Finalists Announced for Innovation in Education Awards Honoring Schools, Educators and Students in Orange County

Annual Awards Recognize New Approaches to Preparing Students for 21st Century Lives and Careers

Irvine, Calif. –Nine finalists were announced today for the 2015 Innovation in Education Awards presented by Project Tomorrow and the OC Tech Alliance to schools, educators and high school students who are charting new paths in education

Project Tomorrow, the nation’s leading nonprofit group focused on science, math and technology education, and the OC Tech Alliance have been recognizing outstanding education programs, educators and students for their innovative uses of science, math and technology with this award since 2006.

Finalists for this year’s awards are:

• Innovative School-Wide Program of the Year in Science, Math & Technology – distinguishing a public, private, or parochial school that demonstrates innovation with an outstanding, results-based school-wide program
• Stoddard Elementary School, Anaheim City School District
  Program: Stoddard STEAM Academy
• Foothill High School, Tustin Unified School District
  Program: Foothill Engineering and Technology (FEAT)
• The Prentice School in Santa Ana, Private
  Program: Assistive Technology Tools
• High Impact Teacher of the Year in Science, Math & Technology – acknowledging the influence of a great teacher in his/her use of science, math or technology to significantly impact student academic achievement
• Dwynn Famalette, Aliso Niguel High School, 10-12th Science Teacher
• Sharon McCubbin, Springbrook Elementary, 3rd Grade Teacher
• Suzy Hardy, St. John’s Episcopal School in Rancho Santa Margarita, 6-8th Math/Technology Teacher
• Emerging Student Innovator of the Year in Science, Math & Technology – recognizing eighth grade, freshman, sophomore, or junior high school students who are creatively using science, math and technology resources to solve a school or community problem
• Anna Lou, Oxford Academy Cypress, 10th Grade (rising junior)
• Ruoxi Michelle Chen, Sage Hill School, 11th Grade (rising senior)
• Sean O’Bannon, Foothill High School, 11th Grade (rising senior)

The 2015 Innovation in Education Award recipients will be announced at the 22nd Annual High-Tech Innovation Awards Dinner on Thursday, October 8th, 2015 at the Westin South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. The annual education-focused segment is a partnership between Project Tomorrow and corporate sponsors, Emulex and Haworth.

More about the Awards, including past recipients, can be found online: http://www.tomorrow.org/programs/innovationawards.html

Nominations for the 2015 Project Tomorrow Innovation in Education Awards could be self-submitted or submitted by a district and/or school staff person. Organizations such as a PTA unit, parent advisory committee, or any youth based organization were also eligible to nominate. An independent review panel of local education and business leaders will select the award recipients. The annual Innovation in Education Awards are open to all public and private schools in Orange County.

About Project Tomorrow

Project Tomorrow (www.tomorrow.org), a national education nonprofit organization headquartered in Irvine, California, supports the innovative uses of research-based science, math and technology resources to develop critical thinking, problem solving and creativity in K-12 students. Project Tomorrow addresses the challenges of developing schools for the 21st century through national research projects, community and school-based programs, online tools and resources, and advocacy efforts to ensure that all students are prepared to be tomorrow’s leaders, innovators and engaged citizens of the world.

About Orange County Technology Alliance

Orange County Technology Alliance is a 501(c)6 nonprofit trade association committed to fast-forwarding the local innovation economy. It is the only technology association addressing the needs of technology companies of all sizes, from small privately held enterprises to large publicly traded entities, based in Orange County, Calif. The alliance serves members through local networking, professional development, state and federal advocacy, savings on business services and industry recognition. To learn more about OC Tech Alliance visit www.octechalliance.com or email Brenda@octechalliance.com. Follow alliance activities on Twitter at twitter.com/octechalliance.

Around the Web Wednesday

Happy Around the Web Wednesday! Browse all the links below for the latest news and topics trending in education and technology. Be sure to let us know which article intrigued you the most!

