Recently, we were pleased to continue the success of the Dell Innovation in Teaching and Learning Think Tank series by joining the North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE), a nonpartisan and nonprofit organization located in the office of Governor Pat McCrory, in a conversation on teacher excellence and next generation learning. Our Think Tank builds on previous thought-provoking conversations held at the Science Leadership Academy in Philadelphia, Roanoke County Public Schools in Virgina and Williamson County Schools in Tennessee.
I was excited to participate in the discussion with NCBCE executive director Sue Breckenridge; Dell Youth Innovation Advisor and VCU Student, Sixto Cancel; State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. June Atkinson and superintendents, students, and leaders from the private sector in North Carolina to discuss how technology can be used, from preschool through college and the vitally important role that teachers play in that process. We were honored to have Governor Pat McCrory stop by and join us as well to discuss his recent education inititatives.
North Carolina is a bright spot of success for Dell, where we’ve seen some very innovative partnerships with customers like Cabarrus County Schools, who has managed to effectively deploy solutions that support personalized learning and expand student access to technology to better prepare them for a networked and globalized economy.
Last year, Cabarrus County Schools in Concord, North Carolina deployed Dell Latitude laptops to achieve a digital learning environment that prepared its students for the demands of the next workforce. Supporting programs such as the CCS-Kannapolis Early College High, JN Fries Magnet STEM and Coltrane Web Magnet STEM academy, the Dell Latitude 3330 helped teachers and students leverage collaborative learning tools available online and create immersive, two-way learning experiences. These new technology-enabled environments empowered students to create and consume content, just as they will do in their future workplace. But in addition to placing devices into the hands of students, Cabarrus County has also adopted the use of web-based digital tools that place learning resources online for both teachers and students. Digital learning tools are incredibly cost-effective and they don’t become outdated, which is why Cabarrus has invested their transition from print to digital learning resources.
The discussion was moderated by Bruce Friend, president and co-founder of Ignite Learning Partners – a true vsionary who has expanded access to learning throughout North Carolina and Florida through the use of online and distance learning. In fact, Bruce has been recognized with the “Most Outstanding Achievement by an Individual: K-12 Education” award by the United States Distance Learning Association.
Along with my fellow participants, I found it valuable to explore how leaders across government, business and education can work collaboratively to develop and implement a shared vision for the future of education in North Carolina. There is so much for us to learn from each other and I hope you’ll check out the conversation highlights and add your own perspectives and ideas by using the hashtag #DoMoreEdu and watching live https://new.livestream.com/Dell/NCBCE.
