District CIO

From a guide to the Galapagos to the nervous system guide and lesson plans for laptop learning, The National Science Teachers Association has suggestions for interactive resources and online learning tools.

A report from the Brookings Institution argues that policymakers must recognize the potential for technology to stretch dollars and improve outcomes. "Education Technology Success Stories" includes examples of emerging technologies for education, from robots that give language lessons to stealth assessments that replace traditional testing with game-based observations of competency.

In the eighth grade, Arlan Jaska figured out how to write a simple script that could switch his keyboard’s Caps Lock key on and off 6,000 times a minute. When friends weren’t looking, he slipped his program onto their computers. It was all fun and games until the program spread to his middle school.

Gov. Rick Snyder got some hands-on experience Tuesday with the type of cyber charter school program that will be expanding next fall under a new Michigan law. The self-described nerd’s tech skills came in handy as he read “Memoirs of a Goldfish” to roughly 90 children in grades K-3 who watched and listened online through the Michigan Virtual Charter Academy.

The computational thinking toolkit is a complete collection of all of ISTE's CT resources. From presentations and handouts to surveys and graphic animations, you'll find everything you need to learn more about or to advocate for CT.

This PowerPoint presentation will help district leaders build community understanding and support for using Web 2.0 to increase participation, engagement, and 21st-century readiness for all students.

A Florida Senate budget proposal includes money for teacher raises, but the State Board of Education is worried the spending plan does not set aside enough money to expand Internet access at state schools. The Senate budget proposal unveiled Wednesday sets aside $76 million to expand Internet access at state schools.

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee would like to get public schools' tech levels up to that of private schools, and has asked successful tech firms to “adopt” one of San Francisco’s 12 middle schools to provide them with learning tools. As a result of his request, he may be able to announce a large private gift to schools within the next few weeks.

The Sioux Falls, S.D. school board unanimously approved a new technology plan to put Chromebooks or iPads in every student’s hands over the next two years. Starting next school year, the 17,000 computers will be phased in and will go to grades three to 12, while grades K to 2 will receive iPads.

The Cody (Wyo.) Public Schools Board of Trustees is holding public forums for superintendent candidates from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on March 20, 21, and 25 at the Holiday Inn in Cody.