Speak Up 2015 is now open for registration! Join the 3.9 million students, parents, educators, administrators, and community members who have spoken up about education and technology since 2003. Surveys will run from October 1 - December 18, 2015. Register today to ensure your voice is heard this fall! http://bit.ly/SU15survey

Wearable technology in the classroom - The Guardian

Digital literacy yields test gains, better behavior - District Administration

What Google’s virtual field trips look like in the classroom - eSchool News

Survey: Most Profs Find HS Grads Unready for College or Work - Campus Technology

Is This The Beginning Of The End For The SAT And ACT? - NPR

Survey: Most Teachers Aren't Comfortable Connecting Data to Instruction - The Journal

Speak Up 2015 is just around the corner! Get your school(s) ready for the survey through our sample emails.

Speak Up 2015 is just around the corner! Get your school(s) ready for the annual survey by spreading the word through our sample emails - send out the one below, or by visiting http://www.tomorrow.org/speakup/promo.html. Feel free to change the text as needed. Stay tuned for more Speak Up 2015 promotional materials in the next few weeks.

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Subject: Help us collect valuable data for our school by participating in Speak Up 2015

Join the conversation about the use of technology for learning through Speak Up, a National Research Project. Since 2003, nearly 4 million K-12 education stakeholders have participated in the annual online surveys. Data findings are shared each year with federal, state and local policymakers to inform education programs, policies and funding.

 

Surveys will be open for input October 1st – December 18th, 2015 at:

http://www.bit.ly/SU15survey

Instructions for completing the Speak Up survey

1. Go to this link: http://www.bit.ly/SU15survey
2. Click on the appropriate survey (Student, Educator, Parent, Community member).
3. Follow the given instructions to access the survey. Begin by entering your school zip or clicking on the drop down button and select your state, then go to the next line and type in your school name to find your school.
4. Students will choose their grade level and enter in their school specific password
• Parents and Educators will NOT need the password to access the survey.

To learn more about the project and how to get involved, visit www.tomorrow.org/speakup.

Speak Up is a national initiative of Project Tomorrow, the nation's leading educational nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that today’s students are well prepared to be tomorrow’s innovators, leaders and engaged citizens of the world. To learn more about Speak Up, please visit: www.tomorrow.org/speakup

Spread the word about Speak Up through our sample tweets!

With the new school year coming up in a few weeks, now is the perfect time to start planning your Speak Up survey promotion to your school(s). Get the word out about the annual survey through our sample tweets. Feel free to post these on your school or district's twitter account before and during the survey period, and feel free to change the text as needed.

Before October 1st

• Our school/district has registered to be a part of a nationwide conversation about #edtech - join in today: http://bit.ly/SU15survey
• Join us & the 4mil students, parents, teachers, and admins who have participated in Speak Up since ’03! Register now: http://bit.ly/SU15survey
• We are excited to participate in this year's #SpeakUpsurvey! Learn all about the survey before it opens on 10/1: http://bit.ly/SUhome
• 75% of students say mobile devices are important. What do our students think? Get involved with the #SpeakUpsurvey at http://bit.ly/SU15survey
• Our school/district just registered for Speak Up!  Join the conversation about the role of technology in & out of school: http://bit.ly/SU15survey 

During October 1st-December 18th

• Speak Up surveys are available 10/1 through 12/18! Make your voice heard about education and technology! http://bit.ly/SU15survey
• Parents, to learn more about Speak Up before participating in this nationwide educational survey, see this FAQ page: http://bit.ly/PUS23q 
• Take the Speak Up survey to ensure your voice is heard! http://bit.ly/SU15survey
• School/district your participation in Speak Up is important! Help us collect valuable data @ http://bit.ly/SU15survey
• Let’s be a part of the thousands around the country who are speaking up to decision-makers about 21st century learning: http://bit.ly/SU15survey 

Last minute tweets

• Only a few more days until Speak Up 2015 is over! Get your survey in before 12/18 to make sure your voice is heard! http://bit.ly/SU15survey
• Need a last min activity before winter break? Dedicate 15min to the #SpeakUpsurvey! http://bit.ly/SU15survey
• Speak Up about issues regarding the use of new technology such as mobile devices and tablets in schools: http://bit.ly/SU15survey
• Don't forget to submit your Speak Up surveys before winter break begins! Visit http://bit.ly/SU15survey to share your thoughts.
• Last call for surveys! Submit your Speak Up surveys by 12/18 to ensure your voice is heard: http://bit.ly/SU15survey

Stay tuned for more Speak Up 2015 promotional materials coming in the next few weeks!

