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E-Guide: Benefits of E-Rate Web Hosting for Your School
E-Rate web hosting is website hosting provided through the E-Rate program, also known as The Schools and Libraries Program of the Universal Service Fund. E-Rate is one of four programs funded by the Universal Service fee paid by businesses who provide interstate and/or international telecommunications services. E-Rate web hosting offers a wide range of benefits for any school, although many are not aware of those benefits.
One of the major benefits of E-Rate web hosting for your school is affordability. Schools receive discounts of 20-90% on web hosting services through the E-Rate program. Because the amount of discount is determined by the urban or rural status and poverty level of the school, even the poorest rural schools have the opportunity to incorporate technology into the educational process.
Technology in the Classroom
In addition to affordability, E-Rate web hosting offers your school the benefits of technology in the classroom. This technology allows for more effective communication between students, teachers and parents. At the same time, technology in the classroom enhances both the learning and teaching environments. The following are some of the features of E-Rate web hosting that can benefit your classroom environment:
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Distance learning - Many E-Rate web hosting providers offer tools to make learning accessible outside of the classroom. Some providers offer web casts of lectures, and students and teachers have the ability to interact with question and answer sessions. Many providers also offer the ability for teachers to post online assignments for their students.
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Online lockers - E-Rate web hosting often includes online lockers for students. Students can begin an assignment or project at school, then store it in their online locker. The files can then be accessed from any other computer with an internet connection, allowing them to complete the work at home or the library.
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Parent accounts - E-Rate web hosting may include the ability to set up parent accounts, which allows parents to access their child's assignment list, homework information, and individual class calendars. This increases the parents' ability to be involved and ensure their child is meeting the requirements for the class.
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Web pages - With E-Rate web hosting, individual schools can set up their own web site. In addition, teachers can set up their own pages that include their photo, biography and contact information, as well as pages for their classes that include assignments and a class calendar. Clubs and organizations within the school can set up group pages displaying requirements for membership and a roster, group events, and a group calendar. These pages allow students, faculty and parents to have access to the most recent information regarding schools, classes, groups and events.
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Virtual classrooms - In addition to the distance learning benefits, E-Rate web hosting offers teachers the ability to set up a virtual classroom. This classroom can contain resource guides, links to resources on the internet, class rules and policies, grading criteria, and information on upcoming tests. Teachers can implement contests or surveys, as well as discussion boards, to encourage student interaction and participation.
Bonus Features
Because of the undesirable elements associated with the internet and email, many parents, teachers and administrators are apprehensive about incorporating technology into the classroom. With E-Rate web hosting, your school has the added benefit of a safe environment due to the use of several protective security measures. Among these measures are the following:
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Filters - E-Rate web hosting allows all email to be filtered to remove spam and junk mail before it ever enters an inbox in the school. In addition, filters can be set up that will automatically remove vulgar or obscene words from all email. This allows even the youngest students to have email access that is free of potentially harmful content.
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Monitoring - With E-Rate web hosting, teachers and administrators can monitor student email accounts, which allows for prevention of threatening or harassing emails. Because of monitoring, intruders and predators are unable to reach students, and students are not able to create a hostile environment for their classmates. Students, and their parents, can be assured of a clean, safe internet experience.
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Password protection - E-Rate web hosting offers the ability to set up virtual classrooms, teacher and class pages, and club or organization pages, which may include student names and photos. These pages are password protected, and passwords are only available to students, administrators and parents. Due to the use of password protection, predators are locked out of the information that would interest them, furthering the safety of students.
E-Rate web hosting offers a great deal of potential benefits for your school, not the least of which is increased affordability through the E-Rate discount program. In addition, many E-Rate web hosting providers will assist your school in every step of the E-Rate filing process in order to help you receive your maximum eligible benefits. E-Rate web hosting is the perfect opportunity to introduce the benefits of technology to your school and your students.