Could Technology Help Attract and Retain Teachers?

Could upgrading the technology teachers use every day in their classrooms help make their work easier — and stem the tide of educators leaving school…

The darkened classroom glows with multicolored LED string lights and lighted keyboards. Unlike your average classroom, this one looks ready for a gaming competition; that is, until you notice a young student pull up a split screen and begin to code.
“Game-based learning is different,” says Nadine Ebri, a specialist with the technology innovation department for Duval County (Fla.) Public Schools who runs the Minecraft lab for the district. “It really stretches the brain and helps students develop skills like problem-solving and computational thinking.”
The lab is located at Springfield Middle…

A new school year brings the opportunity for renewed collaboration between IT leaders and teachers. Around the country, fresh devices, programs and tech tools are being unpackaged and implemented to support instruction, allowing districts to stay on the cutting edge of everything technology has to offer teachers and students. Working behind the scenes, IT professionals train users, troubleshoot problems and configure new tech to ensure a smooth rollout.
Here’s what districts are excited about this year, and how IT and classroom collaborations mean innovative opportunities for students.…