Cerritos College students were offered a first-hand experience with up to date computer technology on Sept. 13, when EdTech’s (an educational technology program) eBus, positioned itself in Falcon Square while its foreman, James M Callahan accepted applications for internships and community-service computer trainer positions.

Featuring 16 PC workstations with internet access, the eBus provides mobile computer training, free-time and internet access to the community.

Cerritos College director of Distance Education, Yvette Juarez said, “The eBus was a great opportunity for students to take a look onto the bus and get the inside ups on technology. They are offering $1,000 internships next semester and that is getting more students involved with computer technology on campus and in the community.”

According to both Jaurez and Callahan, the paperwork for the internships have been completed and is at rest, waiting for Governor Gray Davis’ signature.

“Right now, Sacramento has funded the program but has not released the money, so it’s on hold. I can’t really get that for anybody until Sacramento says that the money has been released,” said Callahan, who graduated from Cerritos College last May, earning an Associates of Arts degree in computer science.

He said the money was supposed to be available for last semester but was withheld because of the recent education budget cut.

Partnered with Cerritos College, the eBus presents four different types of programs: For classes requiring community-service, students can complete the task via the eBus; there is a work experience arrangement; a paid internship that requires five hours a week for one semester; and an education experience, where if you want to be a teacher, the bus will serve as your classroom.

Students may apply for the internship through the Innovation Center. See San Barry.

Presently, eight Cerritos College students are interning with the eBus.

Formally, the eBus is a mobile technology lab and a non-profit organization unfolded from the Community College Foundation based in Sacramento.

The traveling computer hack treks the greater Los Angeles area; from Ventura to Orange County on to the dessert, bringing technology to the community to bridge the tremendous “digital divide”.

Callahan said as they go into the various communities, some are more economically less advantaged then others. They have less access to the hardware and to the internet.

So, at no cost, the eBus totes the technological load to sights where children, teens and adults alike can learn and enjoy what home/office computing has advanced to.

“We have a generator on board to provide our own power and we get our satellite feed which provides us with internet access. So we can go right to the community, right there to the streets where the people are at and bring the technology to them,” Callahan said electrifyingly.

The eBus’ purposive operation is to bridge the digital divide for the students of tomorrow who our not using computers today, and are falling behind as children.

Sites where the eBus has held classes include Pitches Detention Center, Casa Espiranze (in the projects of Panorama City) and all the LA County libraries.