An interesting combination of stories caught my attention last week regarding school district building initiatives, all of which had an eye on the integration of technology. First the big one: Miami’s $1.2 billion, with a b, investment: "Gone are narrow hallways, dim cafeterias and boxy classrooms with precise rows of desks. In their place: glass walls, open spaces, interactive whiteboards and — it should go without saying — free Wi-Fi. These are 21st Century campuses that reflect a new way of thinking about education." Then there is Bismarck, ND, school district receiving $57 million in public funds for new construction that Superintendent Tamara Uselman says will accommodate the newest tech. And then there is Maui (HI) Waena Intermediate School’s new bulding, which has been 12 years in the making: "Seventh-graders Samantha Della and Gwen Jaramillo were helping Suzuki move into her new classroom Saturday afternoon and are excited to use new equipment that has been in storage. A 3-D printer and 20 new computers have been locked up due to the lack of space." —Kevin Hogan, Content Director
