In September 2011, the U.S. Department of Education sponsored a new project called Digital Promise. The bipartisan, public-private initiative will fund research in educational technology and will bring leading technologies into the classroom to help students with problem areas such as STEM subjects. Review the main directions of this project using the provided link and post your thoughts on which initiatives could be particularly helpful for the development of next-generation learning environments in Alabama schools and colleges. (Focus on your own subject area and grade level.)
Link address: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/09/15/fact-sheet-digital-promise-initiative
The initiatives that I believe could be helpful for development of next-generation learning environments are transforming the market for learning technologies and creating a buyer's consortium to demand better prices and higher quality. I think that transforming the market for learning technologies is important because it is hard to apply the knowledge of technology if you do not have the proper equipment. I know Mobile County has done a good job with giving different classrooms with technology but I know in Birmingham it isn't the same. Also I think creating a buyer's consortium to demand better prices and higher quality would be helpful because it would help provide the money for all the technology that is needed into the school to implement next-generation learning environments.
ReplyDeleteI was most attracted to the initiative that focused on cyber-learning. If successful, this initiative could have tremendous implications for special-needs students and even those who find themselves home-bound or forced to be out of the classroom environment for an extended period of time. Students today already spend an enormous amount of time on computers and using other technologies, so creating "next-generation learning environments" is only logical. The real-life applications of cyber-learning are very appealing to me, as is the STEM video game challenge. This second initiative appears, at least on paper, to be a great marriage between a way that students love to spend their time and a great need for American students to become more proficient in key areas such as science and math in order to be competitive in today's global markets. As a high school librarian, I especially like to see that this initiative is supported by the American Library Association, among others.
ReplyDeleteThe initiative that I believe that could help the most is "transforming the market for learning technologies". I see schools all around Mobile County that don't have the resources or technology equipment that they need for their classrooms. This initiative could help demand better prices for a higher quality product and each student could possibly get their own laptop or iPad to use on a daily basis.
ReplyDeleteLearning faster what is working and what is not by rapid testing of promising new technologies would be particularly helpful for the development of next generation learning environments. Technology changes so rapidly and we need quick ways to evaluate and improve products. Using the same types of technologies as companies like Netflix and Amazon will help our schools by identifying what works and what does not and by accelerating the pace of learning and innovation.
ReplyDeleteI think that "transforming the market for learning technologies" is a great initiative, one that is very much needed here in Alabama. We need our schools to be equipped with the latest technology, and we need good prices because budgets are stretched to the limit. I feel that technology is what can really level the playing field for students from a variety of backgrounds. I've seen how laptops have transformed learning in Auburn City Schools, and I would really like to see all schools have access to laptops and ipads. These initiatives are promising, and most seem like very good ideas, but as a tutor I was rather turned off by the idea of being replaced by a computer or robot! Technology does have its advantages and its place in the classroom, but human interaction is still very important for children's learning and development.
ReplyDeleteAs a former elementary teacher and soon-to-be reading specialist, the initiative that caught my attention from the Digital Promise project was transforming the market for learning technologies. Many schools lack not only the know-how of technology and its uses but the funding and materials needed be able to run a 21st century classroom. I am not familiar with schools in Mobile County but from my own experiences in my former school district in Chicago, there were a maximum of 1-3 computers in each classroom and one of those being the teacher's computer. Although we had a great computer lab, we had to share that with the entire school which made it difficult to utilize technology to its fullest potential. Through observations in a few of the Baldwin County schools, I was pleased to see that each student had his/her own iPad that they kept for the entire school year. Imagine the opportunities that provides for those students. Digital promise is being set up to collaborate with school districts to develop "smart demand that drives private-sector investment in innovation" (para 5). Therefore, the chances of educators and their students seeing more technological resources being readily available to them at cheaper costs seems more promising.
