Digital Transformation

A new report from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation says AR/VR programs could bring new lessons to students across grade levels, given the requisite investments to spur adoption and research.

Technology coordinator Tom Wilkinson won 30 Chromebooks and a mobile cart for Lumberton Township School District in New Jersey by proposing to build an outdoor pavilion that could be a learning and event space.

The state of Illinois has asked school districts to submit plans for teaching students remotely in the event of hazardous weather or other emergencies, potentially reducing disruption and make-up days.

The Massachusetts school district drew from the Emergency Connectivity Fund and other sources to buy 1,200 Chromebooks, 900 laptops, 1,500 broadband hotspots, interactive touchscreens and electronic whiteboards.

A sixth-grade teacher at Whitthorne Middle School in Tennessee created a Facebook group, “Got Quarantined?,” as a local resource for food, supplies, volunteers and emotional support during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Using a $20,000 grant from the Alabama Arts Education Initiative, Austin High School bought powerful new computers on which students can learn to code and make computer graphics, background music and sound effects.

Student GPAs saw statistically significant declines where schools had switched to hybrid or all-online learning models, especially among economically disadvantaged, English-language learning and migrant students.

Schools in need of Internet access and related equipment for virtual learning have another opportunity to receive money through the Emergency Connectivity Fund, the FCC announced this week.

Transitioning from the iNow student information system to PowerSchool, districts across the state will allow parents to access grades and attendance from mobile phones, and student records to transfer automatically.

Tecumseh Public Schools provided Chromebooks for students in grades 7-12 to take home last year for remote learning, but with little time and an understaffed IT department, it's been a scramble to retrieve them.

The Virginia school district has contracted with a local health-care provider to provide technology and telehealth services to reduce student absences and travel times to and from clinics and hospitals.

The Capital Area Online Learning Association and its system for enrolling students in full-time or part-time classes online is taking off in Pennsylvania, offering more electives and career pathways programs.

AT&T and Northern Virginia Community College are partnering on a two-year, on-the-job IT skill-building and mentorship program to fulfill a growing need for qualified candidates in national security.

Carlsbad Municipal Schools in New Mexico bought 3D printers and 2,400 Chromebooks with funds from the Education Technology Equipment Act and a private donation from Edgewater Federal Solutions, Inc.

As the first full-time director of a consortium of businesses, economic development groups and other organizations trying to grow Iowa's education technology industry, Mark Butland wants to facilitate collaboration.

The Los Angeles-based, venture-backed ed-tech startup will use the funds to build out artificial intelligence for a tutoring program, as well as its library of virtual lessons that have been used by millions worldwide.

Administration at Mason City Community Schools is pleased that 73 students enrolled in a new virtual academy for K-12, established through ESSER funds and enabled by Chromebooks and Google Classroom.

A new contract with Verizon allows state and local government agencies in Georgia and 12 other states to purchase devices and service plans at a steep discount and provide those to constituents in need.