HISTORY OF THE CATHOLIC COMMUNICATION COLLABORATION (C3)
In 2009, the Archdiocese launched the "Catholic Communication Collaboration" (C3) initiative to expand the use of, and access to technology resources for educational purposes throughout the Archdiocese. The C3 effort is funded with the significant resources provided by Sprint, now a part of T-Mobile and its affiliates, under leases of the Archdiocese's Educational Broadband Service (EBS) spectrum, which is licensed to the Archdiocese by the Federal Communications Commission. Under the FCC protocols, much of the spectrum is leased to accommodate Sprint, now a part of T-Mobile broadband deployment, while access to the un-leased spectrum is retained by the Archdiocese. The value of the retained interest allows the Archdiocese to obtain both services from Sprint, now a part of T-Mobile or third parties and allows direct access to the Sprint, now a part of T-Mobile broadband network for connectivity for devices and services. C3 has become an umbrella for education and ministry technology efforts throughout the Archdiocese and has been a critical factor as schools and parishes address future-ready objectives and foster technology-based innovation in all areas of formal and informal education, administration, and ministry.
The C3 Initiative plan is to provide robust wireless broadband communications connectivity and devices using Sprint, now a part of T-Mobile products and services; to ensure effective use of the Archdiocese's EBS spectrum licenses; to utilize E-rate and other parallel funding opportunities; to innovate in all areas of education, ministry and administration; and to improve services to our stakeholders throughout the community. In the aggregate, since 2010, in addition to the Sprint, now a part of T-Mobile lease payments which are directed to all education and technology aspects of the Archdiocesan Catholic Center budget and related efforts, direct funding, and direct and indirect services equal to more than $55 million, which has been provided by Sprint, now a part of T-Mobile, the federal E-rate program, and other grants to these initiatives for parishes and schools, as well to fund the annual C3 Conference and the other activities described below.
During the last year, the Archdiocese and Sprint have been engaged in successful efforts to develop long-term access to Sprint, now a part of T-Mobile products and services, as well as third party resources and services. These critical resources have already underwritten the C3 IGNITE and related programs and will allow for more innovation and creative technology and education deployments in the future. C3 also added focused staff to oversee some of these resources to enhance the various projects and programs.
In 2010, a Working Group was assembled to oversee the C3 pilot project and it has since become the de facto technology advisory committee for the C3 efforts in the Archdiocese. The 2017-18 members of the Working Group are listed below.
The Archdiocese consists of over 600 separate locations, each with its own characteristics and culture, so the Working Group focuses on opportunities and programs that can be adapted to local needs. The mission of C3 is to move stakeholders to a new level of understanding and to help manage expectations by establishing and communicating the following goals:
The C3 Initiative plan is to provide robust wireless broadband communications connectivity and devices using Sprint, now a part of T-Mobile products and services; to ensure effective use of the Archdiocese's EBS spectrum licenses; to utilize E-rate and other parallel funding opportunities; to innovate in all areas of education, ministry and administration; and to improve services to our stakeholders throughout the community. In the aggregate, since 2010, in addition to the Sprint, now a part of T-Mobile lease payments which are directed to all education and technology aspects of the Archdiocesan Catholic Center budget and related efforts, direct funding, and direct and indirect services equal to more than $55 million, which has been provided by Sprint, now a part of T-Mobile, the federal E-rate program, and other grants to these initiatives for parishes and schools, as well to fund the annual C3 Conference and the other activities described below.
During the last year, the Archdiocese and Sprint have been engaged in successful efforts to develop long-term access to Sprint, now a part of T-Mobile products and services, as well as third party resources and services. These critical resources have already underwritten the C3 IGNITE and related programs and will allow for more innovation and creative technology and education deployments in the future. C3 also added focused staff to oversee some of these resources to enhance the various projects and programs.
In 2010, a Working Group was assembled to oversee the C3 pilot project and it has since become the de facto technology advisory committee for the C3 efforts in the Archdiocese. The 2017-18 members of the Working Group are listed below.
The Archdiocese consists of over 600 separate locations, each with its own characteristics and culture, so the Working Group focuses on opportunities and programs that can be adapted to local needs. The mission of C3 is to move stakeholders to a new level of understanding and to help manage expectations by establishing and communicating the following goals:
- Promote formal and informal future-ready resources throughout schools, parishes, and for the parish community.
- Anticipate future technology advancements in infrastructure, social media, devices, and online and distance learning.
- Use available funding and services under the Sprint, now a part of T-Mobile relationship effectively.
- Develop learning and collaborative groups through Yammer and similar strategies.
- Evaluate and implement hardware and software solutions.
- Establish and promote online courses, resources and professional development.
- Develop sustainable and replicable financial models.
- Encourage robust use of Universal Service support (Federal E-rate funding) for school connectivity.
- Leverage existing Archdiocesan leadership role in the Catholic Technology Network (CTN).
- Represent the Archdiocese and other EBS licensees at the FCC and with other government groups.
