January 14, 2010

SUMMARY OF GAZeL’S 5TH ANNUAL CEO BREAKFAST.

On the morning of Tuesday, January 12, 2010 the 5th annual CEO breakfast was held at the University Club in Phoenix, AZ. About 7:15-7:40 AM the invitees networked and exchanged greetings and business cards. Breakfast was served at 7:45.
Alex Devereux, GAZEL’s President made announcements of future events and presented certificates of appreciation to several members of the board and technology community for outstanding assistance they have given to GAZeL. Alex then introduced State Senator John Huppenthal, Chairman of the Senate Education Committee.

Senator Huppenthal gave a very enlightening talk concerning digital curriculum and hybrid learning that is happening and should be happening. He gave examples where this is already taking place in Arizona. The talk was very interesting and gave us all a better understanding of his knowledge of education in general and eLearning in particular.

Much to our delight Senator Huppenthal took this opportunity to announce his candidacy for Superintendent of public instruction.

Many people stayed to discuss education and enjoy the morning. Breakfast was delicious, the speech was interesting and we will look forward to future networking meetings.

eSN Special Report: Education 3.0
How some schools are taking 21st-century teaching and learning to the next level

When Hurricane Katrina ripped through Louisiana's Jefferson Parish in 2005, tornadoes took down some school buildings and floodwaters rushed through others--wrecking classrooms and making many facilities in the 85-school district uninhabitable.

Once it was safe to return to Jefferson Parish, school district officials got to work, pulling up soaked carpets, boarding up windows, and envisioning what kind of schools they wanted to see rise from all the wreckage.

What the administrators decided was to rebuild the schools not as they once were--traditional educational environments with very little technology overall--but as a place to empower learners to thrive in the 21st century: something California-based technology and networking company Cisco Systems calls "Education 3.0."

The concept focuses on creating schools where technology isn't just layered on top of traditional processes. Instead, technology is woven seamlessly through all aspects of education, from building security to lesson plans and student collaboration--interconnecting all facets of school life, and truly revolutionizing the education experience.

More at:

http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/special-reports/special-reports-articles/?i=60546

Next Generation Learning is a government campaign initiated by Becta to ensure the effective and innovative use of technology throughout learning and education. It is our ambition to utilise the benefits of technology to create a more exciting, rewarding and successful experience for learners of all ages and abilities, enabling them to achieve their potential. Only one in four schools are currently using technology to its full potential. Help us change that – get involved with Next Generation Learning.

This site contains lots of useful information about technologies used in the classroom, examples of how learners are using technology in their studies, and a range of materials to help you support Next Generation Learning with your child and at your school.

See a great video at: http://www.nextgenerationlearning.org.uk/