New school models that leverage technology provide a useful picture of the future. Last week, in a three-blog series, I profiled next generation school
models that leverage new opportunities,
incorporate experiential learning, and promote system redesign.
Through the Microsoft Innovative Schools program educators
“discover, share, and scale best practices, and develop assets to help students and educators reach their full potential.”
The innovation framework considers 21st Century Skills & Standards, Curriculum & the Learning Paradigm, Assessment, and Innovative Uses of ICT.
Microsoft helps school leaders develop and lead an innovation process that engages students and improves learning. The Innovative Schools Toolkit includes aself assessment, knowledge library, and a series of DIY workshops:
Workshop 1: Planning Engagements
Workshop 2: Creating a Shared Vision
Workshop 3: Exploring Possibilities
Workshop 4: Culture of Innovation
Workshop 5: Sharing Ideas
Workshop 6: Implementation
Workshop 7: Reviewing Progress
Workshop 8: Continuous Improvement
A series of 13 case studies from global schools were conducted by the University of Virginia.
They feature innovative teaching, learning and assessment strategies, and supportive learning environments. The following is a summary of three
Pennsylvania high school case studies.
Freedom Area Senior High School
is located south of Pittsburgh. The turnaround vision was powered by Classroom of the Future and Project 720, a school improvement project
from the state that helps high schools “build smaller learning communities, improve counseling services, build adolescent literacy programs, and raise
academic standards are critically important goals.”
Superintendent Ron Sofo built a budget to acquire, utilize, and maintain the technology infrastructure [ Watch Video] and build capacity for staff
development [Watch Video]. Teachers received
support to use technology in the core curriculum [ Watch Video]. Technology provides opportunities
to increase accountability, broaden learning options, and engage students in a more rigorous curriculum [ Watch Video].
Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School near Philadelphia
implemented “a diverse array of reforms, from boosting literacy to integrating technology to postsecondary preparation, and focusing on students reading
below grade level as well as those ‘in the middle’ who -- while they might graduate -- might do so without any real plan for the future” [ Watch Video]. Like Freedom, most of the reforms were
funded by Pennsylvania’s Project 720 grant program.
The case study says, “Because their social studies teachers were taking the lead with technology before the grant, administrators also chose a technology
coach with a background in that content area” [ Watch Video]. Tackling the literacy issue meant a blended
double block for most students [Watch Video].
South Fayette High School
is near Pittsburgh. The case study summarizes their strategy: “Implement sweeping changes in the curriculum, set high expectations for the use of
technology in every classroom, and put useful student data into the hands of teachers.”
Students participate in a pre-engineering style program that uses industry-standard software and hardware. The program offers choices based on student
interest and career expectations [Watch Video].
Partners in Learning.
The Innovative Schools network is part of Microsoft’s Partners in Learning program. Schools start the journey by
applying to become a Pathfinder school. They work with coaches and one of the 100 mentor schools located in 60 countries.
The network adds value to innovative schools and, as the toolkit illustrates, provides valuable resources to educators worldwide.