Episode 25: Tech Exchange

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Staff moving computers, devices, child with computer remote learning, child doing eSTEAM, and TechHub

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“There is now a broad public understanding of the importance of having equitable technology access”

In this episode, our featured voice is Seth Hubbert the Executive Director of Tech Exchange and we are discussing how the digital divide is impacting low income students and their families in Oakland the greater San Francisco Bay Area.

In a 2018 US Census Bureau American Community Survey and San Francisco Digital Divide Survey between 32 to 41% of households in the San Francisco Bay Area do not have broadband. With the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic upon us ongoing Sheltering in Place and schools closing back down again the need for a device and broadband are a necessity to educate our children as well as to keep them and their families safe, and healthy.

Seth Hubbert

Seth Hubbert is the Executive Director of Tech Exchange, a Bay Area nonprofit that provides equitable technology access to under-served communities through refurbishing donated computers and providing digital skills training. Before joining Tech Exchange, Seth served as an educator for 10 years. Beginning in the classroom as a Teach for America Physics and Chemistry teacher in New York City, Seth developed a passion for how technology can support and enhance student learning. Through subsequent Director of Technology roles, he has led the vision and implementation of blended learning, integrated coding, 1-to-1 student device access, and design technology programs. He’s served on the Technology, Innovation and Design committee for the European Council of International Schools and has instructed university courses on STEM curriculum for new teachers. Seth has a B.S. in Physics from Whitworth University and a M.S. in Education from Pace University.

Tech Exchange

Tech Exchange envisions a digitally connected Bay Area where everyone has the technology resources they need to thrive.

For the past 25 years, Tech Exchange has been committed to supporting digital equity throughout the Bay Area by equipping digitally-disconnected community members with affordable Internet connection, digital literacy skills, refurbished computers, and free tech support. Tech Exchange empowers individuals with the fundamental ability to access online education, employment, health care, financial services, and public resources.

Since the COVID-19 shelter in place announcement, Tech Exchange staff and volunteers have mobilized to establish texting and phone banks, responding to calls to inform families of Internet options, and preparing hotspots and laptops to be distributed for students.

Donation / Volunteer

Tech Exchange is working to raise funds to both re-deploy computers and provide broadband access along with digital skills training. Here are Ways to Plug In to supporting Tech Exchange:

DONATE: donate.techexchange.org
DONATE DEVICES: www.techexchange.org/drop-off-donation
VOLUNTEER: www.techexchange.org/volunteer

Videos

To find out more about Tech Exchange please check out their videos:

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“This work comes back in so many forms of the challenges that we have at the organization have faced over the last several months have been many. But then when we know the impact that we’re making and hear those stories back from the community members, we’re serving, that’s what gives you the surge of energy to wake up another day and work hard to serve the next family. ”

— Seth Hubbert, Executive Director, Tech Exchange

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