20 to Watch 2009: NSBA Technology Learning Network

The National School Board’s Association Technology Learning Network announced their “20 to Watch” for 2009. I’ve profiled several of these districts through various projects and am pleased to see innovation recognized. Jump to see the list:

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Online Communities and New School Architecture

I attended a workshop at the American Architecture Foundation on Great Schools by Design to talk about how to design learning spaces for schools in Los Angeles and New York City. Listening to architects and school leaders talk about the actual shape and functionality of classrooms and school spaces, I realized that the architecture of the virtual learning space is as important as the physical space.

These students created a centralized web site for their school and recently won a Digital Open award, a tech expo for teens.

What’s in Your Head Matters More than What’s in Your Backpack

When we talk about school quality and achievement, we tend to get caught up in funding, teachers, textbooks, and test scores. But what do you really need to learn? An open mind? A quiet opportunity for reflection? The discipline to keep trying? Enough curiosity to ask a question?

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India’s Human Capital and Educational Technology

If you think the U.S. has a drop out problem, India has the world’s largest population of children and 53% of children who start school drop out by 8th grade. The government plans to double annual education expenditures and remake the nation’s schools. A panel led by Dilip Thakore, Publisher and Editor, Education World, at the Milken Institute discussed India’s Human Capital: Educating the World’s Largest Population of Children, the opportunities to reform India’s education system both in terms of curricula and investment opportunities.

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More Ways to Write

At the LA Times Festival of Books, I met Michael Mariani if livescribe, and tried the Pulse Smartpen, the ultimate recording device for learners. As you write notes in a special notebook, the pen records the audio in the room. Later, when you trying to make notes of those scribbles that made so much sense during your lecture, simply tap the page and the recording plays the audio from that moment. You can transfer the notes to your computer, search your handwritten notes, and share them as flash or pdf files. Like the iPhone, the pen has an open API, allowing developers to design programs for capturing rhythms, playing music, and who knows what else.

I’m buying one for my niece today to see what happens at school in the Fall!