PLATO Learning Blog

Enhancing Education Through Technology: Grant Process Update

Dana Laursen — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:55:20 GMT

Guidance, fact sheets and other resources were recently added to the US Department of Education website for the remaining ARRA priorities including School Improvement and the Secretary’s Innovation funding. In terms of ARRA funds, both the recovery priorities—meaning support to fill in for budget gaps—and the reinvestment priorities—those initiatives aimed at school improvement and innovation support—have been addressed. It’s clear that technology plays a big role in these initiatives, and most are closely aligned to the priorities identified in Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) grant applications.

Turning Pipe Dreams into Reality: Take Advantage of Funding

Dana Laursen — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:22:59 GMT

Do you have a technology project that fits your students’ needs but is outside your school’s current budget? Do you see opportunity in a start-up extended-day learning project such as afterschool or weekend learning “camps” or online courses for anytime/anywhere learning for your students? Do you believe learners could benefit from online curriculum options to support traditional classroom instruction?

Technology 2 Transform E2T2

Dana Laursen — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Technology is clearly a dominant thread in the tapestry of education reform launched by the Obama administration’s Department of Education earlier this year. The potential behind technology integration in the classroom is supported by the $650 million ARRA investment in the State Education Technology Grants via the Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT, Title IID) program. The ARRA grants—combined with the $269.9 million funds for 2009 and the proposed budget of $100 million for 2010—total more than a $1 billion investment in technology.

School Improvement: A Success Story from Columbus City Schools

Dana Laursen — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:17:02 GMT

The term "innovation" seems to be omnipresent in education stories, blog posts, and policy these days. Some professionals are beginning to question what it really means to be "innovative."

While we continue to sort through the nuances of "innovative" education practices, some districts are examining the results of significant school improvement efforts aimed at student achievement gains utilizing methods that are both replicable and effective. Many of these programs include creative, multi-use applications of technology, data-driven instruction, and models that incorporate extensive professional development options as well as continuous improvement strategies.

Online Instructional Materials: Displacing the Traditional Textbook

Tanya Krohn — Thu, 21 May 2009 14:05:37 GMT

In today's world of multi-tasking, it's imperative to align individual resources with as many uses/users as possible—to reap the best return on investment (ROI). It's also a must to make choices that offer the flexibility necessary to see real results. Just such a conversation is taking place across the country with regard to the definition, or rather the re-definition, of a textbook.

Extended Day Learning: A Modern Twist on the School Calendar

Dana Laursen — Tue, 05 May 2009 09:51:03 GMT

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has challenged educators, students, and parents to think differently about devoting time for learning, as well as identifying ways in which to extend the school day, school week, and school year. In a recent Denver Post article, authors noted that the agrarian calendar—which allowed for summers to address agricultural needs—just doesn’t fit today’s world. The same authors noted the typical U.S. K–12 school holds class 180 days each year, while other industrialized nations top 200 days per year—with some Asian nations hitting 240 days. Further, as research has proven, one size does not fit all with regard to instruction or the time needed to learn. The summer gap is also difficult for students in terms of losing learning gains from the previous year. So, what are some ways to creating additional time for learning?

Investing in At-Risk Students: The Online Learning Model

Dana Laursen — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:32:18 GMT

As education evolves, technology increasingly becomes a conduit for innovative teaching and learning practices. Online learning, including credit recovery programs, are defining new directions for school districts to address the individual needs of a spectrum of students—as well as their reasons for seeking an alternative to the traditional classroom. Credit recovery is currently a high priority for districts as they struggle to prevent dropouts and prepare students for post-secondary education and workforce readiness.

Using Technology to Support Tiered Instruction Expert Strategies and Funding Opportunities

Dana Laursen — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Define Your Program

As an active practitioner of tiered instruction, Mary Reeve, Director of Services for Exceptional Students, Gallup McKinley Public Schools, Gallup, NM provided her expertise during a free PLATO Learning-sponsored webinar on April 10, 2009. Ms. Reeve emphasized four important questions in defining an effective tiered intervention strategy for any school or district:

What is the need?
What are the implementation options?
How will progress and success be measured?
How will you know when you've achieved success?

When Disruptive Turns Innovative

Tanya Krohn — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In historical context, the word "disruptive" has carried a negative connotation—unrest, disorder, or even insubordination. But what if we flip the viewing plane, and look at disruption as a catalyst for important and meaningful change?

That's how Clayton Christensen, professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School, sees the influx of online learning options and opportunities in education. In an article entitled, "Online learning set to soar" in the Volume 12, No.4, April 2009 issue of eSchool News, author Dennis Pierce explains Christensen's parallel between the disruptive innovations in the technology world and those facing today's public schools.

The Technology Balancing Act

Tanya Krohn — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As reported by The School Administrator, AASA recently asked school administrators to indicate their priority for the use of stimulus funds in their districts. The report findings, "Looking Back, Looking Forward: How the Economic Downturn Continues to Impact School Districts" indicate these top five high-priority uses:

Classroom technology (57%)
School modernization/repair (54%)
Safety/security measures (40%)
Connectivity (39%)
Professional development (37%)