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Greetings!
Welcome to the March edition of the AALF newsletter. This month we have an article by Bruce Dixon, President of AALF, who discusses how despite the growth of 1:1, there is still a need to focus. We also have an editorial by Susan Einhorn, Executive Director of AALF, who writes about education in this age of youth-led grassroots political movements and revolutions.
The success of the first 1:1 school in Australia was due to a potent mix consisting of a technology-rich environment, the right 'software as thinking tool' (students all used LogoWriter and, later, MicroWorlds), a supportive leader willing to try new ideas and take a few risks, and, most importantly, teachers willing to learn along with their students as they all explored new ideas. Over the years we've discussed leadership, teacher support, professional development and even, sometimes, hardware in this newsletter. We often receive requests from readers for suggestions on software tools to use in the classroom that really take advantage of 1:1 technology, particularly in math and science. In response to these requests, we have asked a few of our previous contributors who work in these fields to write blogs sharing what they use and recommend. Here you'll find an article by Scott Garrigan who shares three teacher-tested simulation systems that aid in higher level math and science learning, and a blog by mathematics educator, Nils Ahbel, who highlights a new software program that has greatly improved his teaching experience. In addition, we have details on a new study from the Eastern Townships School Board in Quebec on the benefits and challenges of its 1:1 program. Also included in this month's newsletter are some of our regular features: Survey Says and Share Your Expertise.
Click on the link at the end of each article to read it in its entirety on our website. You can comment or add your stories to any of these articles. We would love to hear from you!
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1:1 Editorials, Articles
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 In this article, Bruce Dixon, President of the Anytime Anywhere Learning Foundation, discusses the growth and boom of 1:1 initiatives around the globe. 1:1 is now largely seen as inevitable, an obligation and a right. However, Bruce cautions that despite the increase in 1:1 numbers around the globe, we cannot afford to lose focus or nerve. Click here to read Bruce's thoughts on the spread of 1:1. TIME FOR A REVOLUTION
2011 has become the year of revolution. Here, Susan Einhorn, Executive Director of the Anytime Anywhere Learning Foundation, shares her thoughts on the striking correlation between youth and technology in the recent uprisings in Egypt and Libya, and what this might mean for education. What if students decide to demand more than just incremental reform? Click here to read Susan's thought-provoking questions.
DEFORESTACTION & PROJECT BORNEO 3D
 DeforestACTION, a part of TakingITGlobal's Shout environmental program, and in partnership with Microsoft Partners in Learning and Orangutan Outreach, has teamed up with acclaimed conservationist Dr. Willie Smits and Orangutan Outreach to bring you Project Borneo! Ten incredible young leaders will be given the opportunity to spend five months in Borneo implementing the DeforestACTION project. Your involvement will be documented and developed into a 3D documentary feature by Virgo Productions and National Geographic Entertainment. The contest deadline is March 15th. Click here to learn more.
INTERACTIVE SIMULATIONS TO DEVELOP HIGHER-LEVEL SCIENCE AND MATH SKILLS WITH YOUR LAPTOPS  How can you best engage students in higher-level science and math activities to prepare them for an unimaginable future filled with the fruits of nanotechnology, biotechnology, and genetic engineering? The National Science Foundation has responded by funding the development of outstanding interactive simulation systems that your students can use on Windows, Mac, and even Linux laptops at no cost. In this article, Scott Garrigan, shares three teacher-tested simulation systems that hundreds of thousands of students use to learn the most challenging concepts in science and math. Click here to learn more.
COMMUNICATING THE WAY MATHEMATICIANS DO  In this article, Nils Ahbel, a mathematics educator for the past 20 years, shares his discovery of a new mathematics software that, together with tablet PCs, is dramatically changing the learning experience in his classroom, making mathematics no longer a 'paper and pencil' subject. Click here to learn more about Nils' recommendation for Math educators.
NEW STUDY! THE EASTERN TOWNSHIPS SCHOOL BOARD: 1:1 BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES
 The Eastern Townships School Board has recently been the focus of a study conducted by researchers at two Canadian universities centering on the benefits and challenges of a 1:1 laptop program. The Eastern Townships School Board is the first school board in Canada to widely distribute laptops to all of its teachers and students from grade 3 - adult education. This preliminary report presents the results of a study conducted from April 2010 to January 2011. Click here to read the study in full.
