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K-12 Computing Blueprint News - June 2009

Welcome to the June 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

In recent months there have been many interesting conversations in the press about two controversial education issues. One of these – addressed in our spring webinar and last month’s quick poll – relates to print textbooks and whether they are a thing of the past. This issue continues to heat up as states such as Texas and California debate the merits of going digital. As California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger wrote in a recent editorial for the San Jose Mercury News:

It's nonsensical — and expensive — to look to traditional hard-bound books when information today is so readily available in electronic form. Especially now, when our school districts are strapped for cash and our state budget deficit is forcing further cuts to classrooms, we must do everything we can to untie educators' hands and free up dollars so that schools can do more with fewer resources.

Interestingly, not all of you agree. In fact, nearly 50% of those taking last month’s Quick Poll told us, “Digital content is fine but we still need print textbooks,” while another 29% indicated that you liked the idea of going digital but other decision-makers in the district were not so sure.

This month, the conversation shifts to testing and assessment. As noted on our Stimulus news page, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan recently told the nation’s governors that the U.S. Department of Education will use $350 million of the Race to the Top Stimulus funds to help states develop new tests to measure student progress towards world-class standards. In this month’s Quick Poll, we invite you to share your opinion on the assessment/testing question. Do we need more – and better – tests, or do we already place too much emphasis on testing and standards?

In addition to addressing such controversies, the K12 Computing Blueprint web site has other new information to share with you this month, in the form of practical advice and success stories. These include the announcement of the winners of Intel’s Schools of Distinction award, the results of the latest research from the Maine Learning and Technology Initiative, and more. Read on.

QUICK POLL: Do We Need More (Better) Tests?

Do you approve of the Obama administration's decision to earmark Stimulus funds for the development of new tests? Do we need new and improved tests? Or are you one of those who believes that testing is part of the problem rather than the solution? Take this month’s poll to let us know.

Meet the Winners

Congratulations to the schools selected as winners in Intel’s annual Schools of Distinction program. The six winners earned the top honors for their extraordinary commitment to instituting 21st century teaching and learning environments and implementing innovative programs that inspire their students to excel in the areas of math and science.

Each of the winning schools will receive a $10,000 cash grant from the Intel Foundation and an award package that includes curriculum materials, professional development resources, hardware and software valued at more than $100,000. Representatives from the winning schools will attend an awards celebration on Sept. 13 in Washington, D.C., where one of this year's six honorees will be named "Star Innovator," and will receive additional prizes including a $15,000 grant from the Intel Foundation.

You can read about the winners and learn more about the program at the K12 Blueprint site.

New Results from Maine

Two recent studies from Maine’s Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) add to the body of research on building successful one-to-one programs. In these new reports, researchers at the University of Southern Maine looked at mathematics and science achievement in schools involved in the state’s seven-year-old laptop program.

Improving Mathematics Performance Using Laptop Technology focuses on the impact of an intensive two-year professional development program on improving mathematics instruction. The researchers concluded that the professional development was effective in improving teacher content knowledge as well as changing teaching and technology practices, which in turn led to improved student performance on standardized mathematics tests.

Using Laptops to Facilitate Middle School Science Learning compares two classrooms in the same school – a control group taught in a traditional manner with a paper report as a final project, and other students who were taught by the same teacher, in a similar manner, but had access to educational websites and were asked to complete narrated animated podcasts as their final projects. Not surprisingly, pre- and post-tests showed that those involved the technology-rich project had greater comprehension, retention and engagement.

These two reports, along with many others, are summarized at the K12 Computing Blueprint Research Watch page.

Headlines

California Moves Towards Digital Textbooks
A bill passed by the California Senate and under consideration by the Assembly could offer flexibility and savings to the state's schools.

Exclusive Look Inside Intel
A blogger reports on a visit to Intel's headquarters to learn about the company's commitment to education and technology.

Cash-strapped Minnesota District Clings to Laptops
After six years of successful implementation, the one-to-one program is struggling for survival.

Acer Offers Netbook Trial Over the Summer
Acer recently announced a program that allows schools to "test drive" an Aspire One Netbook for 30 days.

Tips for Notebook Implementation
A Generation YES report, summarized by Tech & Learning, looks
at student support for laptop learning.

Don't Miss

A few other recent items of particular interest at the K-12 Computing Blueprint site include:

• The frequently-updated Stimulus Center featuring news on ARRA and how your district might be impacted by it.

• An inverview by Ken Royal with Intel's Eileen Lento.

• Archived content from Intel’s April, 2009, Visionary Conference.

• An on-demand Webinar on Transforming Curriculum in the Technology-Rich Classroom.

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