Today, February 1, 2012 has been designated by the nation’s educational community as “Digital Learning Day” and February is Digital Learning Month.
Digital Learning Day is a nationwide celebration of innovative teaching and learning through digital media and technology that engages students and provides them with a rich, personalized educational experience. On Digital Learning Day, a majority of states, hundreds of school districts, thousands of teachers, and nearly 2 million students will encourage the innovative use of technology by trying something new, showcasing success, kicking off project-based learning, or focusing on how digital tools can help improve student outcomes. (From: http://www.digitallearningday.org/)
Starting in 1999, NAPLS adopted a set of standards requiring technology proficiency for graduation. Since that time, the district has placed a large emphasis on utilizing technology to enhance teaching and learning. Over the past 15 years, teachers have reported that technology adds value to teaching and learning in a variety of ways.
Technology adds value by providing opportunities for:
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Creative Thinking
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
- Product Creation
- Increasing Audience
- Organizing Thought and Information
- Increased Access to Information
- Student Choice in Learning Methods
- Student Choice in Presentation of Knowledge
- Varying Representations of Knowledge
- Connecting Learning to Real World
- Increased Feedback and Assessment
- Individualized Instruction
- Experiential Learning
- Connecting the Learning Community to the World
- Learning Any Time or Any Place
Technology adds value by providing opportunities that:
- Are Novel and Varied
- Amplify Human Abilities
- Distribute Intelligence
With a nationwide focus on Digital Learning today (2/1/12), we thought it would be informative to share with the community what happened in our classrooms yesterday (1/31/12)! Across campus, in every building, teachers used technology for a variety of reasons:
Second grade learners in Mrs. Parmer’s class used and interactive research tool called PebbleGo to explore biographies. With features such as interactive timelines and “read aloud”, learners have increased access to information that is individualized and represents knowledge in various methods.
Learners in Mr. Messenheimer’s 6th grade Science class used web resources and completed an online “bid proposal” form as part of a Problem-Based Learning energy project. The project will culminate with the creation of a digital story presenting their solution to energy problems. Technology will provide opportunities for learners to collaborate and communicate while also providing the necessary tools to enhance their creativity, problem solving and product creation.
Middle School and High School Math teachers worked collaboratively using Google Docs to begin in the revision and alignment of the districts curriculum to the 8th grade Common Core standards. The online collaborative environment allowed staff members to distribute their intelligence and will ultimately lead to a product that will be used to guide instruction for years to come.
High School Humanities learners in Mr. Locke’s class used online resources to explore the Greek gods and goddesses. Sites such as “The Greek Gods Family Tree” and “The Family Tree of the Greek Gods” provide learners opportunities to organize their thoughts in an environment filled with choice, as they experience learning through interaction.
The Alliance for Excellent Education (the sponsors of Digital Learning Day) define Digital learning as:
“any instructional practice that is effectively using technology to strengthen the student learning experience. Digital learning encompasses a wide spectrum of tools and practices, including using online and formative assessment, increasing focus and quality of teaching resources and time, online content and courses, applications of technology in the classroom and school building, adaptive software for students with special needs, learning platforms, participating in professional communities of practice, providing access to high-level and challenging content and instruction, and many other advancements technology provides to teaching and learning.” (From: http://www.digitallearningday.org/)
As evidenced in the examples above, every day is digital learning day at New Albany – Plain Local Schools!
The above list of 4 examples are part of a larger list gathered during the day yesterday through an online form. The complete list contained over 20 examples! To see the other examples of what happened in the classroom yesterday, visit Digital Learning Day Examples.
Other Recent Technology New Stories:
- Student, teacher innovation showcased in New Albany
- Local students participating in virtual laboratory program
- Two students recognized for work with technology
- Schools promoting STEM education for girls