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The Ramsey New Jersey School District purchased 1,075 ipads for all of the schools. Money well spent because a study proved better in class student participation as well as communication between students and teachers through e mails and video tutorials. I'm impressed because of their drive to create globally technologically competent students who are able to reach out to the whole world through technology. These students will be well prepared to face the work force.

Students in 600 districts nationwide will have their very own Apple iPad. A lot of schools have scratch textbooks and moved to using ebooks on the iPad. There are so many different lectures, videos, and textbooks on the Apple's ITunes U Store for students to use. 

I love the one book program that our district runs, where everyone in town reads the same book and we have an author visit as a wrap up. I have met some new and interesting people that way. Having that collective understanding on just one thing is vital to extending relationships amongst people who would normally never connect. The more you know about people around you, the more you care. The global read-aloud can achieve that same interconnectedness.

I found this article most interesting because it talked about how some school districts are now getting funding that is allowing their students to have their own personal computer that can be used for school work. It allows them to personalize and download things on to their own computer.

Andrew Marcinek Director of Technology and EducatorU.org Co-founder, Boston, MA An acceptable use policy is a document that is present in every school district around the country. The purpose of this policy is to provide safe parameters for exploring digital resources and using school-issued devices properly. The article talks about the importance of developing internet use guidelines that students can understand by avoiding overly complicated words that may confuse or intimidate students. These guidelines should focus on how students should use the technology rather than focusing on what they should not be doing. The article also focuses on the importance of involving parents and helping them understand how their children should be using technology. Furthermore, the article mentions the importance of being aware of the new apps and their implications in the lives of students. This allows school districts to stay one step ahead and decide whether or not they want students to have access to these apps.

Today ISTE Standards list digital citizenship as one of aspects, which all members of a school district should support. Today digital technology is growing at a fast rate not only in schools but also in society as a whole. Mike Ribble and his college Gerald Bailey wrote a book called "Digital Citizenship in schools." The book defines 9 key elements on how use technology in school, home and within the community. Among the 9 elements are 3 categories: Respect, Educate and Protect. Respect covers using technology correctly and not stealing others property. Educate covers helping users communicate to each other properly and to use literacy correctly as well as buying items online correctly. Protect covers educating others to know their privacy rights. Mike hopes to have these 9 elements created into a curriculum so teachers can use technology at various levels. Mike wants to make sure that educators make sure to help students understand the issues they may encounter online while also showing the positive impact technology can have.

This is an article about how Google apps are helping with dyslexia. The article states that google chrome books are cheap so a lot of school districts use them.

The article talks about the importance in keeping up with technology. They believe that people, such as teachers and programs would be "silly" to not stay update with the new technological systems, because that is the way our future is learning and growing. The talk about teachers teaching teachers, stating The Teacher Leadership Project, a nationally recognized, award-winning professional development model that is used in 18 states by 4,200 teachers, is a prime example of the good work being done in technology-infused teaching. "The whole '21st century' mindset is more than technology itself. It's the confidence teachers have to effectively use it in class."

This article outlines new improvements for teacher professional development, involving newer technology upgrades.  One key point of the article was the passing of the Enhancing Education Through Technology, or (EETT) state grant program, which includes a $650 million stimulus package to upgrade technology in classrooms across the country.  Funding is also provided to train the teachers to properly use the technology to its fullest capacity, this way educators can have confidence using these new tools.

Today students are expected to learn analytical skills for preparation for work and life in the 21st century. Teachers are expected to teach way that develops those skills. President Obama and congressional leaders included 650 million dollars. 25% had to be used to buy the most updated technology for students. International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) states "It would be "silly" not to keep up with the changes of the world today" National Staff Development Council says we have failed as a nation to meet highly effective professional learning. Today 18 states (4,200 teachers) were recognized for technology integration in the classrooms. Enhancing Missouri's Instructional Networked Teaching Strategies (eMINTS) is a program that aims to create classrooms where all students are motivated to succeed, build enthusiasm and creativity. eMINTS trained 3,500 teachers and 300 administrators since its formation in 1999. In the 21st century student will have a difficult time succeeding without technology. The article states "Technology integration in the end, is not really about technology, but rather the life skills it instills in students and teachers."

A brand new article, Technology changing the culture of the classroom is about as up to date on the benefits of technology as you can be. In the Southwest Allen County school district, they take technology very seriously. They have a 1:1 ratio of student to ipad. They also use assigned technology for 1:1 learning and allows students to work at their own, as well as letting them to use their own imaginations and minds to work through critical thinking.They digitize the entire process so that work can be done at school and at home. Digital literacy is becoming just as important a skill to learn as regular academia literacy.