District Administration - April 2010 - (Page 37)

Digital Natives on Their Terms Making your technology environment student centered. By AlAn Dessoff rom replAcing print textbooks with digital content created by teachers or gathered from outside sources to encouraging students to explore the world around them digitally, many districts are creating a new type of student-friendly teaching and learning environment that goes beyond just adding computers to classrooms. Through a wide range of curriculumrelated activities inside and outside the classroom, they are bringing about what administrators and others involved see as a significant cultural shift in education. And such a cultural shift is part of president obama’s plans for the future of American education. He recently stated that the reauthorization of the elementary and secondary education Act comes with an ambitious goal: to ensure all students graduate from high school prepared for college and a career in the 21st century. According to “generation m2: media F in the lives of 8- to 18-year-olds,” a report released in January by the Kaiser family foundation, children in that age group devote an average of seven hours and 38 minutes a day to using entertainment media, including television, music players, computers and video game devices. With technology playing such a prominent role in student lifestyles, district leaders are creating programs that include not only specific technological tools like interactive whiteboards and netbooks but also restructured curricula. These programs allow students to work outside as well as inside the classroom on projects that often involve collaboration via technology with other students and experts worldwide. Don Knezek, chief executive officer of the international society for technology in education (iste), says the “digital divide,” the gap between people with and without effective access to digital technology and its impact on their earnings, now also is seen as a “learning divide.” That means, he says, that “kids don’t have the opportunity to learn, as well as earn,” if they don’t have digital skills. While students formerly had the classroom teacher as their “sole guide,” they now can use those skills, as well as new digital tools, to connect and interact with experts around the world, and “that makes so much difference in helping kids learn and advance and stay engaged,” Knezek says. in the new environment, “every student has a digital device and access to the Web and is supported by a curriculum that shows kids how learning can take place outside the classroom,” adds Will richardson, a former teacher and now an author and columnist for District Administration who encourages the integration of technology in learning. Federal Support There is also federal support. last november, president obama launched educate to innovate, a digital learning initiative to www.DistrictAdministration.com Ap[ril 2010 37 http://www.DistrictAdministration.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - April 2010

District Administration - April 2010
Contents
From the Editor
News Update
Health
Standards
District Profile
Administrator Profile
Conversations
Sports for Life
Reaching Digital Natives on Their Terms
RTI Goes Mainstream
Double Duty: Schools as Community Centers
Online Edge
Tech Disruptions
Product Focus
New Products
Student Counsel

District Administration - April 2010