K-12 Computing Blueprint News - October 2008

Welcome to the September 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. 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. .

This month’s newsletter includes several looks ahead, at things about to come our way. By the end of next week, for example, we’ll be accepting applications for the 2009 Intel Schools of Distinction awards and registrations for an upcoming webinar on “Data, Metrics and Results.” And then, of course, there is the looking ahead that our entire nation is engaged in as we count down the days to November 4. (See our invitation, below, to vote for president here, online, before you vote in person.)
By the time we send you our next newsletter you will have weathered over one month of a battered economy, your students’ Halloween sugar highs, and the final days of a heated national election. Here’s hoping that our new president, whoever he might be, understands and appreciates all that you do, as educators, to help provide America’s students with 21st century skills that will allow them to build a brighter future.

-- Judy Salpeter, Editor

Learn About Intel’s Schools of Distinction

In recent weeks we’ve shared information with you about the Intel Schools of Distinction winners and finalists and this year’s Star Innovator, Sojourner Elementary School. We invite you to read more about the Schools of Distinction program, honoring exemplary schools for their excellence in science and math education, at the K-12 Computing Blueprint web site or view photos of the 2008  awards ceremony.
Is your school or district doing great things in the areas of math and science? If so, we encourage you to apply. Applications for 2009 will be accepted at the Intel web site beginning on October 20. Maybe we’ll see you at next year’s award ceremony!

Mark Your Calendars: Webinar on November 18th

What are we learning from the schools and districts all over this country that have invested in one-to-one computing programs? Who else is planning to join them and what results are they hoping to see? How does one track the effectiveness of a technology-rich program and build in metrics that allow school leaders to modify and improve upon it? These are the sorts of questions that will be addressed in a practical and important webinar on “One-to-one: Data, Metrics and Results”. Our presenters represent three different perspectives -- local, state and national -- and you won't want to miss what they have to say. Look for an invitation from us, via email, very soon!

Vote for President Today

Last chance to weigh in on your choice for president. Will you be voting for McCain and Palin or for Obama and Biden? Does their approach to education (or to technology) have anything to do with your choice? Have you heard anything in the debates or elsewhere that inspires confidence or fear as you think about the next president and what he will do for schools?  Vote for the team you trust and tell us WHY.

Read About the Texas TIP Results
A recently released report on Texas' Technology Immersion Pilot (TIP) documents the one-to-one program’s impact on 21 middle schools. Conducted for the Texas Education Agency by the Texas Center for Educational Research, the report examines the data from the third year of implementation and finds benefits including: more collegial relations between participating teachers; increases in math achievement; decreases in disciplinary actions; and a reduction in the technology proficiency gap between economically advantaged and disadvantaged students. There were a few surprises and disappointments as well. Read more online.

Headlines

Equal Access, Engagement Lead to Alabama Laptop Success
Test scores and attendance are up and so is excitement about Cullman City Schools' one-to-one laptop program.
Cody Expands One-to-One Initiative
In Cody, Wyoming, the local laptop program follows middle school students to high school.
Small Texas Towns Gear Up
In Trent and nearby districts students are gaining 24/7 access to technology.
Lockheed donates 1,200 Laptops in New Orleans
Eighth graders in New Orleans’ Recovery School District will all have laptops this year thanks to a donation from Lockheed Martin.

Become Part of the K-12 Computing Blueprint Community

Complete the Blueprint Questionnaire to tell us about your experiences with one-to-one computing. We will be selecting responses to share online at the K-12 Computing Blueprint site in the coming months as part of a new "Tips from the Field" feature.

Become Part of the K-12 Computing Blueprint Community

Complete the Blueprint Questionnaire to tell us about your experiences with one-to-one computing. We will be selecting responses to share online at the K-12 Computing Blueprint site in the coming months as part of a new "Tips from the Field" feature.

Email us today if you have suggestions, feedback, ideas or an interest in blogging for us.

About K-12 Computing Blueprint
K-12 Computing Blueprint, brought to you by Intel and Technology & Learning, is your resource for one-to-one computing. Whether you're already involved with one-to-one computing, considering moving in that direction, or simply interested in the impact of widespread technology use on students and classrooms, Intel's K-12 Computing Blueprint site offers a variety of valuable resources. Visit us to read case studies, learn about research reports, and keep up on recent news about laptop learning, other forms of ubiquitous computing, and K-12 ed tech issues including funding, curriculum, leadership and professional development.

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