The fifth annual Excellence in Action National Summit hosted by the Foundation for Excellence in Education was held in Washington, D.C. last week. One theme pervading the discussion was the need to embrace technology and digital learning in the classroom. Governor Jeb Bush kicked off the conference on Tuesday, November 27 creating a sense of urgency for the education community. He asserted “technology offers the ability to customize the learning experience in a powerful” and one step in improving education is to embrace technology. “Digital learning is ultimately going to be commonplace across the fifty states, and it will be a joyous occasion when it does.”
Digital Learning Now!…The Experience was hosted later that morning and highlighted three examples of exemplary digital learning from across the United States. The Mooresville Graded School District in Mooresville, North Carolina uses a 1:1 laptop program with their students. Mike Kerr from KIPP Empower in Los Angeles presented a rotation model of blended learning for K-2 students. Finally, Joel Rose from New Classrooms discussed personalization through a blended learning model for students at the School of One and other New Classroom schools.
The digital learning conversation continued with Joel Klein, former chancellor of New York City’s public schools, at the keynote dinner on Tuesday. One of Klein’s wishes was to create a new system around education. “We need to rely on technology to empower teachers and improve education,” and also help bring teachers up to 21st century skills.
On Wednesday, the Transforming Education for the Digital Age strategy session, moderated by John Bailey, brought together a host of digital learning leaders. The policy discussion included Dr. Janet Barresi, Dr. Mark Edwards, Representative Pam Myrha, Governor Bev Perdue, and Senator Chip Rogers.