Futurekids Partners with Intel, Adobe, Lenovo and Technology & Learning Magazine to Create 21st Century Connections Technology Resource for Schools
Becoming a 21st century classroom just got a little easier with a major new
information portal for administrators, teachers and students. The initiative
is a partnership between technology companies Lenovo , Adobe, Intel, and
Futurekids and facilitated by Technology & Learning Magazine.
The web site is dedicated to delivering technology solutions that allow
students to explore ways to learn new skills and use tools that thoroughly
engage them. School districts are looking for ways to help students acquire
these new skills while they also address NCLB mandates.
“All of us are committed to producing the very best students in America and
beyond,” explained Dzana Homan, CEO of Futurekids. “Today, that means we
have to educate our students to not only be book smart, but also have the
technology skills needed to succeed in today’s global workforce. Technology
can help provide faster information for processing information, analyzing
results, and communicating effectively so they can collaborate, solve
problems and make decisions. It’s a whole new 21st century skill set.”
As part of the partnership, teachers, administrators and students can log
into www.21centuryconnections.com and learn about best practice techniques
for creating a learning environment that takes advantage of the very latest
software, hardware, assessment and professional development tools.
In addition, the group is planning a series of educational symposiums for
school districts across the country. The first, scheduled for Sept. 28, 2007
in Coral Gables, Florida, will discuss in-depth technology funding
challenges and solutions encountered by school districts. A West Coast
conference covering these topics is slated for Oct. 11, 2007 in San
Francisco.
“Futurekids is proud to be involved with such an important initiative as
21st Century Connections,” continues Homan. “All of our partners believe
that technology has to play an integral role in learning effectiveness.
Research bears that out time and again.
But at Futurekids, we believe it’s not just hardware or software. An
integrated technology program should also include benchmarked assessment and
professional development programs to augment the plan. What good is
technology if a teacher or a student doesn’t know how to use it?”
The group also publishes an ongoing newsletter filled with tips and how-to
articles on technology integration in education as well as hardware and
software tips and has recently completed an online eBook entitled
“Technology Planning: Building Supper and Communication.” Individuals can
sign up for the complimentary newsletter and eBook at the 21st Century
Connections web site.
“Working with some of the brightest minds and trendsetters in technology has
really been inspiring,” says Homan, who was recently selected as a member of
the Women’s Leadership Board of Harvard University’s Kennedy School of
Government. “All of us are committed to making a significant impact on
education, and technology gives us the tools to do that on a broader scale
with greater speed.”
About the Companies
Futurekids
Futurekids is the premier provider of technology assessment, professional
development and technology curriculum for leading schools, universities and
learning centers in the United States and in 65 countries around the world.
For more information on Futurekids, please visit
www.futurekids.com.
Lenovo
Lenovo is an innovative, international technology company formed as a result
of the acquisition by the Lenovo Group of the IBM Personal Computing
Division. As a global leader in the PC market, Lenovo develops, manufactures
and markets cutting-edge, high-quality PC products and value-added
professional services that provide customers around the world with smarter
ways to be productive and competitive.
Intel
Intel has for nearly 40 years pushed the boundaries of technological
innovation in order to make people's lives more exciting, fulfilling, and
easier to manage. Intel provides the brainpower and expertise in creating of
the most leading-edge processor and wireless technology standards to help
people connect and access information anytime, anywhere.
Adobe
Adobe revolutionizes how the world engages with ideas and information. For
25 years, the company's award-winning software and technologies have
redefined business, entertainment, and personal communications by setting
new standards for producing and delivering content that engages people
virtually anywhere at anytime. Adobe is one of the world's largest and most
diversified software companies.
Technology & Learning Magazine
Technology & Learning (www.techLEARNING.com), published by NewBay Media LLC,
is a leading publication in the K-12 educational technology market. In 2006,
Technology & Learning was recognized for its commitment to excellence,
receiving several of the industry's top media accolades.
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