Futurekids Enters Second-Year Partnership with Intel, Adobe, Lenovo and Technology & Learning Magazine to Create 21st Century Connections Technology Resource for Schools
Building on an extremely successful first year, Futurekids is again teaming
with Intel, Adobe, Lenovo and Technology & Learning Magazine to bring
classroom technology into the 21st century.
Becoming a 21st century classroom is now much easier with a major new
information portal for administrators, teachers and students. This
initiative began last year as a partnership between the technology
companies, which are now expanding content and depth of information with
continued emphasis on 21st century technology and technology skill sets in
the classroom.
The web site, www.21centuryconnections.com, 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
onto www.21centuryconnections.com and learn about best practice techniques
for creating a learning environment that takes advantage of the latest
software, hardware, assessment and professional development tools.
In addition, the group will hold a series of educational symposiums for
school districts and technology directors across the country. The first, a
CoSN Breakfast, is scheduled for March 11, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency,
Crystal City, in Arlington, Virg. Other events are scheduled for Bellevue,
Washington in April and the N.E.C.C. Conference in San Antonio, Texas this
summer.
“Futurekids is proud to continue our second-year involvement 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 publishes an ongoing newsletter filled with tips and how-to
articles on technology integration in education as well as hardware and
software tips. Also available is 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 is
really 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
About Futurekids
Futurekids is the premier provider of technology teacher training solutions
for schools and universities around the world. Futurekids has a 22-year
record of success in technology education. Their core competency is
providing technology training as it relates to teaching and learning. They
have relationships and achievements with many key educational partners such
as Intel, IBM and Dell. For more information on Futurekids, please
visit http://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 to make people's lives more exciting, fulfilling, and easier to
manage. Intel provides the brainpower and expertise in creating 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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