K-12 Computing Blueprint News - December 2009

Welcome to the December issue of the K-12 Computing Blueprint newsletter. This newsletter and the K-12 Computing Blueprint site are brought to you by Intel and Tech & Learning magazine. If, for any reason, you do not want to receive this monthly eNewsletter, please visit your custom subscription management page (the link is at the bottom of this email), and feel free to unsubscribe to this mailing.

Editor's Note
If you’re looking for good news about what’s happening in our nation’s schools, then read on. This month we have a lot to share with you, including:

* A new white paper from the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop on “Transforming Learning with Innovative Uses of Technology.”

* A summary of a House Education and Labor Committee hearing at which students, teachers and administrators testified about the ways in which their schools have changed as a result of innovative technology initiatives.

* Intel’s white paper on “The Positive Impact of eLearning.”

* Recently-updated information about the 2009 winners of Intel’s Schools of Distinction award, all of whom have been honored for instituting 21st century teaching and learning environments that inspire their students to excel in the areas of math and science.

* Our usual updates about ARRA money and how/where it’s helping schools.

And we’re also inviting you to share your own success stories in order to continue getting the word out to the world about what’s working when innovative educators, supported by powerful technology, focus on preparing students for a successful future. Don’t pass up the chance to:

* Enter the 2010 Schools of Distinction awards program. Deadline: February 17, 2010.

* Encourage your principal(s) to take the Project RED survey for technology-rich schools. Deadline: December 31, 2009.

We look forward to your stories.

-- Judy Salpeter, Editor

Quick Poll: What Role Does the State Play in Innovation?

Speaking of innovation and success, here’s our question for you this month: When it comes to education, should the state lead & inspire or butt out?  Maine, which has made news over the years for its statewide middle school laptop initiative, is being slammed by a recent report as lagging in innovation. How can that be? At least one critic interprets this as a call to give building and district leaders more freedom to make their own decisions.
How involved do you want YOUR state to be in decision-making and leadership? Take this month’s Quick Poll and let us know what you think.

Twitter Report

In last month’s poll we asked you about your use of Twitter as a professional tool. Forty percent of you told us that you are NOT into Twittering – or as Karen put it, “I think [it] is pointless. A total waste of time and people who have time to do this must not have enough WORK to keep them busy!”  The other 60 percent of you seem to agree with the respondent who wrote: “Twitter, used wisely, is one of the best tools I have for professional connection. I have learned so much from other technologically minded people who are creative and willing to share great ideas.”

The majority of you twitterers follow “a select number of people/groups” (fewer than 100) but a number of you are on board with Sandy who writes: “The second time around I ‘got’ Twitter. Now I can't imagine how I got good ideas without it or good answers to my questions. I follow around 200 people, 95% [of whom] are not people I know in real life.”  And just in case you’re not already doing so, we invite you to follow K-12 Computing Blueprint on Twitter.

Is Yours a School of Distinction?

REMINDER: Intel is now accepting applications for the 2010 Schools of Distinction program, honoring U.S. schools with 21st century teaching and learning environments that promote excellence in math and science. Apply online today. Or visit our Schools of Distinction page to learn more about the winners of the 2009 award.

Last Chance to Take the Project RED Survey

ProjectRED – an ambitious research project sponsored by Intel, Apple, the Pearson Foundation, Qwest, and eChalk and supported by organizations including NSBA, AASA, CoSN, ISTE, ASBO, AESA, NAMTC, SETDA and iNACOL – has extended its survey deadline till December 31. All principals of technology-rich schools are encouraged to take the survey asap. You can provide input to state and federal policymakers at the same time you provide useful information to your fellow educators. Every respondent who completes the survey will receive a complimentary copy of the report (a $999 value). 

Headlines

Cisco Reports on Internet Traffic Figures for Late 2009
A recent report shows residential use at more than 11 GB per household per month – and growing. What does that tell us about bandwidth for schools?

Advice to Policymakers on Using Technology to Address Stimulus Goals
A new white paper on literacy and learning in a new media age looks at the ways in which technology can help schools address each of ARRA's four reform goals while modernizing to meet the needs of 21st century learners.

One to One eLearning in Kenya
A coalition of companies and government agencies are working in Kenya to establish one-to-one laptop learning.

Congressional Testimony Supports Technology in Education
At a recent House Education and Labor Committee hearing, teachers, students and administrators testified about the ways in which innovative uses of technology are transforming and improving education.

Maine Faulted for Lacking Education Innovations
Maine's schools, while famous for leading the way in one-to-one computing, have received mixed grades from the 2009 Leaders and Laggards report.

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