Task Force Gives State Legislature a Look Inside the 21st Century Classroom
Tuesday, Aug 26, 2008
Leaders of a technology task force challenged to identify ways Arkansas classrooms can adapt to current digital technology presented their recommendations to the Joint Committee on Advanced Communications and Information Technology at the Capitol Monday.
Headlining these efforts was the announcement of the Science and Mathematics Accessible Resource Tool (SMART) Portal, an interactive database that will allow teachers throughout the state to access and share lesson plans and professional development materials.
“Today’s digital world has a major impact on the way we communicate with one another, and the educational community must use these new developments to enhance the learning environment to adequately prepare students for the future,” said Gail McClure, Arkansas Science and Technology Authority (ASTA) Vice President, Research.
The SMART Portal will be accessible through the Internet and will contain “one-concept lesson plans” cross-referenced with the Arkansas Curriculum Framework and chosen for previously proven quality and engagement. Content added to the portal must meet the following three criteria:
(1) Address objectives in the Arkansas frameworks for core educational content.
(2) Have a technology component that will assist in preparing Arkansas students for a technology rich world.
(3) Include practice of knowledge-based or 21st Century skills that prepare students for the emerging challenges of a global economy. (The wording “21st Century Skills” is more common in educational usage than “knowledge-based” skills and is used by the Task Force for this reason).
The portal is a partnership effort of the Arkansas Education Telecommunication Network, the Arkansas Department of Education and the Arkansas Science & Technology Authority. Initial inclusions will focus on mathematics and sciences with lesson plans on additional subjects and interests to be added as development continues. A model of the portal was included in the presentation, and an official launch date is soon to be announced.
The technology task force also recommended that Arkansas become the 10th state in the nation to move into full participation in the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, a concept developing new standards that incorporate 21st century tools and learning skills. The partnership has been adopted by Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Participation would include embedding digital literacy skills into current standards and curricula and creating state and local infrastructure (bandwidth, hardware, software and intelligent classroom devices) that supports a 21st Century education by providing funding for equitable access to technology.
The technology task force was established by the Authority and the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Coalition after the Arkansas Legislature passed Act 2266 in 2005 to help address the challenges for education, economic development and community development brought on by the emerging global economy of the 21st century.
The task force made three additional recommendations to the committee in their report. Each is listed below with a brief description:
Manage Technology Infrastructure Standards For Arkansas Schools
Today’s classroom requires new tools beyond the notebook and pencil. Technological advancements have provided new equipment for learning. Arkansas should provide schools with technologies to support enriched learning to ensure adequate and equitable access to these technologies for all students and teachers. This includes network bandwidth and bandwidth management techniques; equipment such as interactive whiteboards, computer projectors and audio speakers; and instructional information on how to integrate these new technologies into the classroom.
Shared Use Of Facilities And Technology Resources
Arkansas should explore shared use of facilities and technology resources among all levels of education within a community and collaborate with Connect Arkansas to provide technology access in all areas of the state to support 21st century teaching and learning and economic development.
Establish A Permanent Advisory Committee
The Legislature should authorize continued citizen involvement by establishing a permanent advisory committee to the Authority. It should be made up of broad stakeholders to set strategic direction, provide oversight and evaluate progress.
For an executive summary or complete copy of the report, contact the Arkansas Science & Technology Authority at 501.683.4400.
About the Task Force
In the 2005 session, the Arkansas Legislature passed Act 2266 to help address the challenges for education, economic development and community development brought on by the emerging global economy of the 21st century. As a step towards meeting these challenges, Act 2266 authorized ASTA to develop a knowledge-based technology curriculum, with lesson plans and related materials, for use in Arkansas Public Schools, grades seven through twelve.
The Arkansas Science & Technology Authority, in cooperation with the STEM Coalition, established a task force of 48 volunteers to assist in the process and develop further legislative recommendations in this area. The task force began their endeavor in October 2005.
