June 2009 Electronic School eZine

Additional Resources

Teens, Video Games, and Civics Report, Pew Internet & American Life Project
Games and Mobile Devices - We know many of today’s students are active gamers, but this survey is the first nationally representative effort to look at the connection between teen video game gaming and civic engagement. The survey examines which teens are playing games, the games and equipment they are using, the social context of their play, and the role of parents and parental monitoring.

Best Practices for Using Games & Simulations in the Classroom: Guidelines for K–12 Educators, Education Division of the Software & Information Industry Association
Games and Mobile Devices - If you’re trying to get started using games in a classroom setting, this will be a helpful document. It provides an explanation of terms and presents current research across a variety of game types including video games, console games ,and virtual worlds used in the classroom.

National Education Technology Standards, ISTE
Understanding and Preparing Today’s Students - Hard to believe, but it’s been 10 years since the first National Education Technology Standards were developed and over the past two years, the International Society of Technology in Education has released updated versions of the NETS for Students and Teachers. The Technology Standards for School Administrators will be released in late June to complete this series of updates. Check for the NEW standards at http://www.iste.org at the end of June.

Speak Up Survey, Project Tomorrow
Understanding and Preparing Today’s Students - The annual Speak Up Survey conducted by Project Tomorrow provides a great snapshot of student opinions on the use of technology in education, along with the views of their parents, teachers, and administrators. Although this is a national summary of the 2008 findings, consider getting your district or school involved for the 2009 project and receive your own personalized results. The 2009 data collection will start this fall.

2009 Education Vital Signs, ASBJ Supplement
Facts and Figures - From overviews on the state of student achievement to work force readiness, not to mention great regional comparisons and nitty-gritty education facts and figures, American School Board Journal’s annual compilation is the perfect resource when you’re scrambling to find just the right figure on today’s major education issues.

Focus on Technology Integration in America’s Schools, State Education Technology Directors Association
Facts and Figures - This recent release from SETDA documents important trends, such as positive academic results with the effective integration of technology, and provides an excellent profile of how federal technology funds have been invested on a state-by-state basis.

Harnessing Innovation to Support Student Success - Using Technology to Personalize Education, U.S. Department of Education
Facts and Figures - Through a series of roundtable discussions with various stakeholder groups, former US Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings identified how technology supports the five key areas addressed in this report. They include Online Learning and Virtual Schools; Transforming Data Into Knowledge and Action; Broadband Connectivity; Research Efficacy and Impact; and School Leadership and Professional Preparation.

Pockets of Potential, Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop
Games and Mobile Devices - With more than half the world’s population owning a cell phone, this report explores how mobile devices can be used to tap into the power of digital media to support learning. Twenty-five innovative projects are highlighted from around the world.

The Global Information Technology Report 2008-2009, World Economic Forum
Facts and Figures - If you’re searching for current information about international ICT comparisons, this may just be the report for you. In these troubled economic times, this report, which covers 134 national economies, makes a clear case for the role of ICT as a catalyst for growth.

2009 Horizon Report: The K12 Edition, New Media Consortium and CoSN
Trends in a Connected World - Get a glimpse of the emerging technologies that will impact K-12 education in this first-ever Horizons report. From cloud computing to the personal Web, these trends are worth considering as you draft technology plans that extend over the next five years.

Adults and Social Network Websites, Pew Internet & American Life Project
Trends in a Connected World - Students aren’t the only ones active in the online world. The share of adult Internet users who have a profile on an online social network site has more than quadrupled in the past four years -- from 8 percent in 2005 to 35 percent now, according to the Pew Internet & American Life Project's December 2008 tracking survey. Perhaps it’s time to consider what kind of interactive opportunities your district is creating for the staff and community members.

Home Technology Report, Nielson
Trends in a Connected World - This study cites current Internet penetration and documents the widening digital divide in the homes of Hispanic and African-American children where the head of household did not complete high school. Regional Internet access is examined as well as comparisons between urban and rural areas.

Technology Counts: Breaking Away From Tradition: E-Education Expands Opportunities for Raising Achievement, Education Week
Facts and Figures - This annual report provides in-depth state comparisons and thoughtful narratives on how e-learning is transforming classrooms and professional development through the rapidly expanding number of digital resources.