Around the Web Wednesday

Happy Around the Web Wednesday! Browse all the links below for the latest news and topics trending in education and technology. Be sure to let us know which article intrigued you the most!

Speak Up 2015 is now open for registration! Join the 3.9 million students, parents, educators, administrators, and community members who have spoken up about education and technology since 2003. Surveys will run from October 1 - December 18, 2015. Register today to ensure your voice is heard this fall! http://bit.ly/SU15survey

- The Project Tomorrow Team

N.S.A. Summer Camp: More Hacking Than Hiking - The New York Times

Training Faculty for Mobile Learning - Campus Technology

Private clouds help schools weather data concerns - eSchool News

How The Big New Education Law Could Cut Testing Time - NPR

How Twitter Can Power Your Professional Learning - EdTech Magazine

Flipping over changes in the classroom - Smart Blog

Are you at #BbWorld15?

If so, plan to attend Julie Evans's panel tomorrow, featuring input from parents about digital learning, communication, and more. Check out the details below:

Parent Panel: Parent Engagement to Drive Student Success
National Harbor 12 & 13
Wednesday, July 22
8:15am-9:00am EST

With the rise of digital learning, the transition to digital content, and near mobile ubiquity, teaching, learning, and communication are changing rapidly in K-12 education and so are school communities preferences and demand for communications and digital learning. And, parental involvement is leading contributing factor for student achievement. In this moderated panel discussion led by Julie Evans, CEO of Project Tomorrow, we will hear from a panel of parents to better understand how schools can server their communication, teaching, and learning needs.

Live streaming of the event will be available! Click here to watch the panel online.

Speak Up Family and Friends Upcoming Events

Happy Monday! Each week we'll post upcoming events and programs from our Speak Up partners and sponsors. Check out the events below:

DreamBox Learning
Webinar: "Using Data to Support Teaching and Learning in a Blended Learning Math Program"
July 20, 3PM-4PM ET
Click here to register

Blackboard Inc.
Event: BbWorld 2015
July 21 - July 23
Click here to learn more

iNACOL
Webinar: "Personalized Learning: What It Takes to Get Started"
August 12, 2PM-3PM ET
Click here to register

Will you be attending any of these events? Let us know in the comment section!

It's not too early to start promoting Speak Up to your school/district!

Have you already registered for Speak Up 2015? Get a head start before surveys open on October 1st by spreading the word to your stakeholders! Download our general flyer by clicking here or clicking on the image below.

Stay tuned for more promotional materials coming your way next month!

Around the Web Wednesday

Happy Around the Web Wednesday! Browse all the links below for the latest news and topics trending in education and technology. Be sure to let us know which article intrigued you the most!

Speak Up 2015 is now open for registration! Join the 3.9 million students, parents, educators, administrators, and community members who have spoken up about education and technology since 2003. Surveys will run from October 1 - December 18, 2015. Register today to ensure your voice is heard this fall! http://bit.ly/SU15survey

- The Project Tomorrow Team

8 Design Steps for an Academic Makerspace - The Journal

Learning: Personalized, Powered Up and Hyper-Connected - K-12 Blueprint

How do you get tech-resistant teachers to embrace change? - eSchool News

Personalization, Tailored Instruction Vital to Blended Learning, New Report Says - Education Week

Results of President Obama’s Race to the Top - Education Next

Speak Up 2015 is now open for registration!

Surveys run from October 1 - December 18, 2015

With Speak Up 2015 in three months, it's not too early to start making plans to take the survey! Get a head start and register your school or district profile for the 2015 surveys at bit.ly/SU15survey.

If you are a returning school or district contact, you can automatically register for Speak Up 2015 by logging in with last year's contact information. Click here to visit the administrator log in page.

Stay tuned for more information about our Speak Up 2015 promotional materials!

