A Dozen Reasons to Participate in Digital Learning Day

Looking to join a national movement? Get a jump-start and start planning for Digital Learning Day 2017.

For the second year in a row, Littleton Elementary School District (LESD) participated in National Digital Learning Day. The Feb. 17 event, which showcased district-wide technology integration, brought stakeholders from around the Valley together to tour schools and classrooms.

Rebecca Coda is a National Board Certified Teacher and Technology Specialist for LESD. In last month’s event, 60 individuals toured two schools each, traveling from location to location on district school buses. The Arizona educator shares 12 reasons your school community should participate in Digital Learning Day next year. The Board-certified teacher says joining the Digital Learning Day movement enables her district to build the following:

1. Community: It’s important to have one day set aside to showcase technology. It allows the district to create new, important partnerships.
2. Pride: Hosting community members allows others to see the pride educators take in their students and vice versa.
3. Goal: Showcasing student comprehension is more vibrant than touting a test score. Technology gives students and teachers an authentic reason to learn.
4. Real world connection: Linking classroom content allows students to see themselves in new ways. Often this leads to new career aspirations and builds student confidence.
5. Technological skills: Hosting visitors gives students the opportunity to practice new technology tools and skills with a purpose.
6. Oral communication: Students have a reason to rehearse content. It brings the goal of an assignment to life.
7. Written communication: This event gives students an authentic reason to write and articulate their understanding.
8. Motivation: Who isn’t excited to put forth the extra effort if they know someone is going to come and watch?
9. Purpose: Digital Learning Day allows individuals to see themselves as a contributor and difference maker.
10. Teamwork: Participants must rely on peers to do their part, while also feeling the need to complete a task as a group member.
11. Dedication: Students must work to meet a deadline.
12. Trust: Participants see the fruits of their labor and the plans their teachers have for them to learn in a relevant, engaging way.

According to Coda, LESD has 112 classrooms with 1:1 devices. Therefore, about 2,500 students experience technology-integrated learning. Digital Learning Day showcased coding, apps, computer proficiency showcase, and more.



Start making plans now to participate in National Digital Learning Day next year.