iSchool a Good Example of Innovative Use of Technology

The current issue of T.H.E. Journal includes a photo feature on iSchool in New York City. The public high school, housed in the top two floors of a building constructed as a factory in the late 19th century, has been transformed into a 21st century model of learning. Administrators there worked within the building's century-old limitations to develop a scalable model that rethinks what a high school should look like in this century.

• By Michael Hart
• 02/06/12

The current issue of T.H.E. Journal includes a photo feature on iSchool in New York City. The public high school, housed in the top two floors of a building constructed as a factory in the late 19th century, has been transformed into a 21st century model of learning.

Although it occasionally happens, it is rare for an intensely urban school district like New York's to have the opportunity to build a school from the ground up. Nevertheless, administrators there worked within the building's century-old limitations to develop a scalable model that rethinks what a high school should look like in this century.

While the New York iSchool is just one school campus, it is a good example of the kinds of innovations taking place in school districts all over the country--and exactly why officials in those districts should note that T.H.E. Journal and the International Society for Technology in Education are now accepting nominations for the 2012 Sylvia Charp Award, given each year to recognize the outstanding districtwide use of innovative technology in K-12 education.

More details about the award--given in honor of its namesake, the founding editor of T.H.E. Journal, and her groundbreaking contributions to the education technology community--are available elsewhere in this newsletter and in the January issue of the magazine.

"It is so inspiring to see the level of innovation and dedication to excellence among the Sylvia Charp Award nominations," said Therese Mageau, editorial director of T.H.E. Journal. "We are looking forward to seeing once again how school districts are using technology to advance educational excellence."