ReplyDeleteThe Digital Promise project seems like an initiative to keep us on the right track as we embark on a time in education that is transforming rapidly in technology. The challenges the digital project has included recognizing the newest digital technologies, learning what works and what doesn't, and keeping all technology current. I was very excited to see Mooresville High School is North Caroline mentioned as one of the schools in the League of Innovative Schools trying these initiatives. Mooresville is what Baldwin County is modeling Digital Renaissance after...many of our administrators have visited the school several times. Some of the ideas that jumped out at me were testing out online tutors to personalize learning for students and continuing to test programs to improve how classrooms use certain technologies. As a Library Media Specialist, I would be interested in knowing more about the Valve video game competition that stemmed from the brain quiz game, Portal 2. I've heard of some schools using video games in the library. It would be interesting to observe and see how this idea would work!
ReplyDeleteIn my world, big uses of technology for the sake of engineering and college readiness are not what I need because that honestly isn't useful for my kids. However, robots who can use nonverbal cues to teach vocabulary would be amazing. Sometimes, technology is less intrusive to my special needs students than face to face contact, which provides for better learning outcomes. Also, even though my kids won't use technology to give them greater opportunities in college readiness, the increased access to these devices gives new freedoms, such as communication devices.
ReplyDeleteThe Digital Promise initiative that I was most attracted to is the New Investments by NSF on Cyber-Learning. This initiative is providing millions of dollars in awards to fund the development of next generation learning environments. I think Mobile County Public schools could benefit from this because it seems to aim at targeting all learning situations. A few of the prototypes include; "GeoGames" that give students real life situations to help learn different skills, online tutors, and robots that use nonverbal cues to teach vocabulary. I think this initiative is most appealing because it seems to target a wide range of students in a variety of ways. I think schools and school systems get locked in what they have "always" done and forget that the world around is ever changing and we have an obligation as educators to give our students the tools to succeed in this world.
ReplyDeleteThe initiative that I saw as the most helpful of the Digital Promise was the challenge to transform the market for learning technologies. Here in Mobile County, some schools are implementing miDevice where students can bring in devices to use. While this is a step in the right direction, those devices have to be bought by the individual families. There is no unity in this form of technology and many students still do not have access. In Baldwin County, each student is provided an iPad to use for the year. Hopefully with the challenge of transforming the market, we will be able to report more districts like this across Alabama. Another challenge I found interesting was the goal to identify breakthrough technologies. While I disagree that an educational software program will be as effective as a personal tutor for many students, I do see the power in exploring this idea. One site that comes to mind is Khan Academy which can be used to learn lessons in all subjects and all grade levels. In my opinion, there are many positive ideas included in the Digital Promise.
ReplyDeleteAs an elementary teacher, the initiative I believe to be extremely helpful is transforming the market for learning technologies. The launch of the National 2012 STEM Video Game Challenge was not only a good idea but very useful at my school. My school was given the opportunity to work with a few of the creators of the program and I can truly say it has thoroughly enhanced our curriculum. First hand, I saw how students were able to quickly apply thinking skills and solve challenging problems on the video game. The video game made learning for the students enjoyable. The objectives align with the core curriculum and teachers are given the opportunity to monitor and control the questions student receive. In conclusion, the Digital Promise will definitely advance student learning.
ReplyDeleteAs a high school history teacher I find many of the initiatives in the Digital Promise intriguing, but not always as applicable as if I taught math or science. That said, I do believe that both the STEM Video Game Challenge and the Valve gaming challenge both open doors to the types of programs that create alternative historical scenarios. When students are exposed to technology that allows them to manipulate history they are able to see how even the smallest decisions play a large role. This is why I feel that video game challenges push companies to create games that are both educational and thought provoking while still being fun and entertaining. I am excited to see what the Digital Promise produces over the next few years.
ReplyDeleteAs a future secondary science teacher, I believe the Digital Promise will be a huge step in the right direction. I feel that transforming the market for learning technologies is an incredibly important initiative. Without the most up to date teaching equipment, the effectiveness of technology in the classroom goes down. Investments must be made in order to provide schools with the technology they need to be successful in the digital age. Technology is a vital part of scientific advancement and discovery. I believe the Digital Promise addresses the necessity of technology in science education and has developed the strategies needed to make that happen. The buyers' consortium addresses a very important issue of availability and affordability. Schools must have technology in their classrooms in order to use it! Coming together as a unit is a great start to getting equipment into more schools.
