Oct
19
Written by:
Dan Maas
10/19/2009
Since 2006, the National School Boards Association has selected 20 educators from across the United States to honor as leaders in the use of technology in their classrooms. Two years ago, we were thrilled to nominate our own Karl Fisch who was selected for the 2007 awards. This year, we again have cause to celebrate as not just one, but two LPS educators were selected!
Anne Smith is a Language Arts teacher at Arapahoe High School who routinely uses blogs to facilitate discussion, reflection and communication as students tackle literature ranging from the classics to the most modern texts you might find on the New York Times Best Sellers list. It is a common occurence now for educators, authors, community leaders to tune in to class discussions or contribute to blog discussions. Her class activity on the book, A Whole New Mind has involved members of our Board of Education, the Superintendent, edubloggers around the planet and live Skype video conferences with the author, Daniel Pink.
Chris Moore is a 5th grade teacher at East Elementary School who collaborates so seamlessly with Nicolette Vander Velde that it is often hard to tell whose class is really whose when you visit. But team teaching isn't the only way the classroom walls have been brought down as these teachers use blogs and wikis for writing every day and hold high standards of the writing products students place online. Rather than just using blogs or wikis for the published product of a writing assignment, the students regularly use the blogs to peer review and help each other improve as writers. Recently, during the Presidential address to public schools, these classes engaged in blogging that drew the attention of Education Week.
You can read the NSBA Press Release and also the local Newspapers have some details for further reading. The upcoming T+L national conference has more details online and I encourage folks to be sure to register and attend!
It is hard to express how proud of these educators we are. And truly, they are examples of what is happening here... not unique exceptions. It is exciting to see how the use of information technologies can truly increase not only student engagement, but also student acheivement measurable on state assessments. And on top of that, to see students develop 21st Century skills that aren't on any test... until the test of life as represented by college and the workforce is introduced.
Congratulations to Anne, Chris and Nikki for your recognition this year! Your work is an inspiration.