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K-12 Computing Blueprint News - September 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. Editor's NoteAt an awards ceremony earlier this week, six schools were honored as 2008 winners of Intel's annual Schools of Distinction program . They were selected because of their excellence in two areas vital to American education today: math and science. What makes a school a winner? The Schools of Distinction winners and finalists are not necessarily one-to-one institutions but, as Anthony Salcito, general manager of US education for Microsoft, a program sponsor, puts it, “Every one of these schools offer a great example of what can be achieved when the latest technology, along with incredibly collaborative environments, are incorporated into math and science programs.” Betsy Hill, president and COO of another Schools of Distinction sponsor, Learning Enhancement Corporation (publisher of BrainWare Safari), adds, “Each of the finalists and winners of the Intel Schools of Distinction program is to be applauded for demonstrating that excellence is not a notion, but an everyday effort by teachers, students, parents and administrators working together to accomplish something extraordinary.” To a degree, the achievement of these exemplary schools can be measured through test scores – which have generally soared. But nowhere in the descriptions of the winners will you find an over-reliance on teaching to the test, rote drilling, or numbing adherence to 20th century tools. These schools give lie to the notion that we need to choose between creative 21st century learning environments and preparing for the exams on which our schools' progress are measured. Although the tests capture only a portion of their excellence, these schools are winners on all fronts. Why? Because they set high standards and nurture the engagement, creative thinking, and self-confidence that allow students to achieve them. Or as Carmi Paris, VP of Corporate Development, for program sponsor Spectrum K12 School Solutions, Inc., puts it: “The dedication of these exemplary educators and award recipients is an inspiration to fellow professionals who are dedicated to ensuring that all students reach their highest potential.” -- Judy Salpeter, Editor Read About the Star Innovator Winner At the awards ceremony on September 1, Sojourner Elementary School in Milwaukie, Oregon, was selected as the Star Innovator among the six winners of the Intel Schools of Distinction program . Sojourner, a magnet school that serves 170 students in grades K-6, earned Star Innovator status for its innovative and rigorous mathematics program. Mathematics achievement at Sojourner has steadily improved over the past four years, with more than 90 percent of Sojourner students meeting or exceeding state math standards for their grade level. Learn more about Sojourner and the other winners and finalists at the K-12 Blueprint web site . Take the Poll: Are Students Getting Better at Multitasking? Are today's students really better at multitasking than we are – or than we were at their age? Have they developed new skills that allow them to learn better with multiple simultaneous input sources (eg. social networking, IM, cell phones, music, TV)? Or, on the contrary, has new media caused them to lose concentration and shorten their attention span? We've extended this poll for a few extra weeks because we want your opinion. Weigh in today . HeadlinesOne-to-One a Reality in Tempe Mini-Laptops in Baytown, TX Fire Destroys Laptops in South Carolina District Massachusetts District Expands Laptop Program Don't Miss A Laptop Especially for Schools : In our latest eBook, we introduce you to eight classrooms that have piloted Intel-powered classmate PCs for one-to-one computing with elementary grade students. One-to-one Profiles including Intel white papers, feature articles from Tech & Learning magazine, and a growing collection of case studies created especially for K-12 Computing Blueprint. Downloadable Blueprint Publications outlining the components of a blueprint for successful one-to-one computing. A variety of other resources including podcasts from Intel conferences, information on a variety of partner sites , and links to the web sites of a number of districts and schools that are involved in one-to-one learning. Become Part of the K-12 Computing Blueprint CommunityComplete 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.Become Part of the K-12 Computing Blueprint CommunityComplete 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 |
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