Leading Innovation Institute a Huge Success
The Friday Institute and the NC 1:1 Learning Collaborative completed a successful three-day institute entitled Leading Innovation: Implementing Effective 1:1 Learning Technology Programs. The institute was designed to help school and district leadership teams prepare to implement effective programs in which 21st century teaching and learning is enhanced by a 1:1 ratio of students and computers.
Participants of the hands-on learning experience gained a deeper understanding of the nature of 21st century teaching and learning in 1:1 environments and how to prepare and support teachers to teach in a 21st century, 1:1 classroom. All 150 attendees participated in a classroom immersion session (aligned to NCSCOS) where institute attendees collaboratively created a Virtual Civil Rights Museum using a wiki platform illustrating the power of 1:1 computing and its ability to bring down the barriers of time and space.
Institute participants also learned the importance of a robust, reliable technology infrastructure and effective technical and instructional support along with how to lead successful, sustainable innovations in schools and districts by involving teachers, parents, businesses, and communities. Representatives from Greene County, a NC county that has been in a 1:1 environment for the past six years, shared lessons from their experience as well as a great student success story. Watch Abel Real tell his story to congress here.
Participants came away from the institute energized and excited about bringing new ideas to their classrooms and districts. One district level participant commented that the institute was a ”transformational experience” for the team.
More information about the institute and the ongoing conversations related to improving education can be found here:
Leadinginnovation09.wikispaces.com
nc1to1.ning.com