The global economy, 21st century skills, knowledge society, college and career readiness, digital and project-based learning are all common terms to educators who are expanding their learning environments beyond the classroom to meet the needs of all students. It is common knowledge that the rapid technological advances of this century have…

At Cambrian School District, educators are trying a new approach as they investigate new technologies. Rather than roll out a one-size-fits-all mandate that one will use this new "box," which may also sit gathering dust, they have implemented a new model. Early in the last school year they announced the Digital Media Academy, and in…

Technology today is poised to usher in the best of times. Exploring what other districts do highlights the common themes as well as the unique challenges. Three very different districts in Silicon Valley--Portola Valley School District, Campbell Union School District and San Jose Unified School District--explain the strategies they use to enhance…

Finding the money for new technology purchases is not easy in the best budget years. In today's economy, one will be lucky to keep the lights on and the Internet connected. Knowing that the hive as a whole can be wiser than the brightest bee, the author sought the counsel of professional friends and colleagues through an informal survey, to which…

Technology is always changing, always improving, and always pushing the envelope for how one works in education. In this increasingly connected age, people have seen rapid growth in social network tools such as Twitter and Facebook. These sites are representative of Web 2.0 resources where users contribute content. Other examples of Web 2.0 sites…

In past decades, the "digital divide" referred to the gap between those who could afford access to technology and those who could not. The divide has shifted in recent years to reflect the growing technological chasm between teachers and their students: today's schools and teenagers' worlds. The digital divide is widening and deepening…

ACSA (Association of California School Administrators), the CSBA (California School Boards Association), the California Educational Technology Professionals Association, the Santa Clara County Office of Education, CUE (Computer Using Educators), the law firm Fagen, Friedman & Fulfrost and others have joined forces to develop policies that can…

In an era characterized by aligning curriculum, instruction, and assessment through professional development to increase student achievement, educators have continued to see the achievement gap proliferate. With the move toward the common core and nationalized standards, how teachers educate and what they give students access to in the…

Planning and implementing major innovations in large urban districts can be a daunting and overwhelming idea--particularly when it comes to technology--due to real and perceived obstacles. Added to this challenge is the reality of the worst budget crisis in California history. When students are empowered by full access to technology, learning…

Although 95 percent of American schools have computers and teachers are being trained, school leaders are being left behind. Vignettes in California schools underline the need for capable, future-thinking principals who can lead staff in creating realistic technology plans focused on informational, safety, and security issues. (MLH)

Every computer for student use should have software for multimedia production. All students should be using high-quality Internet resources in core content learning. The Global School Network can help teachers become part of Internet-based exchange projects. Teachers are key to integrating technology with classroom curricula. (MLH)

Describes efforts by principal of the Willow Elementary School in the Charter Oak Unified School District (California) to provide students with technology-enhanced access to information and learning resources to improve reading and mathematics skills. Includes list of the Web addresses for the skills software used at the school. (PKP)

Every month, "Leadership" features articles written in an informal, conversational style that provide practical information for school administrators. This issue of "Leadership" contains the following titles: (1) "The Bonstingl Personal Executive Stress Audit: Find out What You Can Do--Starting Today--To Build a Healthier Life"; "Work Worth Doing:…

Every month, "Leadership" features articles written in an informal, conversational style that provide practical information for school administrators. This issue of "Leadership" contains the following titles: (1) "A Better Approach to Testing" (Smith, Franklin); (2) "Accelerating Learning: Time to Pick up the…

In a 5-year evaluation of the $6.6 million Challenge 2000 Multimedia Project, technology-using students surpassed nonparticipating peers in developing critical 21st-century job skills. Multimedia Project students outperformed comparison students on content mastery, sensitivity to their audience, and coherent design capabilities. Standardized test…