The 3rd annual R.I. Department of Education (RIDE) Innovation Powered by Technology conference will take place on Saturday (October 25), from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Rhode Island Convention Center, 1 Sabin St., Providence.

The conference will include workshops, breakout sessions, panel discussions, demonstrations of student work, keynote addresses, and exhibits. Some of the leaders in digital learning, from Rhode Island schools and from across the country, will participate in this conference.

Registration is open to all. More than 700 people have registered so far, and we expect this year’s conference to be the biggest yet. RIDE invites the media to attend the conference, and we welcome any advance notice of this conference in the media.

Information about the conference is on the home page of the RIDE website, or the public can access the registration form directly at:

http://www.rsvpbook.com/event_page.php?id=587385&p=921

Conference partners include CDW-G, the Highlander Institute, Learning401, the Rhode Island Afterschool Plus Alliance, the Rhode Island Society of Technology Educators, Spartina Consulting, the United Way, and the University of Rhode Island School of Education, Harrington School of Communication and Media, and Media Education Lab.

Editorial note: Written from a press release.

The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) and The Learning Accelerator (TLA), a nonprofit organization supporting the implementation of high-quality blended learning, today announced an ambitious initiative to make Rhode Island the first fully “blended-learning state” in the nation. Blended learning is the combination of traditional, face-­to-­face teaching with elements of personalized, online, competency­-based education that leads to improved student engagement and achievement.

“Through our laws and regulations on digital learning, our Innovation Powered by Technology Model School grants, and our Wireless Classroom Initiative, Rhode Island demonstrates our state’s unwavering commitment when it comes to using technology to advance teaching and learning,” said Rhode Island Board of Education Chair Eva-Marie Mancuso. “We are very grateful that The Learning Accelerator has recognized our commitment and will work with us to take digital learning to the next level in our state.”

“This partnership with The Learning Accelerator recognizes and furthers our commitment to basing instruction on the needs of every individual student,” added Deborah Gist, Rhode Island Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education. “Digital learning in all of its forms provides, literally, unlimited educational resources for every classroom, allows our schools to design flexible instruction schedules, and enables students and teachers to work closely together at a pace that is right for each student. With these funds, we will continue our commitment to innovation powered by technology.”

The partnership will initially engage in two major initiatives:

• Development of a an integrated Five-Year Strategic Plan for Rhode Island that will position blended learning as an engine for system change, and
• Creation of a communications campaign intended to fully accelerate blended learning throughout the state.

“States and state actors create conditions—beyond policy— that are critical to high-quality blended schools and innovation,” said Lisa Duty, Partner at The Learning Accelerator. “Together we are pursuing system-level changes and identifying the resources and critical shifts necessary to lay the foundation for more personalized, blended learning.”

Both TLA and RIDE agree that pursuing a student-centered vision of learning and transformative outcomes, with explicit goals in mind, is key. States will need to wrestle with the problems they’re trying to solve, and get clearer about operationalizing the relationship between blended learning — still in development — and their desired outcomes.

Editorial note: Written from a press release.

The Rhode Island Adult Education Professional Development Center (PD Center) and Broadband Rhode Island (BBRI) today announced the launch of an agreement to develop and implement a plan for long-term sustainability of BBRI's Digital Literacy Project to improve adult Internet usage across the state, according to a RIDE press release.

As part of the federally funded initiative, BBRI created a digital literacy program for adults, including curriculum and instructor training and established a thriving network of over 200 volunteer and professional digital literacy trainers whose efforts target the state's disadvantaged populations. To date, these instructors delivered digital literacy training to almost 1,000 adults through libraries, public housing authorities, adult education organizations and senior centers.

“The question for us was how do we sustain and grow the BBRI Digital Literacy program beyond our current capacity,” said Stuart Freiman, Broadband Program Director, RI Office of Digital Excellence. Because the organizations' target populations overlap significantly, “With its focus on assisting educators who work with the state's adult learners, we established a productive working relationship with the PD Center. They are ideally suited to carry forward our important mission of expanding broadband awareness and adoption in order to improve Rhode Islanders' lives.”

The PD Center and BBRI have outlined plans for numerous activities throughout this year that are designed to strengthen the Digital Literacy Project and sustain its impact beyond the grant that was made available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). In the area of training, the PD Center and BBRI will work in partnership to develop a sustainable digital literacy trainer network, through adult education organizations and libraries that does not rely solely on volunteers.

