1st+Annual+Demonstrations+of+Digital+Learning

It has been a ritual at CAPCS since its inception to include on its calendar events that highlight the accomplishments of students. Historically, we receive our highest turnouts of families at awards ceremonies and "graduations". Another "highlight" event that hasn't fared as well is our quarterly Demonstrations of Learning. Everyone loves the idea, but it has yet to truly capture the essence of what it was intended to be. Some of the reasons have been great student exhibits but limited parent/community support, inadequate marketing and low levels of teacher and student support. The event has even been cancelled altogether. As we continue to work through the evolution of the DOLs, we'd like to propose that we touch it up with a 21st century brush. We will make SY 2013-2014 the year of the 1st Annual Demonstrations of Digital Learning Day!

CAPCS' DDLD will coincide with Digital Learning Day 2014, which is billed as "a nationwide celebration of innovative teachers and common-sense, effective applications of digital learning in America’s schools that support teachers, improve learning, and provide options for students to achieve at their highest potential." It takes place on February 5, 2014 in schools and classrooms all around the nation. There is also a "high-profile national Digital Learning Day celebration in Washington, DC" planned for that day.

Action Plan:


 * 1) Include February 5th, 2014 as Digital Learning Day on school calendar for all campuses
 * 2) Develop the culture of digital learning at all campuses, at all grade levels (ongoing with support from ALs, coaches, SPED, ELL)
 * 3) How can we develop this culture? Can we include classroom competitions? Can we institute special projects that could be completed by this date? Even encouraging teams of students to collaborate digitally while outside of the classroom.
 * 4) Spread the word to all teachers and academy leaders that this event is being planned. Ask for input (surveymonkey) on how to pull it off effectively and without interruption of instruction (school/teacher buy-in is crucial)
 * 5) Provide examples and illustrations on how EVERYONE can participate. These include demonstrating an amazing morning meeting on your IWB which is something we are asking them to do anyway! There are aspects of digital learning happening everyday. The purpose of the event is to highlight them.
 * 6) Spread the word to parents, BOT members and community members to attend. In order to bring this event to all who wish to see it, we will broadcast it live to the world via our CAPCS Connects Ustream account, Parents, board members, friends of CAPCS can tune in from work or home or from their mobile devices and be able to peak into our **BEST** digital learning environments. (We will have a presentation schedule that will provide a description of the classroom lesson/activity that we are highlighting. We could spend 15 mins in a classroom and then bounce our cameras to the next one. Building to building, classroom to classroom for the whole day! ) We can even have the students create a short video tutorial of how their parents can set up a Ustream account at home or work so they are ready for the show!
 * 7) Be ready to go live on February 5th.
 * 8) Have a presence at the National Event (How?)

Check the success of our first Digital Learning Day event. Click on our CAPCS Channel below http://www.ustream.tv/search?q=capcs

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