District CIO

Carnegie Mellon University and one of the government’s top spy agencies want to interest high school students in a game of computer hacking. Their goal with “Toaster Wars” is to cultivate the nation’s next generation of cyber warriors in offensive and defensive strategies. The free, online “high school hacking competition,” open to grades 6-12, is scheduled to run from April 26 to May 6.

A new start-up uses 21st-century technologies to make ancient values relatable and dynamic. To the glut of products and solutions comes a promising one geared specifically to Jewish educators: ShalomLearning.

Two recent events underscored the importance of utilizing digital tools to inspire students and demonstrated the intersection between technology and education. On March 5th, AT&T's Hispanic/Latino Association, HACEMOS, held the 15th annual High Tech Day in 31 cities across the country. The same week, the Pew Internet and American Life Project released a report that revealed how teachers are using technology in their classrooms to enhance learning and engage students.

The Alabama legislature is close to approving a plan to borrow $50 million to replace outdated equipment in high school technology programs, which proponents said will help more students stay in school and get jobs when they graduate. A bill authorizing a $50 million bond issue has moved through the legislature with bipartisan support.

Hamilton County (Tenn.) school officials want to put iPads, or similar devices, in the hands of as many students as possible, as soon as possible. They say it's the wave of the future. That's why they visited the STEM "school of the future" Friday, already up and running, on the campus of Chattanooga State Community College.

Students in the Ripon (Wis.) Area School District are benefiting from iPad technology, and several more students in the region soon will, too, thanks to a project funded in part by a grant from the Green Lake County/Ripon Community Foundation.

Janesville's smaller neighors are on top of the latest technology. What is our district doing to keep up? Do our administrators have the necessary vision? What must be done, and how much will it cost? And would all this spending make sense?

Apps are a great educational resource, but if you don’t have a tablet, smartphone, or iPod touch, you can’t really use them, right? Well, not exactly. You actually can access thousands of free and paid apps on your desktop, laptop, or netbook using Google Chrome.

K12 social learning platform Edmodo has acquired technology start-up Root-1, developers of OpenMinds, a free platform that allows teachers to instantly customize education apps.

A new science, technology, engineering and mathematics school will be opening in the fall at North Hall High School, Hall County, Ga. In the new STEM wing, walls will be removed and glass walls will be installed. This will allow students to view others working on robotics, metal fabrication and computer technology. There are also plans to provide a feeder program for students in middle school.