Dell Students Earn Computers and Tips

Tennessee Quarterback Helps Middle Schoolers "Titan" Their Technology Skills

Students in Metro Nashville Public School's (MNPS) Dell TechKnow program today showcased their newly developed computer skills to a special guest teacher - Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Vince Young.

During a field trip to Dell's Tennessee customer support center, Young engaged approximately 85 MNPS Dell TechKnow students in a discussion comparing life skills learned on the playing field to those gathered through Dell TechKnow. Dell TechKnow's 40-hour, after-school program provides selected middle school students an opportunity to earn a refurbished home computer and learn technology skills that promote collaboration and problem-solving.

"We've seen the skills learned in Dell TechKnow universally improve students' grades, behavior and self-esteem, all factors that aid our goal of reducing drop-out rates," said Dr. Pedro Garcia, director of Metro Nashville Public Schools. "Having a positive role model like Vince Young reiterate the importance of teamwork and goal-setting helps kids realize just how much this program has prepared them for the future."

The Dell TechKnow curriculum involves self-paced, after-school courses in which students learn how to take apart and rebuild a computer, install and use software and access the Internet. Upon completion of the program, students take home a refurbished Dell desktop computer loaded with Microsoft® software and receive one year of Internet access at no charge from America Online.

Metro Nashville Public Schools was one of the first districts in the nation to join Dell TechKnow and its program counts 783 graduates to date. More than 14,500 students in 56 school districts in the U.S. and Canada have successfully completed the TechKnow curriculum.

Dell expects nearly 10,000 students to participate in the program this year, making it the largest class in the program's history.

Young's involvement was another 2006 TechKnow milestone. A frequent volunteer at Austin-area elementary schools during his stint as an All-American quarterback for the University of Texas, Young decided to become involved with Dell TechKnow after his move to Nashville with the Titans.

"I see the confidence that TechKnow students gain when they work through problems and realize they have skills they'd never even dreamed of," said Young. "I'm proud to help a program that has such a broad impact on local children's lives."

TechKnow's other athletic affiliations include programs at the Tiger Woods Learning Center in Anaheim, Calif., and at University of Kentucky basketball coach Tubby Smith's Tubby's Clubhouses in Lexington, Ky.

"By incorporating speakers from the world of sports and business into Dell TechKnow curriculum, we show students that technology knowledge is essential to any profession they might choose," said Karen Bruett, Dell's vice president of K-12. "Problem-solving, collaboration and other 21st century skills gained during the program will help them compete in the digital economy."

By Dell