Sponsored by & in Participation with:

Illinois State Museum
Thorne Deuel Auditorium (Lower Level)
502 South Spring Street
Springfield, IL 62706-5000
(map)

On February 24, TechAmerica (formerly AeA) partnered with the Illinois Innovation Talent Project to convene a half-day forum focused on using the NETS, related Partnership for 21st Century Skills, and leading technology tools to transform the 21st Century learning environment in Illinois schools.

Over seventy attendees participating in the program, including many educators and government officials.  TechAmerica would like to thank all of our sponsors and partners for assisting us in hosting this important event.

We are pleased to include the following video produced by students at Lincoln Magnet School regarding their participation in the 21st Century Learning Symposium.

Watch a video by Lincoln Magnet School on the symposium

Learn more about the Lincoln Magnet School in Springfield, IL or visit the Lincoln Magnet School website

Dr. Christopher A. Koch, Superintendent, Illinois State Board of Education, provides the morning keynote address

Event panelists Dr. Lynne Rauch, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Apple Inc; Dr. Randy Gunter, CEO, 21st Century Learning Solutions; and Mr. Anthony Salcito, General Manager of Education US, Microsoft Corporation (L-R)

Students from a Lincoln Magnet School utilizing a 21st century curriculum with Dr. Lynne Rauch, Apple

Challenge:
Despite our best effort, we still struggle with how to fully utilize technology in the K-12 curriculum to improve performance for all students and reduce dropout rates. Integrating 21st Century Skills into education can make a tremendous difference in addressing these problems.

Background:
The Illinois Innovation Talent Project has engaged public and private leaders in a pilot initiative to promote innovation-centered education and further ongoing efforts to increase student achievement, particularly in math, science and engineering. This initiative engages high school students in solving complex real-world problems with business, government and community partners using problem-based learning and leading-edge information technology tools based on the updated National Education Technology Standards (NETS) and the related learning innovation and technology standards established by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills.

The NETS and the Partnership for 21st Century Skills provide an essential foundation for moving the initiative to scale in Illinois. However, many public and private leaders in Illinois are not fully aware of the importance of these standards and the implications for transforming the learning environment.

Illinois Innovation Talent Project Advisory Board

Microsoft Resources

The Microsoft IT Academy program enables academic learning institutions to connect the world of education to the world of work by enabling faculty and students to acquire new technology skills in an academic setting. Microsoft IT Academies benefit from world-class Microsoft curriculum and cutting-edge software tools to experience real-world challenges in the classroom environment.

6 I Process

Before we could build the School of the Future, we had to create a process that would guide the development team and provide a framework for decision making. Thus, the "6i Development Process" was born. This page explains the six stages of this process. We also invite you to watch our video titled, Understanding the 6i Development Process (38 MB - Windows Media).

Start Using the Education Competencies

View the complete list of competencies, and take the first steps toward incorporating them into your professional development and hiring practices. Learn more.

Additional Microsoft Resources

• Microsoft Imagine Cup Challenge for Students
• Microsoft bliink Web Design Contest for Students

Download the Presentation of Anthony Salcito, General Manager US Education, Microsoft Corporation

Download the Presentation of Robert Shults, Intel K12 Education Team

Dr. Randy Gunter, CEO, 21st Century Learning Solutions (Panel Presentation)

Dr. Randy Gunter, CEO, 21st Century Learning Solutions (Keynote Presentation)
 

For additional information, please contact:

Ed Longanecker
Executive Director, AeA Midwest Council
1 Lincoln Ctr
18W140 Butterfield Road
Oakbrook Terrace IL 60181-4258

Phone: (630) 613-7174
Fax: (630) 613-7175

This page was last updated on 03/02/09.  
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