MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!
The 2020 edition of the annual C3 Conference is promising to be the best one yet. Details coming soon!
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 MOBILE MAKER INITIATIVE
The C3 Team has launched a new C3 Mobile Maker Initiative: THINKER TANK. The 2019-2020 school year will be a pilot year with seven schools. This year will give students and teachers an opportunity to cultivate creativity through Mobile Maker projects and activities that will reinforce the disciplines of math, science, engineering, architecture, design, and art. The THINKER TANK will provide vision, support, direction, and assistance to teachers and students to develop new ideas, learn new skills, and enhance their knowledge of working in a collaborative “maker” environment. Over the next few months, the Maker Team will work hard on creating a dynamic and sustainable Mobile Maker Program that will officially launch in August of 2020 at the C3 Conference at Bishop Alemany High School.
Check the Mobile Maker Initiative page for more information on how schools can apply and schedule the THINKER TANK. THE C3 MAKER TEAM: Gigi Castello Josh Ornelas Maker Team, Educator Mentor Maker Team, Technology Specialist gcastello@la-archdiocese.org jrornelas@la-archdiocese.org |
C3 IGNITE GRANT PROGRAM
By June 2020 the C3 IGNITE Grant Program will have 25,000 iPads delivered and in use at over 150 schools in the Archdiocese. Every school in the Archdiocese is encouraged to apply to the C3 IGNITE Grant Program to receive Sprint-connected Apple iPads for school use. Schools are encouraged to allow students to take these iPads home to bridge the technology gap for school families. The C3 IGNITE Grant Program includes device management training from Sprint and professional development training from the EdTech Team so educators can effectively integrate iPads into their classroom environment and experience. Each C3 IGNITE school collaborates with the C3 IGNITE Sprint and EdTech teams to develop and accomplish site-specific goals for the use of the devices.
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ONLINE LEARNING (OLALA)
Online Learning @ the Archdiocese of Los Angeles (OLALA) prioritizes students first. OLALA is committed to providing quality education that is consistent with the principles of the Catholic Church and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), by providing superior student resources at an affordable cost. OLALA includes courses for high school students, taught in partnership with our Catholic High Schools and moderated by their teachers as extensions of their curriculum and Religious Education Department. Schools can access these courses through a course registration process. High school courses include an online health course and an international student orientation course. An interactive theology course series is currently in development as a credit recovery option for students as well as a teaching resource for Theology teachers. OLALA also includes professional development and adult learning opportunities for Archdiocesan staff and the parish community. There are various parish ministry and professional development topics available for minimal to no cost.
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C3 CONFERENCE
Since 2010, the C3 Conference efforts have evolved and adapted to respond to the rapidly accelerating role that technology, devices, and other digital resources have played in education, ministry, and administration. The C3 Conference provides a platform for focused professional development for all parishes and schools in Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Workshop topics include best practices for the utilization of various devices and resources, as well as introductions to new innovative uses in education, ministry, and administration. The C3 Conference has averaged over 800 attendees with over 100 workshops each year. Presentations are by experts from outside the Archdiocese, ADLA parish, school, and administration staff and individuals from our partners - Apple, Sprint, Microsoft, EdTech Funds for Learning.
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C3 CONNECT PROGRAMS
The Connect Programs have expanded the services of C3 in the Archdiocese though the distribution of smartphones and tablets. The initial Connect program was Clergy Connect, through which over 1200 Sprint-connected devices have been issued to clergy of the Archdiocese. Devices issued through these programs are centrally managed and include important Archdiocesan applications, resource and links. Sisters Connect has issued over 300 devices to religious community members. PCL Connect provides Sprint- connected devices to Parish Catechetical Leaders. These Connect Programs provide better communication, connectivity, and access to a variety of resources. These programs also strengthen healthy boundaries in ministry by centering emails, calls, and other communications to an Archdiocesan device.
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E-RATE ASSISTANCE
The Federal E-rate Program offers two categories for schools to receive funding. Under Category One, all schools are eligible to receive a discount on their monthly recurring costs for Internet connectivity services. The discounts range from 20% to 95% based on school economic criteria. In 2019 C3 formed the first ADLA Category One Consortium with over 100 schools. Under Category Two, eligible schools receive discounts toward the installation or upgrades of the school’s wired and wireless infrastructure. C3 formed the first Category Two Consortium in 2015. Over 200 schools in the Archdiocese have benefitted from this effort which has provided more than $15 million in value in federal and C3 supplemental support. Schools receive assistance from the C3 teams, including the resource specialists (“C3RS”), in planning and implementation. C3 has also engaged Funds for Learning (FFL) to assist in filing and document management for the entire E-rate filing process. Every participating school is responsible for providing accurate information during the filing process and needs to review and certify documentation prepared by FFL.
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These are other Initiatives and programs that are a part of C3:
