District Administration - November/December 2011 - (Page 23)

cio Technology from The cIo perspecTIve District M-Learning ISTE’s Mobile Learning Group “Grows the Conversation” in just Four short yeArs, the steering committee of the international society for technology in education’s (iste) special interest group for mobile learning has expanded from a mere six members to 33, and the group itself now has over 3,000 members, according to elliot soloway, chairman of the group and professor at the university of michigan. The primary mission of the group, abbreviated sigml, is to educate members and the education community at large about the benefits and challenges of implementing mobile learning plans. This fall, the group launched a new webinar series to drive the conversation. “education in the Age of mobilism” took place on nov. 3, and now webinars are planned for each month. The group also has a new wiki to allow group members to continue the conversation after each webinar. “educators will become educated in the ins and outs, strengths and weaknesses, and challenges and benefits of mobile ISTE’s Special Interest Group learning devices,” says soloway. on Mobile Learning (SIGML) The group’s theme this year Chair Elliot Soloway travels frequently learning about mobile is to “grow the conversation.” According to soloway, while learning plans around the globe. The group has recently launched a mobile learning has gained new webinar series. momentum and become a buzzword among school districts, very few have actually implemented Byod programs within their schools. “it takes time to make the shift,” he says. “despite hesitation, people are recognizing technology’s capability. it takes patience and failure, but that’s what our group explains.”—Marion Herbert www.DistrictAdministration.com Low-income Students to Receive Free Technology Tools three-yeAr progrAm lAunched this past september by microsoft will ensure that 1 million students from low-income families in the united states receive software, hardware and discounted broadband internet service at home. it’s the “digital inclusion” arm of shape the Future. shape the Future makes it possible for anyone to have access to 21st-century tools, regardless of their ability to afford it, according to dan mcFetridge, business development director of the shape the Future program at microsoft. microsoft is working with city, state, nonprofit and private organizations, as well as the Federal communications commission, to develop and accelerate reduced-cost programs. one such organization is the network for teaching entrepreneurship, a nonprofit that inspires low-income youth to stay in school and learn the basics of entrepreneurship. microsoft is also partnering with hardware, software, broadband and training providers. Among these partners is comcast, which is offering home internet access for $9.95 a month. The effort will focus on K12 students who are eligible to participate in the national school lunch program and on K12 teachers and native American students who don’t have a home pc and broadband. The actual cost for the user will vary depending on what the user wants and what the user wants to do, mcFetridge says. seattle public schools, charlotte-mecklenburg schools and chicago public schools already take part in shape the Future and are among the national leaders in this latest project. “The ultimate goal [of this program] is to execute Bill gates’ original vision of a pc for every desktop and home,” says mcFetridge. “There are 9.5 million kids in the u.s. who don’t have access to technology at home. The end result for students should be better employment opportunities, graduating from high school, better job skills, and an opportunity to fulfill their potential.”—Angela Pascopella November/December 2011 23 A http://www.DistrictAdministration.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - November/December 2011

District Administration - November/December 2011
Contents
From the Editor
News Update
Inside the Law
Administrator Profile
District Profile
CIO news
How to Update Your Network on a Budget
The Importance of IT Team Unity
Creating an Anti-Bullying Program With the Resources You Have
The Ultimate Empowerment Program for Parents
Taking the Helm in Cheating Scandals
Readers’ Choice: Top 100 Products
New Directions
Professional Opinion
Problem/Solution
Going Mobile

District Administration - November/December 2011