Futurekids Expands Professional Development Role in Second Year of Pennsylvania’s ‘Classrooms for the Future’ Technology Initiative
Futurekids announced today that
it is expanding its innovative professional development program to more
schools in the second year of the “Classrooms for the Future” technology
initiative in the state of Pennsylvania.
The Classrooms for the
Future initiative, believed to be the largest program of technology
integration ever undertaken by a state, allocates $200 million in funding
over a three-year period for laptop computers, software, printers,
interactive electronic whiteboards, professional development, technology
infrastructure, support and high-speed Internet access. Futurekids was
tapped to provide some professional development services for the
initiative.
“We’re seeing tremendous, positive changes in the way
our teachers are using technology and in the way students are responding,”
Ms. Holly Jobe, Project Manager for the Classrooms for the Future
commented. “Teachers are more enthused, students are more engaged and
learning has become more collaborative and dynamic.”
Under the
program, public school districts that are selected for the program can
choose how they administer the initiative. Some schools use their funds
for certain upper grade students, while other schools integrate the
technology in certain classes, such as English or Science. However, the
cornerstone for success in every implementation is allocating funds for
Professional Development.
“The professional development aspect of
the initiative is key,” commented Ms. Jobe. “You can’t just plug in
computers and walk away.”
Currently, the program offers
professional development on three fronts: out-of-the-box training on how
to use the computers and software; a train-the- trainer model; and online
courses for teachers.
Ms. Dzana Homan, President and C.E.O. of
Futurekids, Inc., is a Project Manager on the initiative. “Having the
professional development component is absolutely critical,” she said. “The
21st century learning environment means that students must learn how to do
more, and technology provides that edge. Teachers who infuse technology
into their classroom learning style are more engaging, foster greater
student independence and become a facilitator instead of a lecturer.”
Ms. Homan’s company provides technology integration and
professional development throughout the United States and in 65 countries
worldwide.
The Classrooms for the Future has attracted strong
attention throughout the national educational community.
The
Classrooms for the Future initiative brings together some of the best
technology companies in America, including CDW-G, Lenovo, Adobe,
Futurekids, Promethean, Polyvision and Apple Computer.
About Classrooms for the Future
Classrooms
for the Future is one of several innovative educational initiatives funded
in the 2007-08 budget recently signed into law by Governor Edward Rendell.
For more information on these efforts, please visit http://www.pde.state.pa.us/.
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/.
 |
