The Public Media Education Platform™ (PMEP™) delivers timely, informative, rich digital content to Wi-Fi enabled devices without the internet.
WITHOUT THE INTERNET? YES.
The PMEP™ transmits data files (videos, documents, html files, etc.) through a television broadcast signal. It’s called datacasting; any location that can receive a public television signal, can also receive data for a computer, tablet or smart TV. Datacasting effectively reaches rural areas where internet access does not, and efficiently reaches urban areas where internet cost can be a barrier.
Datacasting isn’t new – it has been around for decades – but never before have we been so acutely aware of the necessity to deliver timely digital information to areas that lack internet access.
The PMEP™ can serve families or facilities. How many people access the content depends on the equipment and devices at each location.
Mission
To help bridge the digital divide by delivering timely, informative, rich digital content to our community members who do not have internet access because of geography or cost.
Vision
To enrich people’s lives and work with digital learning opportunities.
Serving a Family
One home may have multiple pre-K through 12th grade students, in different classes with different curricula. One window antenna and connected education device supplies the school content to each student’s wi-fi enabled device. The PMEP can deliver additional content for students with learning disabilities, inclement weather day plans, curriculum to prevent the summer slide or enrichment to address learning loss.
Serving Employees in the Field
Update workers in the field with the latest professional development materials or telehealth content where broadband doesn’t exist. By attaching a small antenna to a tablet, the PMEP supplies employees the timeliest information available by sending training videos, public health collateral and more.
Serving a Facility
By installing a much larger server and router, the PMEP creates a large wi-fi network that delivers learning content to hundreds of devices throughout a facility. Now we can better serve unconnected pre-K and Head Start programs, as well as justice-involved youth and adults.
Serving the public
With an antenna and touch screen kiosks, the PMEP delivers interactive health information to public locations without access to broadband internet. The kiosks can cycle content automatically on a loop or users can select content through a menu. Content can include videos, posters, maps and html files.