The work plan for 2014 also includes development of a recognized standard for digital literacy outcomes, and establishment of criteria for evaluating adult learners' readiness to apply digital literacy skills to tasks such as participating in distance learning and completing essential life skills tasks online.

Jill Holloway, director of the PD Center at the West Bay Collaborative, will coordinate project planning and management under the initiative. Among the project's components, a technology expert will be brought on to upload and align BBRI's work and to train PD Center staff in managing and sustaining it. Said Holloway, “The BBRI staff have done an excellent job during their short tenure in laying the groundwork for this effort: from research and awareness campaigns, to the creation of excellent materials and resources, to the actual training of teachers and creating alliances with other programs and agencies in the state. The PD Center is more than pleased to enter this agreement and continue to address the deep digital divide that exists within our workforce and communities.”

BBRI's digital literacy training curriculum has become a key component in the effort to prepare Rhode Island learners to compete in a global digital economy. Earlier this year, the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) announced that the BBRI curriculum would be implemented statewide to support all adult education programs in Rhode Island.

About Broadband Rhode Island
Broadband Rhode Island, an initiative of the Office of Digital Excellence, R.I. Department of Administration, is funded through December 2014 by the State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program (SBBD) as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The initiative focuses on broadband infrastructure mapping and broadband planning in the State of Rhode Island. Programs address public awareness and education about broadband and study and develop plans to increase adoption rate and broadband usage across all aspects of our lives including in our homes, schools, businesses, libraries, healthcare facilities, public safety and government. To learn more about Broadband Rhode Island please visit broadband.ri.gov.

About RI Adult Education Professional Development Center
The RI Professional Development Center (PD Center) delivers high-quality, research-based professional development and technical assistance to Rhode Island's adult education programs and practitioners. Through its leadership and partnerships, the PD Center seeks to support, enhance and promote the network of quality educational opportunities for RI's adult learners. To learn more about the PD Center, please visit riaepdc.org.

Editorial note: Written from a press release.

Tiverton and Smithfield schools will be getting a wireless network upgrade from Envision Technology Advisors, according to a press release from the Pawtucket company.

The contracts are part of the Rhode Island Department of Education's (RIDE) Wireless Classroom Initiative. Aimed at expanding wireless access in Rhode Island schools over the next two years, these contracts represent just a few of those that will be awarded as part of this $20 million initiative.

"We are very excited to have been awarded these two contracts and we look forward to working with the schools in these districts," says Michael Ando, Envision's COO. "These districts are two of the first in Rhode Island to announce their vendors of choice and we are thrilled that they have chosen to partner with Envision. As more school districts award their contracts in the coming weeks, we hope to be able to announce additional schools that will be working with Envision for this important initiative."

The contract for Tiverton covers the 5 schools in that district, while the Smithfield school district will bring wireless to six schools.

"I live in Smithfield and my two kids attend school there," says Envision's Director of Marketing, Jeremy Girard. "Knowing that Envision's efforts and expertise will help improve access to technology for students in their school, as well as others throughout our state, is a very rewarding feeling."

"As a Rhode Island company, we are proud to be included in an initiative that will make such a significant impact on the quality of education, and access to technology, provided in our schools," remarked Envison's CEO, Todd Knapp, when the company was first named a Qualified Vendor for this initiative. With the awarding of these contracts, he reiterated those feelings and added, "Work like this, which is both meaningful and rewarding, is what we love here at Envision. We can't wait to get started."

In addition to the contracts for these two school districts, Envision was also awarded a similar contract to install wireless for the Rhode Island Department of Education's main office. A total of 4 floors in the organization's Providence office will be set up for wireless access.

Editorial note: Written from a press release.

In an e-mail this morning, Portsmouth High School principal Robert Littlefield formally announced the new "Bring Your Own Device" (BYOD) program which will enable students to use their own internet-enabled devices, starting in January.

To all Portsmouth High School families,

We are gearing up for rolling out a significant development at Portsmouth High School shortly after New Year’s Day in January 2014. Soon we will be opening up our school to a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) practice where students, teachers, and visitors will have Internet access through our own Wi-Fi on campus.

