The Rhode Island Department of Education has selected CDW-G to provide technology solutions to schools across the state.
Starting this fall, Rhode Island schools will be able to select a comprehensive technology package for students and teachers that includes Lenovo laptops, software from Microsoft and Dyknow, wireless access and professional development. Schools will be able to select additional classroom technology tools from CDW-G's full catalog.
Rhode Island's classroom technology initiative mirrors technology integration efforts across the country. According to a recent report, Learn Now, Lecture Later, students and teachers are using more technology - including laptops, digital content and even smartphones - to teach and learn today than they were two years ago, and both students and teachers are asking to use technology even more often in class.
"As we continue to explore opportunities to transform education in Rhode Island through the use of technology, we are committed to providing students and teachers with the tools and resources they need to use technology effectively in the classroom," said David V. Abbott, deputy commissioner of elementary and secondary education, State of Rhode Island. "We are pleased to have signed an agreement with CDW-G, which will provide Rhode Island schools with an all-inclusive technology package at a competitive price. We look forward to helping innovation through technology take shape in schools and classrooms across the state."
The technology package includes professional development from Educational Collaborators, Intel Teach, KeyStone Learning, Edmodo and Microsoft Professional Development. This package of both online and face-to-face "just-in-time" professional development will focus on peer-to-peer mentoring, technology exploration and practice in integrating technology into the curriculum and classroom experience.
The initiative also addresses a key concern for many districts - supporting new classroom technology without adding IT staff. CDW-G and Avnet Integrated will offer districts a single source for help desk, asset management, onsite deployment and maintenance for up to four years.
