CoSN Fast Forwards to the Year 2010 in New Report

Press Release:

Ted Richane
The Fratelli Group
202/822-9491
trichane@fratelli.com

Digital Learning Spaces 2010 Provides Roadmap for Transforming Public Education with Emerging Education Technologies

Authors to Review Report During October 5 Webcast

Washington, DC (September 27, 2005) - In a report released today, the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) identifies the technologies that have the potential to reshape education by 2010, and explore how technology decision makers need to plan ahead. Digital Learning Spaces 2010 demonstrates how technology can be used to customize learning environments for children, enhancing their educational experiences. The report is the latest in a series of reports by CoSN that are designed to promote and support the use of new technologies in K-12 education. The report will be formally released via a webcast, the first of CoSN’s 2005-2006 Internet & Education Webcast Series, which will take place Wednesday, October 5 from 1-2 pm EDT.

“Now is the time for schools to begin their plans for 2010,’” said Sheryl Abshire, Chair of the Consortium for School Networking, and Administrative Coordinator of Technology in Calcasieu Parish School System in Lake Charles, LA. “With increased affordability of equipment, advancements in wireless technology and customizable software for personalized teaching, we need to plan today for our kids’ future.”

The report begins with three examples of the digital classrooms we could see in 2010, the technologies that would make them possible and the ways they will maximize student learning. All the examples - an integrated math/science class, a fifth grade elementary school class and two virtual student learning experiences - demonstrate the learning capabilities schools can provide in five years if they begin implementing these technologies now.

“The technologies discussed in this report are on the market today, and many schools are on their way to achieving their goals for 2010,” said Ray Rose, coordinator of this report and Vice President, Concord Consortium. “We hope this report will provide K-12 schools with an understanding that beginning today to implement these technologies will enormously benefit the students of tomorrow.”

The report also addresses the ways education policymakers can create an environment conducive to building the public vision, will and capacity to create effective learning spaces over the next five years. CoSN also provides a roadmap so that educators and policymakers can begin building the technology infrastructure today that will enable the learning spaces of 2010, including specific recommendations on connectivity systems and hardware.

“In creating this report, our committee spent time grappling with what technologies are emerging and the realities for bringing them into schools,” said Karen Greenwood Henke, chair of CoSN’s Emerging Technologies Committee and founder of Nimble Press. “We hope that K-12 technology decision makers will use this report to start planning today for richer, more customized learning spaces for students and teachers in 2010.”

Support for Digital Learning Spaces 2010 was provided by the ADC Foundation, Alcatel and Education Networks of America (ENA).

For more information about the report launch webcast event, please visit www.cosn.org/events/webcasts/2006.cfm. To register, contact Michelle Shirley at 866.267.8747 x131 or michelle@cosn.org. For more information about all CoSN’s Emerging Technologies reports, including Digital Learning Spaces 2010, please visit www.cosn.org/resources/emerging_technologies/.

About the Consortium for School Networking
Founded in 1992, the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), a national non-profit organization, is the premier voice in education technology leadership. CoSN’s mission is to advance the K-12 education community’s capacity to effectively use technology to improve teaching and learning through advocacy, policy and leadership development.

CoSN leadership initiatives include: Accessible Technologies for All Students (www.accessibletech4all.org); Cyber Security for the Digital District (www.securedistrict.org); Data-Driven Decision Making (www.3d2know.org); Safeguarding the Wired Schoolhouse (www.safewiredschools.org); Taking Total Cost of Ownership to the Classroom (www.classroomtco.org); and the development of the Council of School District Chief Technology Officers (CTO Council).

CoSN’s members represent school districts, state and local education agencies, nonprofits, companies and individuals who share our vision. Visit www.cosn.org or phone 866.267.8747 to find out more about CoSN’s programs and activities supporting leadership development to ensure that information technology has a direct and positive impact on student learning in elementary and secondary schools.

About the ADC Foundation
The ADC Foundation-charitable arm of ADC Telecommunications, Inc.-was founded in 1999. The foundation's goal is to provide social and economic value by encouraging employee contributions and by making direct grants in two strategic focus areas: mathematics and science education, and nonprofit access to technology.

About Alcatel
Alcatel provides communications solutions to telecommunication carriers, Internet service providers and enterprises for delivery of voice, data and video applications to their customers or employees. Alcatel brings its leading position in fixed and mobile broadband networks; applications and services, to help its partners and customers build a user-centric broadband world. With sales of EURO 12.3 billion and 56,000 employees in 2004, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries.

About Education Networks of America (ENA)
ENA is a Managed Internet Service Provider that builds and supports unique technology network solutions for K-12 school systems, Higher Education agencies and state governments across statewide and local networks. ENA provides network evaluation, design, delivery, integration, and management solutions. ENA’s network services and scalable technology solutions increase access to online information, facilitate collaboration, increase productivity and decrease the costs of information management.