Two thousand youth in 60 schools and community centers across the nation are opening up their classrooms on Wednesday to demonstrate the power of digital teaching and learning the Globaloria Way on the first-ever Digital Learning Day.
Schools participating in Randolph County are Tygarts Valley, Elkins High, Randolph Technical Center and Elkins Middle.
As part of Digital Learning Day, World Wide Workshop is partnering with the Alliance for Excellent Education to celebrate innovative teaching practices that make learning more engaging for students. World Wide Workshop's Globaloria program is the first and largest social learning network for developing digital literacy; science, technology, engineering and math knowledge; and global citizenship skills through game design.
Parents, friends and community members are invited to attend a Globaloria class and experience an innovative, hands-on "game-design studio." Students are developing original STEM games; collaborating with peers and their teacher; using a digital curriculum; and accessing peer and expert support through an online network.
In conjunction with Digital Learning Day, World Wide Workshop announced the second National Globaloria Educator Inspiration Awards. Three educators - one new educator, one returning educator and one mentor - will be selected for leading an outstanding Globaloria integration in their classroom during the 2011-2012 academic year and exemplifying the power of innovative digital learning to advance education.
In October 2011, former Govs. Jeb Bush and Bob Wise, co-chairs of Digital Learning Now!, released the Roadmap for Reform: Digital Learning, to provide governors, lawmakers and policymakers with nuts-and-bolts policies to transition into a student-centered education for college and career readiness and success.
"This (Wednesday) will challenge education professionals and policymakers at all levels to start a conversation, make a proclamation or create a plan," said Wise, president of the Alliance for Excellent Education. "Digital Learning Day is more than just a day, it is about building a digital learning movement that provides teachers with better tools to truly provide a quality education for every child. Simply layering on technology alone will not move the education needle very much. Effective technology combined with great teachers and engaged students have the potential to transform the world of learning."