ReplyDeleteThe Digital Promise initiative that I believe could be particularly helpful for the development of next-generation learning environments in kindergarten classrooms – like the one I currently teach in – is that of identifying breakthrough technologies. I especially like the idea of creating educational software which is as effective as personal tutoring. If the software is effective and engaging, I believe it would make a huge impact on the academic achievements of our students. Having software such as this available in all homes to be used as reinforcement after each school day would be so much better than the typical worksheet for homework. Even though the kindergarten curriculum may seem easy to most, there are several components which require a preciseness that many people are unaware of. I would love to be able to provide my students with extra tutoring on phonological awareness and phonemic awareness from a trusted source. It would be wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI will be teaching either high school math or physics. One of the things I have witnessed takes place during the first week or so of school. Students are basically re-taught what they learned in the last semester or in a previous course. This takes time away from the present learning environment and delays learning. Valuable learning time is lost.
ReplyDeleteOne of the Digital Promise initiatives is a summer retention program. Here is one of the Digital Promise initiatives from Proof Points at http://www.digitalpromise.org/initiatives/proof-points/
"Summer Virtual Academy [in Piedmont, AL]....allows students to keep their laptops and participate in summer learning activities through a virtual environment [and studied] the effectiveness of the Summer Virtual Academy in preventing summer learning loss."
This would be highly effective for teachers and students. Students would remain in the learning mindset throughout the summer and teachers would not have as much of a hassle getting their students back on track an in a routine. Since everything the student does during the summer is tracked or traceable, administrators/teachers can keep up with the students' progress throughout the summer.
This could also assist in placing students in the appropriate courses. I have also seen students register for a class that they are truly not eligible or ready to take. This places unnecessary burdens on the student and teacher. If there was a summer retention program, the student's aptitude can be gauged prior to the first day of class.
I think that Digital Promise would be a great asset to the classrooms. I am a future math educator and having educational software that effective as a personal tutor for the students to have at home to help with homework would be very helpful. However, I would assign homework problems from the web page for the students to work out on paper to turn in for a grade. The way Digital Promise would help is if a student is having difficulty with a math problem, then on the side there would be a link that shows an example of how to work the problem out. With this students would not have to wait till the next day to ask about the problem. This would also help the shy students who are embarrassed to ask questions during class. Plus the new generation is all about technology so this is something that they would enjoy as well especially is their are games involved to make learning more fun for them.
ReplyDeleteThe Digital Promise initiative seems to be taking the correct steps at the right time. We are currently making a transition where education is adapting to new technologies and I think that The Department of Education and big software marketing work together to provide a system beneficial to both parties. In the STEM area I like what digital promise is trying to promote and that is a game fun competition where they team up with video gaming and promote competition for prizes, scholarships and prize monies for students. However it is not just any video games that they are promoting, they are using educational video games to emphasize education. Software companies cooperating with education is good for Alabama education because it will allow for us to break the plain and introduce many new models and schemes for teaching, particularly in the science aspect.
ReplyDeleteI am going to have to play devil's advocate on this one. I will be teaching Social Science 9-12. I have to say that these initiatives seem to concentrate heavily on Computer Science and STEM subjects. It does make sense that we would concentrate on these because of their importance in the future. I do however have concerns that the humanities are being left behind. I believe that it is just as important to know where we came from as it is to look to the future. I only hope that some of these companies, initiatives, and research will show interest in the humanities as well.
ReplyDeleteWorking in higher education, I can see where the STEM curriculum can be used to push the advancement of research and technology. I have had time to speak with several students enrolled in the program and receiving scholarship money. Like one of my classmates, I want to play devil's advocate for a moment. While the STEM program is commendable, one of the initiatives includes rewarding (buying) good ideas. I think that this can create a very competitive market for student intellectual knowledge and for research created. The positive side of this will be the generation of information and technology and the competition for young minds. On the other hand, competition will begin to increase for funding and students. Just as athletic recruiters scour the country for the best athletes, scouts may be created to find the great minds of our time. Competition can generate a darker side of education. Like in the early days of higher education, prestige may be granted to the highest bidder.
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