21st Century Learning Director's Message
Dr. Brigitte Garth-Young
Launch the media gallery 1 playerGreetings Dolton School District 149 Family,
WELCOME BACK to a thrilling 2022-2023 school year! As the 21st Century Learning Director, I am charged with implementing the School Board’s technological vision. This will be accomplished through transformational digital learning—the globalization and integration of technology in the classroom. This concept has had a great impression on how our students acquire knowledge and demonstrate their skills. Effective global collaborators transcend time and space to connect, learn and create. The ‘flat’ or connected classroom is one that connects and engages with multiple audiences, resources and tools to create authentic, collaborative learning outcomes. (Lindsay & Davis, 2012, p. 4)
Global Collaboration/Technology Integration:
- Is imperative for 21st Century learning.
- Is one of the major reasons for using mobile and universal digital technologies.
- Does support global awareness and competence and intercultural understanding.
- Will change the world – it already has for the many teachers and students who have taken the opportunity to connect and collaborate.
This new educational norm is how we usher in a new way of teaching and learning. The dynamics of transformative digital learning redefines education, which directly impacts instructional delivery, instructional equity, and learning readiness. Therefore, as we prepare students for their academic and professional futures, we’ll strive to ensure that they are connected to learning environments that can make global collaboration a reality. Transformative digital learning will allow our students to be able to have classroom instruction at any time and any place.
The board’s forward-thinking mindset has evolved our district tremendously, regarding technological innovations which include:
- Full 1:1 Chromebook Deployments (with accessories)
- Hot Spot Availability
- Email for All Students
- Google Classroom
- Zoom
- Microsoft Teams
- Class Dojo
- Other Learning Management Platforms
- Swivl Camera Deployments
- Upgraded Robust Wireless Network
- UV Charging/Cleaning Carts for Chromebook Sanitation
Integrating technology into the curriculum continues to be a priority for our school district. We believe in excellence, humanization, and pride as it relates to the development of all children to their fullest potential! It is our mission to equip our students with skill-sets that include digital, media, and informational literacy to evaluate content and use technology effectively in the 21st Century— “We’re Leveling Up”!
From the Innovation Team (IT) to all of our stakeholders, we look forward to a marvelous school year!
Sincerely,
Dr. Brigitte Garth-Young
21st Century Learning Director