Speak Up News - July 2015

We had a blast at ISTE 2015 in Philadelphia, PA! If you missed us at last week's conference, or if you were interested in reviewing our sessions, we've included how to access our materials in this newsletter. We are also excited to announce that registration for Speak Up 2015 is now open! Keep reading to learn how you can sign up to be a part of our annual survey once it opens on October 1st. In this newsletter... ▪ Registration for Speak Up 2015 is now open! Sign up to take part in our annual survey from October 1 - December 18, 2015. ▪ Project Tomorrow at ISTE 2015: Learn how you can review the materials from our 5 sessions at ISTE 2015. ▪ Digital learning is more than a trend: Request a copy of our report with Blackboard, "Trends in Digital Learning: Empowering Innovative Classroom Models for Learning." ▪ Digital Teachers, Digital Principals: Transforming the Ways We Engage Students Did you miss our session with BrainPOP at ISTE 2015? Catch up by downloading our white paper.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to share your thoughts with us on Facebook, Twitter, and our Blog. -The Project Tomorrow team

Speak Up 2015 is now open for registration! Surveys run from October 1 - December 18, 2015

With Speak Up 2015 in three months, it's not too early to start making plans to take the survey! Get a head start and register your school or district profile for the 2015 surveys at bit.ly/SU15survey. If you are a returning school or district contact, you can automatically register for Speak Up 2015 by logging in with last year's contact information. Click here to visit the administrator log in page.

Project Tomorrow at ISTE 2015 Did you miss us at this year's conference & expo? If you missed our sessions at ISTE 2015, or if you just wanted to download our PowerPoints and flyers from our events, we've included a list of our materials on our website. Check out the links below: Paying It Forward: Leveraging Female Voices in Ed Tech Download presentation The Eight Essentials for Success in Mobile Learning Download presentation Why Student Data? Download presentation Digital Teachers, Digital Principals: Transforming the Ways We Engage Students Download presentation Download report from Project Tomorrow and BrainPOP Digital Learning in Special Education Classrooms: Insights from Research and Practice Download presentation Flyer handouts Speak Up 2015 Flyer Student Top 10 Flyer Teacher Top 10 Flyer Mobile Learning Infographic Special Education Teacher Flyer

Digital learning is more than a trend Report from Project Tomorrow and Blackboard Inc. At ISTE 2015, we released our annual report with Blackboard, Trends in Digital Learning: Empowering Innovative Classroom Models for Learning. This report focuses on how innovative classroom models empower more engaging and purposeful learning environments for students and teachers by examining both the desired student achievements and the strategic use of digital tools, content and resources to understand, from the perspective of the students, teachers and administrators on the front lines, the opportunities and challenges associated with empowering new innovative classroom models. Report highlights how: ▪ Educators are using new technologies to engage students in and out of school ▪ Blended and digital learning translate directly to student confidence and success ▪ Students are reacting to these evolving and innovative classroom models

Download presentation Download a copy of the report

Digital Teachers, Digital Principals: Transforming the Ways We Engage Students Report from Project Tomorrow and BrainPOP If you missed Julie Evans's session with Kari Stubbs, Robert Miller, and Matthew Brown about digital content and games at ISTE 2015, you can still download our white paper with BrainPOP that explores transformative teaching. Check out some information below: In "Digital Teachers, Digital Principals: Transforming the Ways We Engage Students" we examine the evolving role of digital content to support student learning from the perspective of the classroom teacher and the school principal. Starting with a broad review of digital content use to empower transformed learning experiences, this white paper delves specifically into the emerging role of digital games to both engage students and enable a new classroom environment. Key Findings include: ▪ Over one-third of elementary teachers (35 percent) and 1 of 5 middle school teachers (21 percent) report regular usage of digital games within their classroom. ▪ These game-using teachers see the primary benefit of digital games as increased student engagement in learning (88 percent); 72 percent of digital principals agree. ▪ Teachers who are using digital games in their classroom have a greater appreciation for the overall impact of technology on student outcomes and teacher effectiveness.

Download a copy of the report

Thank you for your interest and continued support of Speak Up! Be sure to stay updated on all things Speak Up by following us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagramand our Blog. If you have any questions please feel free to contact our Speak Up Operations Manager, Jenny Hostert, at jhostert@tomorrow.org or via phone at (949) 609-4660 ext. 17.

