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Contact: Dr. Mike Burke Contact: |
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Media Release |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Edina middle-school students to pilot one-to-one wireless laptop program Edina, Minn., June 22, 2009 – Today’s students live in a digital world. They communicate with friends instantaneously through text messages, Facebook and Twitter. Since birth, they’ve had access to the Internet’s wealth of information. Edina Public Schools (EPS) intends to hone the skills of the 21st century learner through a one-to-one pilot program. Technology will be the driving force of this pilot, which provides a personal laptop to a sample population of middle-school students. Students who participate will have access to online curriculum, educational software and online resources. EPS’s one-to-one program is a two-year pilot that begins this August with one eighth-grade team at South View Middle School. In August 2010, the program will expand to an eighth-grade team at Valley View Middle School. Participation is determined by class schedule and assigned team. As part of the pilot, the District will also provide Internet safety workshops for parents and students. EPS’s Technology Advisory Team has been studying one-to-one laptop initiatives nationwide for the last four years. The laptop program is a paradigm shift in the delivery of instruction -- it is an intentional move from teacher-centered to student-centered instruction. Training teachers is a critical component to a successful transition. Teachers are developing lessons to teach students how to effectively utilize and evaluate online resources for educational purposes. In the spring of 2011, the District will evaluate the overall impact of the program and decide whether to expand the initiative to the high-school level. The hope is that the program will enhance personalized learning, expand learning opportunities beyond school walls, and develop in students the 21st century skills needed to compete in a global society. A detailed FAQ is available here. About Edina Public Schools: Edina Public Schools is comprised of six elementary schools (K-5), two middle schools (6-9) and one senior high (10-12). Total enrollment is approximately 7,800 students. The District serves Edina, a first-tier Minneapolis suburb comprised of approximately 47,450 people. ###  |
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