SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwired - March 30, 2016) - School districts' use of technologies such as digital literacy training for parents, student-run technology support centers, robotic systems that record classroom teaching and learning, and data analytics earned top rankings in the Center for Digital Education's and National School Boards Association's annual Digital School Districts Survey.
Now in its 12th year, the Digital School Districts Survey Awards recognize exemplary use of technology by school boards and districts.
"School districts, with the support of their school boards, are increasingly focused on learning through innovative technologies," said Dr. Kecia Ray, executive director for the Center for Digital Education. "As a result, students are using all kinds of cutting-edge tools that assist learning, inspire creativity and help prepare them for the future. It's my privilege to congratulate these school districts that are making exceptional gains to transform education systems with effective uses of technology."
"The results of the Digital School Districts Survey exemplify how visionary leadership in the board room supports the innovative use of technology in the classroom and in the delivery of district services," said National School Boards Association Executive Director Thomas J. Gentzel. "The annual survey questions incorporate the latest technology trends and allow district leaders to utilize the survey instrument as a quick self-assessment tool to compare their own districts' use of technology against national trends."
The Digital School Districts Survey top-ten rankings are awarded to the school boards/districts that most fully implement technology benchmarks in the evolution of digital education, as represented in the survey questions. All U.S. public school districts are eligible to participate in the Digital School Districts Survey.
Highlights of the Top Ranked School Districts in Each Category (categories based on student enrollment):
- Hampton City Schools, Va. (12,000 students or more)
Hampton City Schools uses technology to encourage student and teacher engagement. In addition to Web-streaming their board meetings and producing a variety of podcasts for parents, teachers and students during the school year, HCS also provides digital literacy training for parents, including Internet safety and privacy, acceptable use policies and more. Read more.
- White County School District, Ga. (3,000 - 12,000 students)
White County School District has moved away from print textbooks. Instead, the district is using e-textbooks, online collaboration, quiz tools, instructional games, simulations, films, TV programs, YouTube segments, music, lectures and podcasts for instruction. A full-time instructional technology director trains every teacher, and there are instructional coaches at each school tasked with helping teachers better integrate technology in the classroom.
District collaborative projects include online courses with North Georgia University, online video conferences and 3D virtual mapping in coordination with the county government. Read more.
- Springfield Public Schools, N.J. (up to 3,000 students)
Springfield Public School District uses technology to improve instruction and learning. Using a robotic camera system and a remote device on a lanyard transmitting to their iPad, teachers record themselves while teaching. The videos are then uploaded into teacher accounts, reviewed and used for collaborative professional learning or self-reflection.
Meanwhile, data analysis is used to inform instruction, personnel and budgeting, and "InnovateNJ," a collaboration with another district to share best practices in data analysis, identifies students that need improvement in specific areas. Parents can then review academic performance data and learn how to help their child with targeted skills at home. Read more.
View the full list of school districts honored here.
About the National School Boards Association
The National School Boards Association (NSBA) is the leading advocate for public education and supports equity and excellence in public education through school board leadership. NSBA represents state school boards associations and their more than 90,000 local school board members throughout the U.S. Learn more at: www.nsba.org
About the Center for Digital Education
The Center for Digital Education (CDE) is a national research and advisory institute specializing in K-12 and higher education technology trends, policy and funding. CDE provides education and industry leaders with decision support and actionable insights to help effectively incorporate new technologies in the 21st century. Learn more at: www.centerdigitaled.com
CDE is a division of e.Republic, the nation's only media and research company focused exclusively on state and local government and education.
Contact Information:
Media Contact:
Margaret Mohr
Chief Marketing Officer
mmohr@erepublic.com
916-932-1364