"WELCOME TO YOUVILLE" is the first video installment of a two-year, $800,000 educational technology grant from the U. S. Department of Education that Detroit Public TV obtained with the assistance of Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick. "Youville" is one of three video components in a series of three instructional units developed for The Enrichment Channel (TEC). Each unit represents a constructivist approach to learning that integrates core academic content.  TEC is designed to provide teachers, students and parents with curriculum-based tools and technologies that boost learning skills.

Detroit Public TV has been working with southeast Michigan's leading early elementary literacy and educational technology experts to launch this project and create this program. Dr. Elaine Weber and Michael Gielniak, representing the Macomb Intermediate School District, took the lead in writing the instruction plan for the video. Wayne RESA's Dr. Ron Sniderman and Andrew Henry were primarily responsible for the CDROM content development..

The team decided to build the project's literacy learning framework around the theme of "community." "WELCOME TO YOUVILLE" not only explores second graders' understanding of their community, it also provides them with an opportunity to become proactive in designing their own ideal communities. TEC will continue to expand the theme of "community" in the two remaining LCUs for third and fourth graders.

All early elementary teachers throughout Oakland, Macomb and Wayne Counties have perpetual educational use rights to the program and are invited to record the show for use in their classrooms. In addition, each tri-county and Marquette-Alger county 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade teacher is eligible to receive the corresponding CD-ROM free of charge. Parents and caregivers are also invited to record the programs for home use and can inquire about obtaining the CD-ROM at (313) 876-8148. For more information and teacher testimonials visit the DPTV website at  http://www.wtvs.org/youville/youville.htm