Transforming Teaching & LearningBaldwin County Public Schools

DiscoveryEducation.com

Supporting the Digital Renaissance: Professional Development and Community Engagement

Digital Learning Objects Utilized Year over Year:Student Usage & Teacher UsageJuly 2012 - January 2014

Baldwin County Public Schools strives to meet the challenge of ensuring their teachers are prepared for the 21st century learners that walk through their doors every day and they have turned to Discovery Education as an integral partner. This partnership ensures that teachers can guide their students’ learning with engaging content and teaching strategies that help them to become critical thinkers and problem solvers.

Baldwin County Public Schools has embarked upon a groundbreaking “Digital Renaissance” initiative to transform classrooms by introducing technology tools at the point of instruction and encouraging a student-centered, challenge-based learning approach. With K-12 digital content, curriculum alignment, customized professional development and community support, Baldwin County Public Schools and Discovery Education collaborate to improve student achievement and inspire life-long learning.

The Digital Renaissance, under the leadership of Superintendent Dr. Alan T. Lee, began in 2011 at Baldwin County High School and expanded to all high schools in 2012. As part of the Digital Renaissance, 9,640 students and 700 teachers in Baldwin County’s seven high schools received MacBooks. The Digital Renaissance has since expanded with the Board’s approval to all the middle schools and elementary schools beginning with the third grade. Kindergarten through second grade students and teachers are receiving iPads in 2014 and will be working extensively with those new devices.

“The [digital] Renaissance is not about the computer, it is about the presence of the computer to empower students to learn in ways that they perhaps have never had an opportunity to do in school. Learning takes place every day for every child, but it is not always through direct instruction. Often, the most meaningful learning for children, for adults, is through exploration, communication with others, reflection on what is experienced, and synthesis of new understandings and skills. This sort of authentic learning will occur when classrooms are student-centered and focused on interactive, collaborative learning. Students learn best when they seek answers to deep, meaningful questions and have a chance to share their new perspectives.”

Dr. Alan T. Lee SuperintendentBCPS

Transforming Teaching and Learning inBaldwin County Public Schools

• 2% increase in attendance (now over 93%)• 8% increase in graduation rates between the 2011/2012 and 2012/1013 school years• 30% reduction in disciplinary referrals• Range of 1% - 4% increase in completion rates year-over-year without dropouts in the high schools• Increase in students taking more college ready honors, AP and advanced courses

Digital Renaissance Success Outcomes:

Transforming Teaching & LearningBaldwin County Public Schools

Supporting the Digital Renaissance: Professional Development and Community Engagement

September 2012Day of Discovery Professional DevelopmentKick-Off Event for BCPS Administrators

July 2013Summer Showcase

February 2013Digital Renaissance Leadership Academy Launch Event

June 2013Principals Celebration to support use of digital media in the classroom

September 2013Discovery Educator Network STAR Ambassador Program Launch: Supports teachers through a variety of learning experiences as they integrate digital media and technology into teaching practice

November 2013Interactive Community Event to celebrate and showcase the launch of digital media and technology tools being utilized in BCPS classrooms December 2013

DRLA Celebration Event and Student Assembly: Featuring an interactive and inspirational address from special guest Danny Forster, Discovery Education’s Chief Engineering and Architecture Expert

February 2014Future@Now: Roadmap to the Digital Transition: Global Forum hosted by Discovery Education & featuring Dr. Alan T. Lee

Digital Learning Objects Utilized Year over Year:Student Usage & Teacher UsageJuly 2012 - January 2014

Effective use of digital media in the classroom has become widespread across the district. BCPS teachers have engaged their technology-savvy students with access to thousands of digital resources aligned to State and Common Core Standards. This strategy has increased student usage year-over-year.

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