It seems like each week I become aware of a new learning opportunity being offered by teachers that is dependent on students having access to the Internet. We have invested a great deal of resources toward modern computer labs and laptop carts and our Information Technology department does a tremendous job maintaining our network, implementing software, and keeping our hardware up and running. Yet, there are times when a trip to the computer lab is not necessary if quick access to the Internet is available.

Opening Wi-Fi
Starting in January, students will be invited to bring smartphones, laptops, tablets, netbooks, etc. to school in order to employ the devices for educational purposes only. In addition to opening Wi-Fi, each student will have an account for storing assignments on “the cloud” for easy access and sharing.

If we had our wishes, we would be issuing computers to every student. However, that is not possible at this time. However, we feel students run the risk of losing out on learning opportunities by limiting access to the Internet to only those students sitting in computer labs. We hope to allow those students with devices to use them while at the same time offering the opportunity without devices to borrow them from the school.

Challenges
Obviously, this presents some challenges. We have a faculty committee working on guidelines for the proper use of devices while in school. For instance, students must only access the Internet through our properly filtered Wi-Fi and not through the 3G networks supplied by their telephone service.

More information and opportunities to purchase
Much more information is available on the Portsmouth School District website, including offers by vendors for purchasing devices at an educational discount. I invite all parents to explore these opportunities.

PSD BYOD page

This is an exciting time for our school. I will continue to keep you posted on developments as the roll-out date approaches.

As always, if you have questions or comments please do not hesitate to reply to this email.

Robert Littlefield
Principal

Editorial note: Written from a PHS e-mail.

Portsmouth School committee represents at the RIDE tech conference (l-r) Tom Vadney, Dave Croston, Fred Faerber, Terri Cortvriend.

More than 600 educators from Rhode Island and beyond gathered in Providence today for the RI Dept. of Education 2013 Technology Conference. In just a year since the inaugural event, the conference has doubled in size and adopted a multi-track format spread across function rooms at the Rhode Island Convention Center.

RIDE Commissioner Deborah Gist kicked off the event, followed by a day of plenary sessions, breakouts, and demos by both students and vendors.

In the spirit of digital disintermediation, rather than describe the event, you can take a look at some photos up on Flickr, watch an exclusive harddeadlines interview with keynote speaker and iSchool CEO Travis Allen on YouTube, and read the voluminous and detailed tweets by attendees who used the hashtag #RIDEpowered2013.

Tweets about "#RIDEpowered2013"

This Saturday, May 19, the Highlander Institute is sponsoring an educational technology conference on "blended learning," and if you're thinking of attending, read on for a discount code.

The conference web site offers a look at the sessions, and has details on the hands-on area and the sponsor displays.

Teachers (and edtech fans) can register for the event through this web site, and if you use promo code BLTtech, it's $10 off.

Read previous coverage here.

Editorial note: Written substantially from a press release.

Gov. Chafee and RI Dept. of Education (RIDE) Commissioner Deborah Gist paid a surprise visit to Pleasant View Elementary in Providence this morning to announce that the school had won the RI Innovation Powered by Technology model school grant, according a release from RIDE. The $470,000 grant will finance a plan that that Pleasant View educators developed to redesign the school and transform its instructional practices through the use of technology.

“To prepare our students for success in the global economy, we must encourage innovations and we must invest in technology that can advance learning and achievement,” said Governor Chafee. “We are pleased to provide this support for the students and educators at the Pleasant View Elementary School, and we hope to move forward with the technology bond I have proposed that will bring broadband wireless access to every classroom in Rhode Island.”

“I am committed to improving public education across Providence and equipping our students with the necessary skills to compete.” said Mayor Angel Taveras. “Through this grant, I am confident that Pleasant View will set a model for other schools across the city to improve technology access and resources for all students.”

“Today, we are taking a significant step that will bring the Pleasant View Elementary School and other schools across our state to the forefront of virtual learning,” said Commissioner Gist. “Our students, teachers, and families already use digital technology in every facet of their lives – and it is time we bring digital learning into our schools in a bold and dramatic way.”

“We are so thrilled for Pleasant View Elementary,” said Dr. Susan Lusi, Superintendent of Providence Schools. “Dr. Field and her team have put enormous efforts into creating a vision for the future of the school, and this funding gives them the traction and the resources to begin immediately executing that vision to improve student achievement and make Pleasant View a top-notch place for teaching and learning.”

