The introduction of new technologies, combined with a growing emphasis on cross-curricular teaching and collaboration, and a desire to make school buildings more accessible to community members, is forcing educators to explore space alternatives in both new construction and renovation projects. Join educators, architects, engineers, and networking specialists as they share experiences, take a peek into the future, and identifying designs that work well to improve the teaching and learning environment throughout a school. The physical quality of a school district's facilities greatly impacts the level of academic performance, the caliber of retained staff, and the amount of funding a district receives. The session presents invaluable methods to empower school officials to quantify building conditions, establish facility benchmarks for success, and promote a well-maintained learning environment. This session focuses on the process of integrating technology into a facility design that places online, research-based, and multimedia technology at the fingertips of classroom teachers and students, in addition to providing teachers with classroom management tools.
Presenters concentrate on vocational, high school, middle, and elementary schools.
Educators discuss both the physical changes and concepts of building design and the necessary support structure that quality technology integration requires. The participants include a Superintendent with experience writing specifications for schools of the future and two computer teachers who have developed a support structure for consistent technology implementation. Booth visitors learn about a number of components involved in changing the educational environment for improved learning. This workshop discusses how technology affects buildings, new or old, and what districts can and should do to accommodate technology. Participants share technology solutions and ideas with others who are facing similar challenges.