Students win when teachers adopt high-tech skills

Huntsville, Cullman and Mobile schools make the case for Internet tools

GARDENDALE – School teachers shared with their colleagues ways to use technology to engage students and enrich the learning experience during the Alabama Best Practices Center's 21st Century Learning Showcase.

Web 2.0 tools – such as wikis, podcasts and blogs – have improved instruction, teachers said.

"Our goal is to help schools explore the future of teaching and learning, so that Alabama's students will be fully prepared to succeed in the digital age," said Cathy Gassenheimer, president of the Alabama Best Practices Center. "These teachers have done amazing things because they are determined their children will be ready, no matter what."

Teachers from 67 public schools across the state gathered for the event held at Gardendale's First Baptist Church. The showcase is part of the Powerful Conversations Network, a program of ongoing professional development for teachers.

Teams of educators from three schools were chosen for their outstanding work in the arena of 21st Century Learning:

• George Hall Elementary School in Mobile uses digital cameras and online tools to help students retell educational field trips. The project (www.georgehall.wetpaint.com) boosts vocabularies and communication skills.
• Teachers at Challenger Middle School in Huntsville created a professional development wiki to help the school's faculty learn to use technology for instruction.
• Cullman Middle School students are co-writing online books in different genres of literature at www.cullmancollaborativebooks.wikispaces.com.

Most Alabama teachers said they needed extra help – in the form of professional development and other supports – to successfully integrate technology in their teaching, according to "Technology in Alabama Public Schools" from the Alabama State Department of Education.

The concept of 21st Century Learning, as advanced by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills (www.21stcenturyskills.org), adds things like communication skills, critical thinking and ability to work with others to the list of basic skills.

Other schools that have taken part in the Alabama Best Practices Center's 21st Century Learning Project shared their progress during the Learning Fair. Visit http://del.icio.us/abpcjohn to see more products from these schools.

Complete list of Learning Fair schools

• Athens Middle School, Athens City Schools
• Buckhorn High School, Madison County Schools
• Calcedeaver Elementary School, Mobile County Schools
• Cedar Ridge Middle School, Decatur City Schools
• Central Park Elementary School, Birmingham City Schools
• Challenger Middle School, Huntsville City Schools
• Chestnut Grove Elementary School, Decatur City Schools
• Cullman Middle School, Cullman City Schools
• Dean Road Elementary School, Auburn City Schools
• Fayetteville High School, Talladega County Schools
• George Hall Elementary School, Mobile County Schools
• Hewitt-Trussville Middle School, Trussville City Schools
• Hillcrest High School, Tuscaloosa City Schools
• Liberty Park Elementary School, Vestavia Hills City Schools
• Mountain Brook High School, Mountain Brook City Schools
• Northridge High School, Tuscaloosa City Schools
• Oak Mountain High School, Shelby County Schools
• Ogletree Elementary School, Auburn City Schools
• Terry Heights Elementary School, Huntsville City Schools
• Vestavia Hills East Elementary School, Vestavia Hills Schools
• West Blocton Elementary School, Bibb County Schools
• West Jasper Elementary School, Jasper City Schools
• Winterboro School, Talladega County Schools
• Wrights Mill Road Elementary School, Auburn City Schools

The Alabama Best Practices Center receives major support from Microsoft Corp. and the Wachovia Foundation.

The A+ Education Partnership, home of the Alabama Best Practices Center, has been working since 1991 to advance policies, programs and initiatives that result in high achievement by every child in Alabama's K-12 education system.

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