February/March 2012 - Laramie County School District #01

18 • February 2012 Public Schools’ ChronicleLCSD1, WDE partner for digital learningDavis Elementary fourth-grade student Blake Tuttle uses a SMART Board to present information about bobcats to his classmates.Technology is used extensively throughout Laramie County School District 1 to help engage students in learning and provide themwith skills necessary to compete in a global economy.Laramie County School District 1 and the WyomingDepartment of Education recently partnered ina nationwide effort designed to promote digitallearning in the classroom.Dubbed “Digital Learning Day,” the virtual event washeld Feb. 1 to celebrate innovative teaching and highlightpractices that make learning more personalized andengaging for students. Most states across the countryparticipated in the day-long webinar where they sharedtheir success in using innovative technology to engagestudents. The event was hosted by the Alliance for ExcellentEducation.“This first-ever National Digital Learning Day helpedcreate an awareness that today’s students are living in aworld that is very different from even a few years ago,”said Kara Gann, LCSD1’s Information Technology programadministrator.On behalf of LCSD1, Maureen Young, technologyintegration specialist, and Helen Stalker, Fairview/Lebhartinstructional coach, both gave presentations duringWyoming’s time slot.According to Young: “We participated because wewanted to showcase the efficient way that we have beenable to provide staff development to the teachers atFairview, Lebhart and Sunrise elementary schools. Ourpresentation titled “Tech in Ten Toolbox” showed participantsa framework for how other coaches or staff canuse digital tools to communicate technology tips.”Presentations throughout the day helped showcaseproject-based learning and how focusing on digitaltools can improve student outcomes. In addition, FCCChairman Julius Genachowski and U.S. Secretary ofEducation Arne Duncan made a special joint appearanceduring a Town Hall Meeting held as part of theday’s webinar.More than 1.5 million students and teachers registeredand participated in the event.“I am excited that the Wyoming Department of Educationfacilitated our state’s participation in this nationalevent,” Gann said. “We are pleased that our schooldistrict was provided with the opportunity to present atDigital Learning Day.” —Photo & text by Mary Quast