Technology & Learning - December 2008 - (Page 8)

LEADEROFTHEYEAR Putting Good Ideas to Work Not many people can say their computers cure cancer. John Davidson hopes that just might happen thanks to participation in the Kentucky Dataseam Initiative. Davidson’s district, in conjunction with other participating schools throughout Kentucky, have partnered with the University of Louisville’s (U of L) Brown Cancer Research Center to form a techno-grid across the state. While students play at recess, go home for the night, or hit the beach on vacation, their computers stay hard at work computing processes and conducting theory research towards finding a cure for the devastating disease. The win-win situation offered Davidson the ability to enhance his formerly 100% PC district with 60 U of L compatible Macs. Davidson also proudly acts as support to two paperless classrooms within his district, achieved through the hard work of the teachers in gaining community These students gained handsdonations to help fund the on experience revamping and transfer from traditional methupgrading the older computChief Information Officer, ods. Davidson notes a tangible ers to make them useable with Marshall County enthusiasm and heightened new educational software. The Public Schools (KY) engagement from the fourth school then partnered with graders, when observing the classes. family resource centers that help the district’s “[This has] really taken learning to a new lower-income families to place the recondilevel. They’ve challenged their kids to think outtioned computers into the hands of students side the box, to collaborate, to communicate, who were not afforded the luxury of owning a and to really become digital and twenty-first computer in their homes. century learners. This is a skill that even at a To offer an inclusive broad range of opporyoung age is really going to prepare these kids tunities, the district offers free community for life and what we will see in global society, technology classes to enhance involvement. especially by the time they graduate high “We target a wide audience. Beginner school and go into college or the workforce.” courses— we say ‘for people who are afraid to Davidson then went an environmental and turn a computer on,’— to offer basic skills and financial smart step further with the knowledge so the technology is not someTechnology Takeout program. Using the disthing to be feared, all the way up to intermetrict’s stockpile of older, outdated computers diate and advanced photography classes.” and hardware, the program took recycling to The key to this success connects family and a new level with the assistance of high school community with the natural love children have students attending the district’s IT center. for technology. JOHN DAVIDSON What They Use ■ Adobe/Macromedia ■ BrainPop ■ Dell ■ Enterasys ■ ePals ■ Google Talk ■ HP ■ Infinite Campus ■ iPrism / St. Bernard ■ Kentucky Dataseam Initiative / Apple ■ nComputing ■ Promethean ■ Skype ■ SMART ■ Twitter ■ Visionapp Remote Desktop LAST BYTE: “JUST TO SEE THE FACES OF THE KIDS WHEN THEY COME THAT NIGHT TO GET THEIR COMPUTER—THEY LEAVE THERE LIKE IT’S CHRISTMAS.” 8 | TECH & LEARNING

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Technology & Learning - December 2008

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