21st-century learning

The American Association of School Librarians added to its series of Learning4Life publications with the release of “Library Spaces for 21st-Century Learners: A Planning Guide for Creating New School Library Concepts.” Written by Margaret (Peg) Sullivan, the book focuses on planning contemporary school library spaces with user-based design strategies.

On a particular morning at Westlake High School, students are greeted not by their teacher but by a history book author on Skype, who was invited to talk to them about America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This type of teaching is a novel approach, but expensive, leaving people to ask whether the billions being spent on educational technology is worth the cost.

A survey of teachers who instruct American middle and secondary school students finds that digital technologies have become central to their teaching and professionalization. At the same time, the internet, mobile phones, and social media have brought new challenges to teachers, and they report striking differences in access to the latest digital technologies between lower and higher income students and school districts.

In his State of the Union speech, President Barack Obama talked about redesigning schools for a high-tech future. But long gone are the days of shop class, or even "vocational training," said Stephen DeWitt, the senior director of public policy for the Association for Career and Technical Education. What's emerging in schools now is something tougher to pin down.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett announced a full day of kindergarten will be guaranteed for all students.

Boston Public Schools Superintendent Carol R. Johnson announced the appointment of Roger Bourgeois as Assistant Superintendent for Technical/Vocational Network. Bourgeois, who currently serves as Superintendent of Essex Agricultural and Technical High School in Hathorne, will direct the district’s efforts to expand and enhance technical and vocational opportunities.

There is a widespread belief among teachers that students’ constant use of digital technology is hampering their attention spans and ability to persevere in the face of challenging tasks, according to two surveys of teachers being released on Thursday.

Thirteen Hahnville High School students placed third in the Louisiana High School Technology Challenge held on Feb. 6. The Challenge is a unique annual educational statewide team competition intended to renew a commitment to improvement in Louisiana through a concerted effort by high school students to demonstrate creative teamwork skills.

As the state prepares to move to computer-based standardized testing by 2015, the Lakota Local School District, Ohio’s seventh largest public school district, is about eight years behind when it comes to technology infrastructure, according to an independent consultant who recently evaluated the district’s technology.

In the East Chicago public schools, technology resources and applications from various partners are creating virtual learning experiences that help students from elementary to high school develop new skills, build on that knowledge, earn class credits and prepare for college and post-secondary careers.