Broward County Schools Expand Use of Curriculum Texts

The sixth largest public school district in the United States is expanding its use of digital curriculum, which students access through a textbook delivery program on their laptops. The use of online instructional material is part of Broward County Public Schools' Digital 5 (D5) initiative.

In D5 about 3,200 fifth graders and their teachers from 27 elementary schools in the Florida district are using laptops, digital resources, online instructional materials, and other learning tools. Specifically, D5 participants are using a reading program, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's Florida Journeys Common Core and GO Math! Florida, via an application from Kno.

The Kno platform adds interactive features, search, assessments, digital note-taking and journaling, and social sharing tools intended to better engage students with the content. The software also provides teacher monitoring and reporting tools.

The expansion of the use of digital Houghton Mifflin Harcourt materials through Kno follows on two pilot programs run in classrooms last spring. Since then curriculum specialists from both companies have worked with the district to provide professional development, classroom integration, and support in order to grow the program.

"The Digital 5 initiative is very exciting for us. Essentially we are creating the classroom of the future, and we are doing it today, to ensure students are college and career ready in the 21st Century," said Superintendent Robert Runcie. "The winning combination of Kno's interactive learning technology and [Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's] high-quality content gives our students and teachers the resources they need to maximize student learning and grow as citizens in an increasingly digital world."

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • students using digital devices, surrounded by abstract AI motifs and soft geometric design

    Ed Tech Startup Kira Launches AI-Native Learning Platform

    A new K-12 learning platform aims to bring personalized education to every student. Kira, one of the latest ed tech ventures from Andrew Ng, former director of Stanford's AI Lab and co-founder of Coursera and DeepLearning.AI, "integrates artificial intelligence directly into every educational workflow — from lesson planning and instruction to grading, intervention, and reporting," according to a news announcement.

  • toolbox featuring a circuit-like AI symbol and containing a screwdriver, wrench, and hammer

    Microsoft Launches AI Tools for Educators

    Microsoft has introduced a variety of AI tools aimed at helping educators develop personalized learning experiences for their students, create content more efficiently, and increase student engagement.

  • laptop displaying a red padlock icon sits on a wooden desk with a digital network interface background

    Reports Point to Domain Controllers as Prime Ransomware Targets

    A recent report from Microsoft reinforces warns of the critical role Active Directory (AD) domain controllers play in large-scale ransomware attacks, aligning with U.S. government advisories on the persistent threat of AD compromise.

  • Two hands shaking in the center with subtle technology icons, graphs, binary code, and a padlock in the dark blue background

    Two Areas for K-12 Schools to Assess for When to Work with a Managed Services Provider

    The complexity of today’s IT network infrastructure and increased cybersecurity risk are quickly moving beyond many school districts’ ability to manage on their own. But a new technology model, a partnership with a managed services provider, offers a way forward for schools to overcome these challenges.