With this grant, Pleasant View Elementary School will:

• implement an extended daily schedule for targeted, small-group learning;
• increase student-centered instruction and instructional time;
• allow students to spend at least half their school day with online learning;
• make content come alive with integrated multimedia experiences through technology;
• allow students to proceed with learning at their own pace;
• adopt flexible schedules for instructional time; and
• redefine “classrooms” as “flexible learning environments."

Pleasant View will use these funds for extensive professional development for teachers as well as to purchase equipment – creating three computer labs and purchasing 110 laptops for student use.

In January, RIDE announced a grant of up to $470,000 over two years to support the redesign of a school that will use technology to transform education and encouraged all school districts, state-operated schools, and charter public schools to apply for this Innovation Powered by Technology Model School Grant.

RIDE asked applicants to propose a school site at which they would create a technology-rich learning environment that would fundamentally rethink and restructure teaching and learning through such initiatives as digital curriculum, gaming, one-to-one computing, virtual-learning environments, expanded learning opportunities, and flexible scheduling.

As the recipient of the grant, Pleasant View will become a pilot program to help launch a statewide initiative in innovations powered by technology. Pleasant View will launch implementation during the coming school year (2012-13) and refine the process during the 2013-14 school year.

RIDE awarded the grant through a competitive-bid process, based in part on student need. A team from RIDE and a team of outside experts reviewed 12 grant applications as part of the award process.

Editorial note: Written from a press release.

Full disclosure: Sigh. Only 12 applications? It's a cliche, but you miss 100% of the shots you don't take. I understand that Portsmouth was not able to mount a grant application in this timeframe, but I wish the school committee pushed more on innovation rather than their laser-like focus on cost containment. I mean, really, what's more important for our kids — technology-enabled classrooms or outsourcing custodial staff?

Rhode Island educators will have an opportunity to learn about best practices in technology integration at a day-long conference on May 19, sponsored by the Higlander Institute in Providence. The theme, organizers say, will be "blended learning," the term of art in educational tech for the ideal mix of online and face-to-face instruction.

“Integrating technology with tried-and-true classroom instruction is not always intuitive or easy, but when it is done well it helps the teacher understand a student’s abilities at a whole new level," Shawn Rubin, director of technology integration at the Highlander Institute, said in a release.

On Wednesday, RIDE sent an e-mail to participants in February's Tech Innovation conference, calling the event an "opportunity to further explore and understand blended learning."

The conference web site offers a look at the sessions, which will include include Jennie Dougherty from edUPGRADE, a nonprofit that brings beta technology to teachers in exchange for feedback; Melissa Pickering, recent manager of Tufts Center for Engineering Education and Outreach, and founder of iCreate to Educate; and Mohit Midha, cofounder and COO of Mangahigh, a test prep math teaching resource.

There will also be a hands-on area where teachers can “tinker, test and explore” applications and software on iPads, SMARTboards, and Android tablets, and sponsor displays from Broadband RI, Educreations, Engrade, K12, Learn Zillion, Lesson Writer, and Metryx.

Teachers can register for the event through the web site, and there is a $40 early-bird rate through May 7 (after that, rates go up to $60).

The conference was organized by the Highlander Institute, a nonprofit which designs and provides research-based, high quality educational services and professional development opportunities to educators.

Said Rubin, “At Highlander, we understand the integration of technology for some educators and schools will be a gradual process. But the trend is moving quickly. This conference offers a comfortable environment to learn about these tools, and jumpstart the process.”

Editorial note: Written substantially from a press release.

The Portsmouth School Committee last night chose five community members for its technology subcommittee, according to meeting highlights posted on the district web site.

The new members of the subcommittee, which will advise the district on technology issues, are Brenda Langlais, Linnea Wolf, Robert Hewett, and Jeff Swider, with auxiliary member Roy Huck.

According to the posted highlights, "The School Committee has reopened applications for the Technology Subcommittee, as additional members are needed. Applications should be sent to Patti Cofield, cofieldp@portsmouthschoolsri.org by March 13."

The School Committee has assembled a well-credentialed panel, and I wish them them all the best as they help guide our schools through this important transitional period.

Full disclosure: I submitted the required materials to be considered for this subcommittee in December.