July 2004 — SETDA
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Illinois: Building Support for Illinois' 'Digital Age Learning' Technology Plan
Inventing Illinois' Future Summits
According to the Digital Age Learning Plan, a necessary first step in implementing it was to build the stakeholder support for the state technology plan. ICE and ISBE led the way by holding an "Inventing Illinois' Future" summit in November 2003. ICE, under the leadership of Sharnell Jackson, retained Cheryl Lemke of Metiri Group Inc. to facilitate the event. Major sponsors included Apple Computer, Texas Instruments and Wireless Generation. Additional contributors consisted of Pearson Digital Learning, Dell, The Center for Teaching and Learning, Synchronous Solutions Inc., CompassLearning, Bast Services, Encyclopedia Britannica, CDW, Educational Resources, and palmOne. This event brought together 150 of the leaders in education, government, business and community to provide the big ideas that are the rallying points for funding the Digital Age Learning Plan. After two days of intensive work, the summit culminated in a call to action to create vibrant 21st century learning communities in all parts of the state. Participants sought to add 21st century learning to the agendas of the governor and general assembly with the following three key recommendations:
- Close the digital divide in Illinois schools and rapidly move toward equality for all students by providing one-to-one access to technology such as mobile tools, Internet access and a portal to virtual learning.
- Transform Illinois schools, communities and homes into 21st century places of learning by amending state tests and learning standards to incorporate 21st century skills. Also, develop a centralized digital information system to monitor student achievement.
- Provide all teachers and administrators with the professional development, accountability tools and support necessary to create 21st century education in Illinois. The eLearning Division made a commitment to continue the two-day effort by supporting the funding of 13 regional Inventing Illinois' Future (IIF) events. These events were completed in April, with hundreds of Illinoisans participating. A final report will be available on the ISBE Web site that will reflect the regionalization of the big ideas developed at the state IIF summit. The report will include a call to action in support of elimination of the digital divide, transformation of schools and empowerment of educators.
TECH2004
Another important activity that helps to increase legislative support and awareness for the integration of technology into teaching and learning processes took place on April 21, when students from all over Illinois met in Springfield for Tech 2004. This yearly event, which has support from many agencies, associations, school districts and corporations, demonstrates to lawmakers how classroom technology is helping them achieve and acquire the 21st century skills needed by everyone learning and working in the information economy. Teams of students were selected from each legislative district who demonstrated how learning environments were improved through technology. Tech 2004 is a nonprofit initiative supported by a broad range of educational and business organizations. Its purpose is to raise awareness of the critical role technology plays in preparing students to succeed in today's world and to show the need for increased funding for classroom technology. This year's co-chairs were Guy Ballard, director of technology at Niles Township High School District #219 and Glenda Bequette, principal technology consultant at the Illinois State Board of Education.
