Futurekids Enters Second-Year Partnership with Intel, Adobe, Lenovo and Technology & Learning Magazine to Create 21st Century Connections Technology Resource for Schools

Building on an extremely successful first year, Futurekids is again teaming with Intel, Adobe, Lenovo and Technology & Learning Magazine to bring classroom technology into the 21st century.

Becoming a 21st century classroom is now much easier with a major new information portal for administrators, teachers and students. This initiative began last year as a partnership between the technology companies, which are now expanding content and depth of information with continued emphasis on 21st century technology and technology skill sets in the classroom.

The web site, www.21centuryconnections.com, is dedicated to delivering technology solutions that allow students to explore ways to learn new skills and use tools that thoroughly engage them. School districts are looking for ways to help students acquire these new skills while they also address NCLB mandates.

“All of us are committed to producing the very best students in America and beyond,” explained Dzana Homan, CEO of Futurekids. “Today, that means we have to educate our students to not only be book smart, but also have the technology skills needed to succeed in today’s global workforce. Technology can help provide faster information for processing information, analyzing results, and communicating effectively so they can collaborate, solve problems and make decisions. It’s a whole new 21st century skill set.”

As part of the partnership, teachers, administrators and students can log onto www.21centuryconnections.com and learn about best practice techniques for creating a learning environment that takes advantage of the latest software, hardware, assessment and professional development tools.

In addition, the group will hold a series of educational symposiums for school districts and technology directors across the country. The first, a CoSN Breakfast, is scheduled for March 11, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency, Crystal City, in Arlington, Virg. Other events are scheduled for Bellevue, Washington in April and the N.E.C.C. Conference in San Antonio, Texas this summer.

“Futurekids is proud to continue our second-year involvement with such an important initiative as 21st Century Connections,” continues Homan. “All of our partners believe that technology has to play an integral role in learning effectiveness. Research bears that out time and again.

But at Futurekids, we believe it’s not just hardware or software. An integrated technology program should also include benchmarked assessment and professional development programs to augment the plan. What good is technology if a teacher or a student doesn’t know how to use it?”

The group publishes an ongoing newsletter filled with tips and how-to articles on technology integration in education as well as hardware and software tips. Also available is an online eBook entitled “Technology Planning: Building Supper and Communication.” Individuals can sign up for the complimentary newsletter and eBook at the 21st Century Connections web site.

“Working with some of the brightest minds and trendsetters in technology is really inspiring,” says Homan, who was recently selected as a member of the Women’s Leadership Board of Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. “All of us are committed to making a significant impact on education, and technology gives us the tools to do that on a broader scale with greater speed.”

About the Companies

About Futurekids
Futurekids is the premier provider of technology teacher training solutions for schools and universities around the world. Futurekids has a 22-year record of success in technology education. Their core competency is providing technology training as it relates to teaching and learning. They have relationships and achievements with many key educational partners such as Intel, IBM and Dell.  For more information on Futurekids, please visit http://www.futurekids.com.

Lenovo
Lenovo is an innovative, international technology company formed as a result of the acquisition by the Lenovo Group of the IBM Personal Computing Division. As a global leader in the PC market, Lenovo develops, manufactures and markets cutting-edge, high-quality PC products and value-added professional services that provide customers around the world with smarter ways to be productive and competitive.

Intel
Intel has for nearly 40 years pushed the boundaries of technological innovation to make people's lives more exciting, fulfilling, and easier to manage. Intel provides the brainpower and expertise in creating the most leading-edge processor and wireless technology standards to help people connect and access information anytime, anywhere.

Adobe
Adobe revolutionizes how the world engages with ideas and information. For 25 years, the company's award-winning software and technologies have redefined business, entertainment, and personal communications by setting new standards for producing and delivering content that engages people virtually anywhere at anytime. Adobe is one of the world's largest and most diversified software companies.

Technology & Learning Magazine
Technology & Learning (www.techLEARNING.com), published by NewBay Media LLC, is a leading publication in the K-12 educational technology market. In 2006, Technology & Learning was recognized for its commitment to excellence, receiving several of the industry's top media accolades.

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