Friday, August 31, 2007

New State Funds for NASD

On Thursday, Governor Rendell released a press announcement (read the full release here) regarding 'Classrooms for the Future' Schools.

The announcement noted:
"Classrooms for the Future is helping our high school students engage in learning on a new level," Governor Rendell said. "The new technology will nurture students' minds and feed their appetite for learning and it will prepare them to use equipment and machines that are commonplace in colleges and universities, corporate offices, production plants and just about anywhere they will go after graduating.

"By using technology as a learning tool, we are ensuring Pennsylvania's workforce will remain relevant and competitive in the global economy."
Nazareth will receive funds for the first time this year in the amount of $329,560.

Somewhat challenging is the fact that many new technologies used in corporate and college settings that the Governor references are moving toward if not already at the point of collaboration and knowledge/information share. In the secondary education arena the concern that students will use these tools to cheat or gain an unfair advantage over peers has resulted, in Nazareth, in a revision of the schools' electronic device policy (read about it here). In short collaboration through electronic devices, including any communication, is banned.

While academic integrity needs to be upheld, to fully utilize new technology students must learn how to collaborate electronically. It would seem there is a middle ground somewhere, the question is where and how to get to it.

What do you think?

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