'Digital Learning Day' Aims to Bring a Tech Revolution to the Classroom

From iPads to one-to-one laptop programs, school districts across the nation are increasingly looking to technology to boost student achievement. But if educators aren't well-trained on how to effectively incorporate hardware and software into the classroom, the technology can't produce results. A new campaign called Digital Learning Day, which takes place on February 1, is aiming spearhead a tech revolution in schools.

Launched by the Alliance for Excellent Education, a Washington D.C.-based education advocacy organization, Digital Learning Day is part of Digital Learning Now, an ongoing effort to build a digital movement connecting teachers to high-quality tools and resources. The group's president, former West Virginia governor Bob Wise, says that although technology has improved modern life in numerous ways, teaching and learning "remains largely untouched by the power of technology." Wise hopes teachers, librarians, school and district administrators, community groups, and parents will sign up to participate in Digital Learning Day.

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The campaign offers some helpful suggestions on how to plug in. Schools that are new to digital learning can get their feet wet by hosting a community conversation about how to help meet students' needs. Campuses are already using digital learning techniques can challenge themselves with something new, like starting a wiki, incorporating digital storytelling, or trying out an online lesson. Educators who excel at using technology are encouraged to submit videos showing their successes.

To help participants to build their digital learning skills, the campaign has developed toolkits that include examples of project-based learning, collaboration opportunities, lesson portals, and innovative ideas. Twenty-eight states and dozens of individual school districts and campuses already have signed up to participate.

Photo via (cc) Flickr user flickingerbrad