Digital Learning Day is
Wednesday, February 5, 2014. If you're asking yourself "what's
that?" you've come to the right place. Spearheaded by the Alliance
for Excellent Education, Digital Learning Day recognizes innovative teaching and
common-sense, effective applications of education technology that support
teachers, improve learning, and help students achieve at their highest
potential.
In addition, thousands of state and local events will be held
throughout the country, including the more than 1,000 local events that
educators have added to the Digital Learning Day website. In conducting their
events, educators will be tapping the interactive lesson plans andteaching toolkits available
in several different subject areas, including English language arts, math,
science, social studies, and more.“In the two years since the Alliance’s inaugural Digital Learning Day, the many uses of technology to improve student learning outcomes in the nation’s schools have skyrocketed,” said Bob Wise, president of the Alliance for Excellent Education. “Still, there are schools and classrooms where students are asked to check their devices at the door. Digital Learning Day was created to provide all educators—from those who are technology averse to the technology rock stars—with the support and guidance they need to feel comfortable using different types of technology to improve learning in their classrooms.”
In addition to the local events, Digital Learning Day will include a national showcase event and virtual conference that will be broadcast live on the internet from the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. The showcase will be hosted by Judy Woodruff, co-anchor and managing editor of the PBS NewsHour, and it will feature Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler, U.S. Representative George Miller, FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, Acting U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education James H. Shelton III, Wyoming State Senator Rich Crandall, and Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Lillian Lowery.
The national showcase will also feature educators and students from schools and school districts that are using technology to make a positive difference in student learning, including Talladega, Alabama; Beaverton, Oregon; Henry County, Georgia; Hillsborough, Florida; Albemarle County, Virginia; and West Windsor Township, New Jersey. Also highlighted will be key initiatives to bring broader adoption of technology into classrooms, including an urgent need to update the federal E-rate program, an immensely successful initiative that has connected 94 percent of schools to the internet, but as more teachers, students, and devices attempt to access a school’s network, it cannot meet the exploding demand for high-speed connections.
“From simple beginnings, Digital Learning Day has become a worldwide event for showcasing how technology can improve student outcomes and support teachers,” said Bob Wise, president of the Alliance for Excellent Education and former governor of West Virginia. “I encourage everyone—educators, parents, students, and members of the media—to visitDigitalLearningDay.org or contact your local schools and school districts to see what they are doing to celebrate Digital Learning Day and learn how you can get involved.”
Visit DigitalLearningDay.org for ideas about how students, parents, administrators and others can participate. Follow the action on the Digital Learning Day Twitter page, with the #DLDay hashtag, and on the Digital Learning Day Facebook page.
In USD 308, we know that every day is a digital learning day, but the resources and celebration surrounding this event are truly too good to pass up. What are you doing on Wednesday to recognize Digital Learning Day?