1:1 PROJECT IN HUNTERDON CENTRAL
We'd like to share this interesting article featured on the SchoolCIO website concerning the 1:1 program in Hunterdon Central Regional High School in New Jersey. Click here to read the article in full.
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Asking our AALF Community
| SURVEY SAYS
Are you planning on moving to e-books in place of printed textbooks? Let us know by responding to our 10-second poll!
We will share more survey and poll results in upcoming issues, so stay tuned!
Thank you for participating!
SURVEY SAYS RESULTS!
We have analyzed the results from last issue's Survey Says poll. Here's what you said!
Survey Says Question: Do you let your students bring their own laptops to school?
77.8% Yes
0% No, but they can bring their cell phone and use it for classroom work
22.2% No, they can bring no digital devices to use at school
0% No, but they can bring their iPod or similar hand-held device and use it for classroom work
SHARE YOUR EXPERTISE  If you have any experience or thoughts on the question below, please respond by following the link to the discussion boards!
Has your school or district switched from laptops to tablets or laptops to iPads? What have your experiences been? Click here to share your expertise! |
Upcoming 1:1 Events
| UPCOMING AALF NEXT STEPS INSTITUTES!
The Next Steps Online Institutes are a series of Professional Development courses that focus on best practices of highly effective 1:1 classes and their organization, pedagogy, and learning culture. Some courses concentrate on general guidelines for teaching and learning in 1:1 classrooms, while others center on 1:1 learning and teaching models for specific curriculum areas.
We are pleased to share our upcoming online institute line-up. All sessions are designed for teachers, teacher leaders, and principals. Click on the session dates for more information, pricing, or to register.
We've Got Laptops, Now What? Course 2: Instructional Frameworks & Increased Student Achievement
ONLY A FEW MORE DAYS TO REGISTER! COURSE BEGINS NEXT WEEK!
While building upon, We've Got Laptops, Now What? Course 1: Foundations for Success, participants will take an in depth look at the elements of successful 1:1 classes and learn about research-based frameworks and principles that guide teachers to become 1:1 pedagogical design experts.
MARCH 15-24, 2011
We've Got Laptops, Now What? Course 3: Models of Outstanding (and Effective) 1:1 Classes
Developed for people who have taken We've Got Laptops, Now What? Course 1 and 2 in the Got Laptops series, this institute will provide participants with multiple virtual visits to highly effective laptop classes and schools around the world.
MAY 10-19, 2011
OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD
 Check Events on the AALF website regularly to learn of other events at which AALF leaders will be speaking or leading workshops. We look forward to seeing you there!
March 23- 25, 2011 2011 NSBA Educational Technology Site Visit - Pascack Valley Regional High School District, Montvale, NJ.
March 30- May 5, 2011 Introduction to Global Project-based Learning - TakingITGlobal, virtual event. ASB UN-PLUGGED 2012 February 22-25, 2012  Organized in collaboration with The Laptop Institute, Anytime Anywhere Learning Foundation, and Near East/South Asia Center of Overseas Schools (NESA), ASB Un-plugged brings an all-in-one learning opportunity to audiences ranging from classroom teachers to technology directors and coordinators, from principals, superintendents and business managers to tech support teams. 1-to-1 is about providing access to technologies that empower learners and support the creation of 21st century learning environments. Join Elliot Soloway, Cathie Norris, Scott Klososky, Bernajean Porter, Scott McLeod, Elizabeth Helfant, Richard Healey, Damian Bebell, Jenny Ellwood, Brad Rathgeber, Molly Rumsey and others in developing and articulating a vision for a 1-to-1 learning environment. Bring a team from your school for inspiration and best practices to help you steer an intentional course. Julie Lindsay and Vicki Davis will return with the Flat Classroom Workshop. Click here to join the ASB Un-plugged Ning and stay updated on conference announcements.
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| Coaches' Corner | AALF COACHING
AALF coaches provide support for educators at all levels and, working either individually or in expert teams, coaches and consultants support educators and policy makers at every phase of their 1:1 initiative.
For additional information regarding AALF coaching support, go to the Coaching and Mentoring Services page of our website, or contact Susan Einhorn at seinhorn@aalf.org
CONTRIBUTING TO AALF
Our AALF worldwide newsletter readership continues to grow.With this in mind, I would like to invite foundation members to get involved with the production of this monthly publication.
Please contact Susan Einhorn (seinhorn@aalf.org or 425.223.3763) if you are interested in any of these opportunities. |
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