The nationwide splatter of job losses

We came across an interesting animation this week - a tool that demostrates/illustrates the collective job gains and losses that different communities in this country have experienced since January 2004. The animation is simple but the impact is profound. Just visually, this shows you that no area of the country stands immune from the economic downturn. While some economists and politicians may groan about certain corners of the United States that seem to be losing more jobs than in other areas, this animation truly debunks any notion of that. Unfortunately, the final "slide" is eerily reminiscent of a crime scene. Yikes. All the more reason to start your own business?

The (Free) Classroom of Life

These days, a lot of community colleges and universities offer Web-based education for individuals pursing degrees or certifications. But folks that pursue online education aren’t always looking for a degree. Some of us just want to increase our knowledge for professional, civic, or personal development. To address this need, an increasing number of institutions are providing open access to lectures and courses through their Web sites or via iTunes U. These non-credit offerings allow self-learners to audit classes and listen to renowned lecturers free of charge – without commuting to a campus or dealing with tests and admissions hurdles. Access to an Internet-connected computer and a love of learning is all that is required.

So, let’s say you’re interested in micro-financing and poverty elimination. One of the world’s leading experts on these subjects is Nobel Peace Prize-winning economist Dr. Muhammad Yunus. You can hear Yunus’ perspective on these topics in a 44-minute segment featured with UNC Chapel Hill's Kenan Flagler School. If you’d rather focus on mathematics, listen to MIT Professor Denis Auroux conduct a lecture series called "Multivariable Calculus." More interested in literature? Consider Yale University Professor Amy Hungerford’s “The American Novel Since 1945." Or, perhaps you’d like to hear D.C.’s Public School Chancellor Michelle Rhee talk about education reform. Duke’s Terry Sanford Institute of Public Policy has a video of Rhee’s November 2008 speech titled, "Public Education Reform: The Case Study of Washington, D.C." And that’s just a sampling of the thousands of archived courses and lectures that abound on the Web.

But what if you don’t have the time or patience to hunt for institutions that offer free, open access to their course catalogs and lecture series? The OpenCourse Ware Consortium is a global network of more than 200 universities, providing what the group describes as “free and open digital publication of high-quality education materials, organized as courses.” So, from your desk or armchair, you can tap into the University of Tokyo or the University of Nottingham, to name a few. Then there's Academic Earth, a new site compiling listings of free online course and lecture offerings. Founder Richard Ludlow is hoping his clearinghouse site will eventually offer free electronic textbooks and opportunities for learners to interact with one another. In the meantime, if you’re searching for a particular book or article being discussed in a class you’re auditing, start with a visit to your local library, and be sure to check out NC LIVE and the Library of Congress as well. Along the way – whether for education or leisure, always remember these budget-conscious sites that allow you to trade, borrow, or buy books: bookmooch.com, paperbackswap.com, bookswim.com and betterworld.com. Happy learning!

In Search of Excellence: Research that Underpins SOUND Public Policy

Look up the word “research” and you will find an expansive set of definitions that ultimately converge on the idea answering questions, discovering truths and gather information. We’ve said it before but we’ll say it again – the e-NC Authority is legislatively charged by the N.C. General Assembly to research access to telecommunications infrastructure and use that data to inform state efforts to encourage broadband Internet use and expansion. We take this charge very seriously – applying considerable resources and talent to the collection, analysis, synthesis, interpretation, utilization and dissemination of the e-NC Authority’s proprietary research on behalf of the citizens and businesses of North Carolina.

The e-NC Authority employs research that includes the following:
- qualitative focus groups
- quantitative/high-precision surveys
- empirical assessments of geographic or population connectivity issues
- meta analysis of mathematical modeling and technology adoption
- exploratory network feasibility studies
- prescriptive, futures-oriented technology forecasts
- retrospective evaluations of funded programs
- data-driven economic impact assessments

While the methods may vary, the e-NC Authority’s commitment to high-quality, high-relevance research has never wavered. Studies conducted involve in-house research professionals and expert consultants to generate data and results that are credible, accurate and independently verifiable. Multiple approaches are utilized to provide more accurate answers in instances where data availability is incomplete. Third-party research professionals at universities and private research organizations join our studies and provide arms-length evaluations of the e-NC Authority’s programs.

Best of all – its public. All research produced or sponsored by the e-NC Authority is available at http://www.e-nc.org/research.asp. This is in keeping with the legislative and legal mandates that govern us as a state authority but also with the research methodologies and best practices that drive the private sector. Following research best practices is not simply a gesture towards credibility – it is fundamental in our mandate to provide responsible guidance for public policies and investments in an arena that is critical to economic competitiveness.

Finally, the e-NC Authority champions data- and fact-driven research as a requirement for the accountability that any publicly-funded agency must provide. Therefore, we applaud the fact that accountability is an important factor to federal government agencies that will be managing grants, programs and initiatives of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. With the help of the e-NC Authority’s research, North Carolina’s public, private and nonprofit agencies will be better prepared to responsibly manage any broadband stimulus dollars made available.

Broadband on Jones Street?

Well, things are moving quickly on Jones Street. For those of you trying to follow broadband issues in the legislature, here are a few references for you.

As you may already know, there was a House select committee called High-Speed Internet in Rural Areas. This committee submitted its final report to the N.C. General Assembly in January. That same month, the e-NC Authority also submitted its Internet Action Plan to the state’s legislators. Take some time to read it – we think you’ll find it to be overwhelmingly progressive.

Once the House select committee wrapped, we were pleasantly surprised to find that a House standing committee was created to look at broadband. The name of this group is the House Ways & Means / Broadband Connectivity committee.

Funding for the e-NC Authority
As far as the e-NC Authority, our priority is to obtain operating funds for the upcoming year so that we are still here to advocate for access on behalf of the citizens. As of June 30, 2009, the e-NC Authority will have depleted almost all of its original private monies. The e-NC Authority cannot continue to operate as it currently does without additional state funding support for the upcoming year. In her version of the budget, Gov. Beverly Perdue has recommended $495,000 recurring for the e-NC Authority’s operations. However, our operating budget is approximately $1 million – this means that the governor’s proposal alone would only cover half of our ability to operate. Of course, we are also requesting funds for connectivity incentive grants, public access/digital literacy training and two new telecenters. Some of these funds could also serve as match for federal stimulus dollars.

Take some time to look over our entire funding request to the N.C. General Assembly. There are bills both in the House (H532) and the Senate (S697) that appropriate funds to the e-NC Authority, in the amounts we have requested. The Senate will put the budget together first this year, likely coming out this week. Then the House will compile their version before both bodies meet in conference committees to negotiate and resolve the differences.

Other Broadband Bills
On our Web site, we have a page that will allow you to track federal and state legislation that affects connectivity. Note in particular, N.C. Senate bill S1004. This legislation is a resurgence of a bill from a few years ago that sought to put restrictions on the ability of local governments to offer telecommunications services. Here is one take on the bill, from a blog that ran last week. The e-NC Authority’s position on this issue is that local governments should have the right to offer broadband services when the service available does not meet the needs of the local community.

In closing, keep in mind that while there are certainly a lot of lobbyists floating around the legislature, it is the constituents around the state that ultimately impact the legislators. So, share your opinions with your delegates. Remind them of who they really work for.