Participants from around the World Join the National Educational Computing Conference via GCI SchoolAccess® Network

SAN DIEGO Thanks to GCI SchoolAccess, teachers, technology coordinators, library media specialists, teacher educators, administrators, policy makers, and industry representatives from all over the world will be able to participate in the annual National Educational Computing Conference (NECC) in San Diego from July 5-7. For the second year running, GCI SchoolAccess is donating videoconference bridging and Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) gateway services to allow participants to take part in conference sessions and workshops from remote locations.

GCI SchoolAccess will connect approximately 30 different sites to the conference. This is part of a greater effort by NECC to make this conference content more accessible and useful to its supporters. In addition to services provided by GCI SchoolAccess, NECC is also offering its conference content via webcasts and podcasts. "GCI SchoolAccess is committed to expanding participation at NECC by providing high-quality, real-time videoconference and ISDN connections to the conference," said Greg Dutton, Director of GCI SchoolAccess. "This is our way of supporting NECC's important mission of improving K-12 teaching and learning through the effective use of technology."

During the past 27 years, NECC has become the preeminent education technology forum in the world. As a distance learning provider for K-12 schools in primarily remote regions of the country, GCI SchoolAccess has consistently participated in NECC. This year's conference theme is "Explore, Dream, Discover ... the curriculum, best practices, and essential conditions for using technology to improve learning for students." This year's conference is expected to draw more than 16,000 attendees.

About GCI SchoolAccess
GCI is the largest Alaska-based and -operated integrated telecommunication provider. A pioneer in bundled services, GCI provides local, wireless, and long distance telephone, cable television, Internet and data communication services. More information about the company can be found at www.gci.com. SchoolAccess is a suite of services designed to advance the educational opportunities of K-12 students. Designed by both experienced technologists and veteran educators, SchoolAccess provides services and features geared specifically with teachers, administrators and students in mind. More information on GCI SchoolAccess products and services can be found at www.schoolaccess.net.

About the National Education Computing Conference
For more than two decades, NECC has been the premier forum in which to learn, exchange, and survey the field of educational technology. This annual conference - presented by ISTE and keyed to the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) - features hands-on workshops, lecture-format and interactive concurrent sessions, discussions with key industry leaders, and the largest educational technology exhibit in the world. For more information, please visit http://web.uoregon.edu/ISTE/NECC2006/.