The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) today released the second monograph from its 2011 Compendium, titled “The Big Shift: Curriculum and Technology Leaders Advancing Digital Learning.” The monograph provides districts with strategies on how to strengthen the collaboration between K-12 curriculum and technology leaders in the use of digital learning resources and technology infrastructure.
“The advancement of digital technologies has dramatically changed the way students gather, learn and absorb information, as well as the way teachers teach,” said Bailey Mitchell, CoSN Chair and Chief Technology and Information Officer of Forsyth County Schools in Georgia. “Some of the nation’s leading, most innovative educators and school districts have embraced this technology revolution, understanding the role technology can play in transforming education, while others have been reluctant. One of the greatest barriers to the use of digital technologies in schools is the lack of a common vision between curriculum and technology leaders. This report provides insight on how to close that gap.”
Barriers preventing strategic collaboration between K-12 curriculum and technology leaders range from the fast day-to-day pace at which district leaders work to a lack of district vision centralizing each department’s work on student success, among others. The monograph notes that curriculum and technology leaders can develop common ground and build more cohesive, engaging and effective educational environments that leverage digital technologies through such approaches as:
- "Flipping the classroom,” for example, through digital video lessons, peer learning and guided practice
- Developing a collaborative connection between learning management systems and Common Core State Standards
- Representing information in graphic and non-linguistic ways
- Leveraging social media and other collaborative Web 2.0 platforms.
“This monograph is designed to help chief technology officers and other administrators synchronize their efforts in the digital age,” said CoSN CEO Keith Krueger. “By creating a shared vision, districts will be able to better reimagine the teaching and learning environment and help to maximize student achievement.”
Available to current CoSN members as a PDF download in MyCoSN, the monograph also provides additional recommended reading for curriculum and technology leaders.
