Thursday, October 13, 2011

MEDIA ADVISORY: 6th Graders Get Netbooks to Make Learning-on-the-Go a Reality

MEDIA ADVISORY from the San Diego Unified School District, Oct. 13, 2011


6th Graders Get Netbooks to Make Learning-on-the-Go a Reality

WHAT:  As part of the Federal Communications Commission Learning-on-the-Go program, San Diego Unified School District is launching one of the FCC’s largest digital broadband pilot grants in the nation. All 6th grade students at ten district middle schools are being issued netbooks with broadband access.

WHEN: Friday, Oct. 14, 2011
              10:00 a.m. Launch presentation and issuance of netbooks to 6th grade students
              10:15 a.m. Students logging on and exploring the capabilities of this new digital learning device

WHERE:  Dana Middle School, 1775 Chatsworth Blvd, San Diego (92106)

DETAILS:  The learning landscape is changing in schools throughout San Diego Unified School District. As part of the FCC’s Learning On-the-Go program, the district is launching a pilot that supports off-campus wireless Internet connectivity for mobile learning devices. Education doesn’t stop at the schoolyard gate or the library door. Digital textbooks and other innovative wireless devices allow students to learn in a real-world context, inside the classroom and beyond. Because of their low cost and accessibility, these mobile devices can also help advance digital equality.

Over the last three years the district has established a Mobile Learning Program to seamlessly integrate ubiquitous, one-to-one computing and other 21st century technology into all teaching and learning throughout the curriculum. The FCC Learning on the Go program will take the San Diego Unified program to the next level to meet the needs of today’s 21st century learners. These 6th graders were among the first group of district classrooms to benefit from Proposition S and the i21 Interactive classroom initiative that included a 1:1 computer to student learning environment in every one of our core curriculum classrooms.

Now, they will not only be able to take advantage of the i21 classroom experience but, as part of the Learning-on-the-Go (LOGO) program, be able to continue their learning at home using online digital resources. Students will be issued a Netbook for the school year that is equipped with filtered wireless internet access. Now students will be able to complete assignments online along with access to the district’s powerful digital instructional programs as well as filtered use of the Internet for research and in-depth study. This ability to connect outside the school day will provide access to online textbooks and cutting-edge interactive learning tools 24 hours a day.

PHOTOS/INTERVIEWS:
  • Students and officials speak to students about the significance of the LOGO program
  • Interviews with district officials, students, site administrators and teachers
  • Students will be issued their netbook computer for the first time
  • Students logging on and exploring their new digital tool
CONTACT: Darryl LaGace, Chief Information and Technology Officer , (619) 260-5474