Leah Hamilton, a program officer at Carnegie Corporation of New York, has been appointed as a member of the Digital Learning Council a group of more than 50 leaders from education, government, philanthropy, business, technology, and think tanks who will identify policies that will integrate current and future technological innovations into public education.
“Technology impacts nearly every part of our personal and professional lives,” said Leah Hamilton. “Yet most schools lag far behind organizations in other sectors when it comes to integrating technology as a tool for greater learning for all students. The Digital Learning Council has put together a set of policy recommendations that removes some of the barriers to gaining innovation at scale through the states and the country.”
On December 1, 2010, at the Excellence in Action National Summit on Education Reform 2010, the Digital Learning Council will outline a roadmap of the 10 Elements of High Quality Digital Learning for local, state, and federal officials to integrate digital learning in education. The Digital Learning Council is co-chaired by Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida and Bob Wise, former governor of West Virginia.
“Technology has the power to customize education for every student in America,” said Governor Jeb Bush. “Providing a customized, personalized education for students was a dream just a decade ago. Technology can turn that dream into reality today. The Digital Learning Council will develop the roadmap to achieve that ultimate goal.”
Technological innovations have already changed the way our nation works, shops and entertains itself. The Digital Learning Council will lead this national initiative to develop and transform education by moving digital learning to the forefront of education and away from the niche role it plays today. Today, more than 2 million students take courses online and 1.5 million home education students take online course but that barely scratches the surface of what is possible through technology.
“The members of the Digital Learning Council share a sense of extreme urgency about the need to bring digital learning to every school, every classroom and every child,” stated Governor Bob Wise. “We must not squander the opportunity to promote digital innovation to reform our nation’s schools and ensure that all students are prepared to confront the challenges in our economy and society with the tools and skills that digital technology offers.”
The Council will cover the many facets of digital learning including; online and virtual schools; personalized learning; blended learning; digital content; online and mobile social networks; classroom technology; ensuring equity, security and privacy; and promoting parental choice, among other topics.
The Digital Learning Council will report its ongoing discussions online and welcomes input and dialog. The Council’s final recommendations will be the focus of a nationwide campaign to urge adoption of the policy principles by states, track states’ progress and encourage best practices.
- Education