Many thanks to our sponsors and partners for the support of Speak Up 2014: Blackboard Inc., BrainPOP, Fuel Education, DreamBox Learning, Schoolwires, Qualcomm Wireless Reach, Rosetta Stone, American Association of School Administrators, Consortium for School Networking, Digital Learning Day, Digital Promise, edWeb, International Association for K-12 Online Learning, International Society for Technology in Education, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National School Boards Association, Secondary Education Teachers’ Association, and the Southern Regional Education Board.

SoCal schools face a teacher shortage

Southern California school districts are facing what Donna Glassman-Sommer, a Tulare County Office of Education administrator, calls "the perfect storm" - a combination of teachers going into retirement, a decline of enrollment in teaching credential programs, and increased state funding for new hires.

The 2013-2014 annual report from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing shows that enrollment in teacher preparation courses has been in a steady decline for twelve consecutive years, with the number of new teachers down 26% over the last five years. One reason for this are budget cuts that have driven several experienced teachers from the field and students in teacher preparation programs to change majors.

In order to combat the lack of recruitable credentialed teachers, some schools turn to teacher interns and substitutes. While interns usually have a bachelor's degree, teacher training, and no classroom experience, substitute teachers must be enrolled in a four-year California university/college with at least ninety units completed. With these empty spots filled for the time being, districts still worry about filling classrooms with fully credentialed teachers. “I think it's especially going to be urgent coming July in 2016 as we see all of the baby boomers, we would like to say, retiring and deciding to move on to another part of their life,” Patricia Pernin, president of California Teacher Corps, said.

There does seem to be good news for Southern California schools, though - incoming college freshmen have expressed a greater interest in teaching, and report noticing that the job market in education is getting better. Schools remain hopeful for this next generation of tech-savvy and Common Core trained teachers - but for the time being, continue searching for teachers for the upcoming school year.

To learn more, check out the original article, "SoCal schools may see more interns, substitutes in classrooms as teacher shortage grows,"by Mary Plummer for Southern California Public Radio.

Two of Project Tomorrow's initiatives, YouthTEACH2Learn and the California Future Educators Association (F.E.A.), work to combat the issue of the teacher shortage.

YouthTEACH2Learn is a career exploration program where students explore teaching as a career. During the course, the students gain practical experience by observing elementary school classrooms, learning how to teach, developing and teaching standards-based lessons to younger students in neighboring elementary schools and participating in local community service projects. In addition, students also have the opportunity to meet local educators, attend career panels and visit local college campuses in order to determine if the teaching is a "good-fit" for their professional goals. To learn more about YouthTEACH2Learn, visit http://www.tomorrow.org/programs/yt2l.html.

California F.E.A. encourages students to learn about careers in education and aid them in exploring teaching while providing meaningful opportunities to receive the mentoring and support they need to actualize their career aspirations. CFEA has made several accomplishments during the 2014-2015 school year, including but not limited to increasing its chapters from 3 to 14 (with membership increasing from 55 to 358), producing a webinar on National Board Certification with National University, and doubling participation in the CFEA state conference with over 400 members in attendance. To learn more about California F.E.A., visit http://www.tomorrow.org/fea/.

Around the Web Wednesday

Happy Around the Web Wednesday! Browse all the links below for the latest news and topics trending in education and technology. Be sure to let us know which article intrigued you the most!

Speak Up 2015 is now open for registration! Join the 3.9 million students, parents, educators, administrators, and community members who have spoken up about education and technology since 2003. Surveys will run from October 1 - December 18, 2015. Register today to ensure your voice is heard this fall! http://bit.ly/SU15survey

- The Project Tomorrow Team

• Trends Aside, Libraries Support Student Content Creation Now - School Library Journal
• SoCal schools may see more interns, substitutes in classrooms as teacher shortage grows - Southern California Public Radio
• Education Technology Makes The Most Impact In The Least Recognized Places - Forbes
• What Education Technology Could Look Like Over the Next Five Years - MindShift
• Report: The 4 models of blended learning in action - eSchool News
• Will Virtual Reality Stake Its Claim in K–12 Classrooms? - EdTech Magazine

Did you stop by our booth at ISTE 2015?