PRINCIPAL C3 EFFORTS
Pilot (2010 to 2014) - at 25 selected schools, parishes and administrative offices, six concurrent sub-projects were executed. This was the first effort to test the C3 plans, deploy devices and provide training support, and to offer the Tech Conference.
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.
RESOURCE SPECIALIST - a team of five individuals who assist parishes and schools to improve their use-of and access to technology. To date they have logged more than 2000 consultations at locations-varying from a single visit to long term assistance in planning for and implementing a complete technology revamp at the location.
E-RATE INFRASTRUCTURE and INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER CONSORTIA - C3 formed an E-rate discount infrastructure construction consortium in 2015 under the direction of the Working Group. Jointly funded by the US government, Sprint, schools and philanthropic grants-will have served more than 204 schools when the current construction round has completed. C3 formed an E-rate discount Internet service provider consortium in 2019. Currently 80 schools are receiving a highly discounted monthly service discount for high speed access.
IGNITE GRANT PROGRAM - The program has generated four Cohorts consisting of 132 schools with almost 24,000 Sprint-connected devices deployed. The program is significantly expanding the visions and realities of technology based efforts for Catholic Schools by providing Sprint devices with cellular data services, Sprint device deployment services and EdTechTeam professional training to launch initiatives centered on utilizing technology to accelerate learning and expand internet accessibility for students and families at school, home and anywhere in between.
ADLA ADMINISTRATIVE HANDBOOK - available online to all in the Archdiocese and beyond; regularly updated; data shows it is now understood as a core Archdiocesan resource and is also used daily by dioceses and other institutions around the world.
OLALA: Online Learning @ the Archdiocese of Los Angeles - high school health course will be used again in 2018 and will reach over 800 high school students; Mandated Reporting online course has launched; international student online orientation course is being piloted; a comprehensive Baptism sacramental preparation course has been launched in both English and Spanish; Yammer Groups are active and new courses for religious education, parish and school applications are in process.
CLERGY CONNECT - the collaborative wireless "network" providing smartphones, tablets and applications for active and retired clergy in the Archdiocese.
SISTERS CONNECT - the collaborative wireless effort in which the Archdiocese is providing smartphones and tablets to women religious and groups in the Archdiocese.
PCL CONNECT - the collaborative wireless effort, currently in providing smartphones and tablets to parish catechetical staff. The next round of devices will be delivered over several months beginning in Fall of 2019.
THE MAKER INITIATIVE - C3 has launched the new C3 Maker Initiative: Thinker Tank. The pilot year concluded in 2019-2020 and for 2020-2021 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 Thinker Tank 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.
................... MORE PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES TO COME IN THE FUTURE WITH YOUR HELP AND PARTICIPATION ...................
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.
RESOURCE SPECIALIST - a team of five individuals who assist parishes and schools to improve their use-of and access to technology. To date they have logged more than 2000 consultations at locations-varying from a single visit to long term assistance in planning for and implementing a complete technology revamp at the location.
E-RATE INFRASTRUCTURE and INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER CONSORTIA - C3 formed an E-rate discount infrastructure construction consortium in 2015 under the direction of the Working Group. Jointly funded by the US government, Sprint, schools and philanthropic grants-will have served more than 204 schools when the current construction round has completed. C3 formed an E-rate discount Internet service provider consortium in 2019. Currently 80 schools are receiving a highly discounted monthly service discount for high speed access.
IGNITE GRANT PROGRAM - The program has generated four Cohorts consisting of 132 schools with almost 24,000 Sprint-connected devices deployed. The program is significantly expanding the visions and realities of technology based efforts for Catholic Schools by providing Sprint devices with cellular data services, Sprint device deployment services and EdTechTeam professional training to launch initiatives centered on utilizing technology to accelerate learning and expand internet accessibility for students and families at school, home and anywhere in between.
ADLA ADMINISTRATIVE HANDBOOK - available online to all in the Archdiocese and beyond; regularly updated; data shows it is now understood as a core Archdiocesan resource and is also used daily by dioceses and other institutions around the world.
OLALA: Online Learning @ the Archdiocese of Los Angeles - high school health course will be used again in 2018 and will reach over 800 high school students; Mandated Reporting online course has launched; international student online orientation course is being piloted; a comprehensive Baptism sacramental preparation course has been launched in both English and Spanish; Yammer Groups are active and new courses for religious education, parish and school applications are in process.
CLERGY CONNECT - the collaborative wireless "network" providing smartphones, tablets and applications for active and retired clergy in the Archdiocese.
SISTERS CONNECT - the collaborative wireless effort in which the Archdiocese is providing smartphones and tablets to women religious and groups in the Archdiocese.
PCL CONNECT - the collaborative wireless effort, currently in providing smartphones and tablets to parish catechetical staff. The next round of devices will be delivered over several months beginning in Fall of 2019.
THE MAKER INITIATIVE - C3 has launched the new C3 Maker Initiative: Thinker Tank. The pilot year concluded in 2019-2020 and for 2020-2021 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 Thinker Tank 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.
................... MORE PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES TO COME IN THE FUTURE WITH YOUR HELP AND PARTICIPATION ...................
