-sight technology. This was known as Instructional Television Fixed Service (ITFS) and shortly thereafter, the Archdiocese was granted licenses for the Los Angeles and Santa Barbara areas. In 2003, the FCC approved the use of the spectrum by wireless internet service providers. In 2006, the ADLA entered into an agreement with Clearwire, a cellular provider to lease our Educational Broadcasting Service (EBS) spectrum. The sub-license arrangement included economic and service components to allow the Archdiocese to support creative wireless initiatives for parish and school educational efforts.
The Archdiocese organized a pilot program under the Catholic Communication Collaboration, commonly referred to as C3. The pilot program was overseen by an Archdiocesan working group to serve as a test platform to assess and enhance technology, professional development and content and applications at 25 selected parish, school and administrative sites. The objective was to provide full broadband communications connectivity with CLEAR, or a comparable service, to all locations, to ensure the effective use of the Archdiocese's spectrum licenses and to use the Clearwire resources and other grants and funding to innovate in all areas of education, ministry and administration. CLEAR merged with Sprint in 2013. A critical aspect of all C3 efforts and Archdiocesan decisions include responsible fiscal stewardship, initial and long-term cost efficiencies and sustainability. C3 projects and programs continue to be reviewed, adjusted or adapted through discussion by the Archdiocesan working group as it was in the pilot program in 2010.
The Archdiocese organized a pilot program under the Catholic Communication Collaboration, commonly referred to as C3. The pilot program was overseen by an Archdiocesan working group to serve as a test platform to assess and enhance technology, professional development and content and applications at 25 selected parish, school and administrative sites. The objective was to provide full broadband communications connectivity with CLEAR, or a comparable service, to all locations, to ensure the effective use of the Archdiocese's spectrum licenses and to use the Clearwire resources and other grants and funding to innovate in all areas of education, ministry and administration. CLEAR merged with Sprint in 2013. A critical aspect of all C3 efforts and Archdiocesan decisions include responsible fiscal stewardship, initial and long-term cost efficiencies and sustainability. C3 projects and programs continue to be reviewed, adjusted or adapted through discussion by the Archdiocesan working group as it was in the pilot program in 2010.
IMAGES OF #C3CON19
C3 PROJECTS, PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES
THE C3 MAKER INITIATIVE
C3 has launched the new C3 Maker Initiative: The Mobile Maker Experience (MME) that is currently in development. The pilot year is scheduled for 2019-2020 and will give students and teachers in the Archdiocese, an opportunity to cultivate their creativity through maker projects and activities, while reinforcing the disciplines of math, science, engineering, architecture, design and art. The MME will provide support and assistance to teachers and students as they develop their ideas, learn new skills and enhance working in a collaborative maker environment. Check the Maker Initiative page for more information on how schools can apply and schedule the Idea Maker Vehicle.
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C3 IGNITE GRANT PROGRAM
The IGNITE Grant Program has deployed over 24,000 Sprint connected iPad devices to more than 132 schools in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles since 2016. These devices are not only used as a classroom tool by students for their projects, research and homework, but can also be used in homes without internet access, as a mobile hotspot and/or a direct connected Sprint network device. Schools in the program are provided professional development from the EdTechTeam and technical support from a dedicated Sprint Support Team as well as the C3 Technical Support Team, to help schools learn how to manage the devices. Schools in the Archdiocese can apply for an IGNITE device grant and become part of the next IGNITE program cohort. One of the requirements for schools to be considered for the Program is that they have adequate school internet infrastructure that can support the usage of the devices long term.
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ONLINE LEARNING (OLALA)
At OLALA (Online Learning @ the Archdiocese of Los Angeles), students are the first priority. We're committed to providing quality education consistent with the principles of the Catholic Church and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, superior student resources, and affordable tuition.
OLALA includes courses for high school and middle school students, taught in partnership with our Catholic High Schools and moderated by their teachers as extensions of their curriculum, or through the Catholic Education Foundation or Religious Education Department at the Archdiocese or Los Angeles. Access to these courses is generally through the schools' course registration process. |
C3 CONFERENCE
The role C3 evolved from the pilot, includes advising and responding to rapid adoption initiatives and find new strategies that can be sustained for the long term. The C3 Technology Conference was initiated, due to the rapid acceleration of new technology devices and resources for all aspects of formal and informal education, ministry and administration. The components of the C3 Pilot were concurrently adapted and evaluated in various locations. A critical aspect of all C3 Pilot efforts and Archdiocesan decisions still include responsible fiscal stewardship, initial and long term cost efficiencies and sustainability. Since 2012, the C3 Conference has had over 5,000 teachers, admins and parish staff participant in over 800 workshops.
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C3 CONNECT PROGRAMS
C3 has distributed thousands of devices to schools within the Archdiocese since 2016. The Connect programs have expanded the reach of C3 to parishes within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles as well. The first of the Connect programs was Clergy Connect where clergy were provided Sprint connected devices. The second was Sisters Connect which also provided sisters Sprint connected devices. The third is PCL Connect which provide Sprint connected devices to Parish Catechetical Leaders.
Have better communication and access to a variety of resources, as well as to the families they serve, especially those catechetical leaders who do not have an office, internet access or other important technology. Connect to apps and other services and resources that will assist in their ministry and strengthen healthy boundaries in ministry by centering emails, calls, and other communications on an Archdiocesan device. |
E-RATE ASSISTANCE
The Federal E-Rate program provides discounts of up to 90 percent to help eligible schools in the United States obtain affordable telecommunications and internet access that is so essential for our schools today. E-Rate program participants can request funding in five categories of service: Telecommunications, Telecommunications Services, Internet Access, Internal Connections, and Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections. Discounts for support depend on the level of poverty and the urban/rural status of the population served, and range from 20 to 90 percent of the costs of eligible services. To be eligible to receive discounts, a school must meet certain Federal hot lunch criteria. In general, elementary and secondary schools of the Archdiocese are eligible to receive discounts — including both parish and private schools.
On behalf of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, C3 contracts a company called Funds for Learning (FFL), which provides E-Rate application services to assist them with their E-Rate applications. C3 funds this contract so it is free to all schools. The entire process is managed by FFL on behalf of the schools during the E-Rate application timeline, which sometimes extends over eight months. Schools that complete the Category One application process and are approved, receive a discount applied monthly to their Internet service provider bill. C3 created the first Category One Consortium for schools in the Archdiocese in 2019 and plans to create a second Consortium for 2020. Schools that complete the Category Two application process and are approved, receive a discount on the installation and upgrade of their wireless network infrastructure. C3 has created several Consortia for Category Two dating back to 2015 with 204 schools benefiting from utilizing the discount to upgrade their wireless infrastructure. |
These are other Initiatives and programs that are a part of C3:
