Innovative Teachers Use Technology for Reading, Writing and 'Rithmetic

by Lisa Ray · 2010-03-28 11:43:00 UTC
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In Minnesota, a suburban school district is experimenting with social media in teaching first through third graders.

Too young? Hardly.

"[Students spend] a lot of their own time creating content, reading and writing. Last time I checked, those are things we really wanted kids to do," says Ann Flynn, director of education technology for the National School Boards Association (NSBA).

The NSBA has long supported the integration of technology and teaching and has urged school leaders to consider using social networking tools in the classroom.

The NSBA's Technology Programs Department is in the midst of visiting the best and the brightest school districts that have developed innovative programming for their students and staff. The tour includes Fayetteville Public Schools (Fayetteville, Arkansas ), Eastern Townships School Board (Magog, Quebec), Avoca School District 37 (Wilmette, Illinois) and Jefferson County Public Schools (Golden, Colorado).

While it's still not common, teachers are using social media for their youngest students. They’re using private networking to connect with students across the ocean to learn about other cultures. They are helping students read critically by teaching them to podcast. And Minnesota's Minnetonka school district is using social media skills to teach math to first, second and third graders.

Even the Washington Post recognizes that traditional K-12 education isn't working. Let's look to the technology successes in the classroom.

Photo credit: Marcin Wichary

Lisa Ray is the founder of Parents for Ethical Marketing. She also blogs at CorporateBabysitter.org.
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