Our displayed flyers and reports from our ISTE 2015 booth are available for download. Visit our website to download the materials, or click on the thumbnails below:

  

  

  

Click here to visit our data findings website

Our report with Blackboard Inc. was featured in The Journal!

Last week Project Tomorrow and Blackboard Inc. released our annual report, "Trends in Digital Learning: Empowering Innovative Classroom Models for Learning," at ISTE 2015. This report featured data from Speak Up 2014, showing that the use of digital tools leads to positive results in schools. Check out some data from the Journal's article below:

• Over 90% of K-12 administrators say technology is an important part of achieving their districts' academic goals
• More than 78% of parents believe the use of technology would help their children develop the skills needed to succeed in life
• Mobile learning through the use of tablets and other devices has grown by 41% compared to last year
• Nearly half of K-12 students are more interested in classes that use digital tools

Click here to read Michael Hart's article, "Survey: Technology Vital to Student Success," for the Journal

Click here to download a copy of our report with Blackboard Inc., "Trends in Digital Learning: Empowering Innovative Classroom Models for Learning"

Project Tomorrow summer hours

We hope you all have a fun and safe Fourth of July weekend! Please note that our office will be closed on Fridays from July 3rd to August 28. Have a wonderful weekend!

ISTE 2015 Recap

We had a blast at ISTE 2015! If you missed us at this year's conference & expo in Philadelphia, PA, check out the links below:

Paying It Forward: Leveraging Female Voices in Ed Tech
Monday, June 29, 8:30-9:30am
Click here to learn more
Download presentation
#edtech4women

The Eight Essentials for Success in Mobile Learning
Monday, June 29, 12:45-1:45pm
Click here to learn more

Trends in Digital Learning: Empowering Innovative Classroom Models for Learning
Report by Project Tomorrow and Blackboard Inc.
Tuesday, June 30th
Click here to download a copy of the report

Why Student Data?
Tuesday, June 30, 12:30-1:30pm
Click here to learn more

Digital Teachers, Digital Principals: Transforming the Ways We Engage Students
Tuesday, June 30, 4:00-5:00pm
Click here to learn more
Download presentation
Download report from Project Tomorrow and BrainPOP

Digital Learning in Special Education Classrooms: Insights from Research and Practice
Wednesday, July 1,10:15–11:15 am
Click here to learn more

Did you miss yesterday's session at ISTE 2015, "Digital Teachers, Digital Principals: Transforming the Ways We Engage Students"?

If you missed Julie Evans's session with Kari Stubbs, Robert Miller, and Matthew Brown about digital content and games yesterday at ISTE 2015, you can still download our white paper with BrainPOP that explores transformative teaching. Check out some information below:

As the new school year starts, K-12 education leaders all across the country are re-focusing their efforts on providing students with learning experiences that develop the college, career and civic readiness skills so highly coveted by higher education, employers and policymakers. In many districts, this means a significant change in curriculum and classroom teaching methodologies. Not surprisingly, school and district leaders are increasingly interested in exploring new roles for the use of emerging technologies to support this transformation of the classroom learning process.

In this whitepaper we examine the evolving role of digital content to support student learning from the perspective of the classroom teacher and the school principal. Starting with a broad review of digital content use to empower transformed learning experiences, this white paper delves specifically into the emerging role of digital games to both engage students and enable a new classroom environment.

Key Findings include:

• Over one-third of elementary teachers (35 percent) and 1 of 5 middle school teachers (21 percent) report regular usage of digital games within their classroom. 
• These game-using teachers see the primary benefit of digital games as increased student engagement in learning (88 percent); 72 percent of digital principals agree. 
• Teachers who are using digital games in their classroom have a greater appreciation for the overall impact of technology on student outcomes and teacher effectiveness. 
• 60 percent of school principals say that having enough computers or devices with Internet access is a major obstacle to the greater adoption of digital content in their schools.
• Both teachers and school principals share a common set of determinants for evaluating the quality of digital content.

Engaging Students, Empowering Learning: New Roles for Digital Content and Games in the Classroom is a special collaboration between BrainPOP® and Project Tomorrow®. Click here to download a copy of the report.