Tuning in & Turning On: Using Technology To Engage Learners

How can rural schools take advantage of the latest technology to stimulate classroom learning?

BACKGROUND
As a part of its 21st Century Teaching and Learning Initiative, The Friday Institute is collaborating with educators from northeastern North Carolina school districts to create innovative classroom practices – and a technology infrastructure to support them – in rural public schools.

GOAL
New, technology-based learning tools will enable interactive, collaborative and engaging learning experiences that boost creativity and self-directed learning skills. Partnerships with some of the world’s leading technology companies (Cisco, IBM, Nortel and SAS) will help integrate technology that businesses use for work and children use for entertainment with educational content designed for the classroom. Technology typically used in company and university research labs, including scientific modeling, computer visualization and advanced analytical tools, will be infused into educational tools for K-12 schools.

PROGRESS
The Friday Institute collaborated with educators from school districts including Franklin, Roanoke, Granville, Weldon City, Northhampton and the Roanoke River Valley Educational Consortium, forming the cornerstone of the Friday Institute’s 21st Century Teaching & Learning Initiative. In a pilot project, researchers at the Friday Institute will help middle school science and math teachers enable their students to use scientific instruments and sensors (from partner Vernier Software and Technology) to collect data in laboratory experiments and engage in inquiry-based learning methods

FUTURE
The long-term goal is to establish multimedia telephone and video conferencing capabilities, including laptops, cameras and interactive “smart” whiteboards at schools in the five districts, to support professional development for math and science teachers. Teachers and administrators will be able to interact with others in the districts and at the Friday Institute. We are partnering with the New Schools Project that there is curricular focus and alignment between middle schools and the new high schools that are being created in this part of the state.

“We recognize that technology is not the panacea.
It is a means to an end.”