Launch of New CoSN & Pearson Foundation PSA - Learning
to Change/Changing to Learn: Student Voices
Washington, DC (February 25, 2009) - The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) today re-launched its Web site, http://www.cosn.org, with a revamped structure and new tools and features. The site was redesigned in an effort to maximize interactivity, accessibility and value for school district technology leaders and others interested in learning more about the association's initiatives and advocacy efforts.
"Every day we learn more about how different educational technologies help to transform teaching and learning, and our goal was to revamp the site in ways that make it most relevant and current for our members," said CoSN CEO Keith Krueger. "We also wanted to take elements of the interactivity that takes place in the Web 2.0 world and incorporate tools on the site that act as platforms for discussion, the exchange of ideas, information and resources, and spur innovative thinking and action."
The CoSN Web site features new interactive online forums, including the K-12 Open Technologies Forum and the CoSN Horizons Emerging Technologies Forum. The latter will launch on March 4th and focus on the soon to be released, first-ever Horizons K-12 Report, which identifies emerging technologies that will significantly impact K-12 teaching and learning. This online forum, as with others, will be a platform for interactive discussion on critical issues in education technology.
Another addition to the site is a new public service announcement (PSA) developed by CoSN and the Pearson Foundation, titled Learning to Change/Changing to Learn: Student Voices. The video PSA features students sharing their thoughts on how technology is a part of and impacts their daily lives. From video production equipment to laptops and cell phones, students discuss the power of technology. The PSA is the second in a series of PSAs themed "Learning to Change/Changing to Learn," and can be found on both the homepage of the CoSN site and at www.pearsonfoundation.org.
The CoSN Web site allows content such as news, publications, and events to be seamlessly integrated, and publications are indexed and can easily be searched by users. In addition, the site includes a streamlined navigation menu with easy-to-access categories - Initiatives, Communities, Advocacy, Events, Membership and Resources. Under Initiatives, site visitors will find a comprehensive list of all of CoSN's efforts organized alphabetically and with corresponding logos. The Broadband, IT Crisis Preparedness, and Green Computing initiatives have RSS news feeds to which members can subscribe.
The Advocacy section outlines the association's legislative goals and priorities, links to the joint CoSN/ISTE Ed Tech Action Network, as well as summarizes advocacy accomplishments. The Communities tab features links to CoSN's key projects and constituencies, including CoSN blogs, the CoSN CTO Council, the international community, social networks and state chapters, among others. The Resources page includes links to CoSN's Resource Library and all of its education technology materials, from its annual compendium to reports and surveys.
For all of these tools and more, visit www.cosn.org.
About the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN)
CoSN is the country's premier voice in education technology leadership, serving K-12 technology leaders who through their strategic use of technology, improve teaching and learning. CoSN provides products and services to support and nurture leadership development, advocacy, coalition building, and awareness of emerging technologies.
CoSN leadership initiatives include: Cyber Security for the Digital District (www.securedistrict.org); Data-Driven Decision-Making (www.3d2know.org), K-12 Open Technologies (www.k12opentech.org); Empowering the 21st Century Superintendent (www.superintendentempower.org/index.html); Green Computing Leadership Initiative (www.cosn.org/greencomputing); IT Crisis Preparedness Initiative (www.cosn.org/ITCrisisPrep); Small District Technology Leadership (www.cosn.org/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page); Taking Total Cost of Ownership to the Classroom (www.classroomtco.org);and Value of Investment (www.edtechvoi.org); and Web 2.0 Policy and Leadership (http://www.cosn.org/web2_0/).
CoSN's membership includes a unique blend of education and technology leaders, policy makers, and influencers from the public and private sectors. Our audience includes key technology leaders (often called Chief Technology Officers--CTOs) in leading-edge states and districts, policy makers, private sector leaders, as well as those technology leaders who wish to accelerate their districts' or states' systemic technology use. Visit www.cosn.org or phone 866.267.8747 to find out more about CoSN's programs and activities supporting leadership development to ensure that information technology has a direct and positive impact on student learning in elementary and secondary schools.
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