A pilot program being developed in Berkshire County to evaluate a 1:1 approach of using laptop computers and wireless communication to transform teaching and learning.BWLIBWLI

// Berkshire Wireless Learning Initiative

State and Regional Partners

  • State support for BWLI is the responsibility of the John Adams Innovation Institute, a division of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. MTC’s Innovation Institute (1) serves as the fiduciary of the state investment; (2) provides comprehensive program oversight on behalf of the Commonwealth; and, (3) oversees an extensive third party evaluation of the effort. The experience of supporting this pilot effort has resulted in Innovation Institute support during the startup phase of a new pilot that was designed for an urban community in Boston and the consideration of a potential statewide program for 1:1 wireless learning initiatives.

  • Berkshire Connect, Inc., created in 2000 to address the need for high speed, affordable Internet, voice and data access in the Berkshires, provides project management of the Berkshire Wireless Learning Initiative. Some of Berkshire Connect’s responsibilities are to facilitate communications among the many partners involved in the Initiative, support the work of the committees, provide oversight of the technology vendor, and manage the budgeting process.

  • The Berkshire Chamber of Commerce is a key partner in BWLI. Their President/Chief Executive Officer, Michael Supranowicz, provides overall leadership as co-chair of the BWLI Steering Committee. The Chamber works closely with the Fundraising and Marketing Committees and is ensuring that businesses and schools are actively participating in BWLI. The Chamber views this Initiative as a key economic development tool for Berkshire County.

  • As the fiscal agent for BWLI, the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation manages private donations. They are using their expertise in fiscal management to help BWLI set up effective policies and procedures. The Foundation has a solid reputation managing funds for many community programs and is already working with many of the school systems in Berkshire County.