New “Get Your Tech On” Effort Launched to Support Teachers Integrating Digital Technology in the Classroom
Arlington, VA, September 16, 2013 – Today PBS LearningMedia announced that more than 1 million educators now have registered access to the award-winning digital learning service. PBS LearningMedia, a partnership of PBS and WGBH Educational Foundation, connects students and educators with more than 30,000 high-quality digital resources to bring lessons to life.
Earlier this year, PBS LearningMedia launched a premium tier with enhanced features and functionality available to states and districts. PBS LearningMedia Custom is currently rolling out in multiple districts across the country, along with statewide distribution in Kentucky, New York and South Carolina.
As part of an ongoing effort to support educators using digital media nationwide, PBS LearningMedia is kicking off “Get Your Tech On” to encourage more teachers to use digital technology and resources in their classrooms. Today through November 1, educators can access free resource collections, webinars, professional development opportunities and whitepapers.
“We are thrilled that more than one-third of educators nationwide are using PBS LearningMedia as a resource to build their digital classrooms,” said Alicia Levi, managing director, PBS LearningMedia. “By encouraging teachers to get savvy with tech tools, we hope to serve as a partner and guide in providing the knowledge and support educators need to better integrate digital learning into their classrooms.”
PBS LearningMedia is hosting four free webinars for teachers as part of “Get Your Tech On.” The webinars include:
- “Get Your Tech On”: PBS LearningMedia 101
Speakers: Mike Gorman and Kristin Lehner
September 30, 2013 at 6pm EST
Educators can register to attend here: http://ow.ly/ozbSi
Digital media experts Mike Gorman and Kristin Lehner will guide teachers through an array of rich science, math, English/language and arts content available in PBS LearningMedia to inspire their teaching, enhance learning and empower students.
- Let’s Get Social! How to Effectively Incorporate Social Media Into Your Classroom
Hosted by PBS LearningMedia + Edmodo
October 8, 2013 at 7pm EST
Educators can register to attend here: http://ow.ly/ozbP7
PBS LearningMedia and Edmodo will host a discussion about integrating social media into the classroom by showcasing best practices, real-life examples and helpful tools and tips that can help get educators connected today.
- Flipped Classrooms For Real Learning: Definitions, Resources and Tools
Speakers: Jon Bergmann & Mike Gorman
October 16, 2013 at 4pm EST
Educators can register to attend here: http://ow.ly/oyA58
Jon Bergmann, a pioneer in the Flipped Class Movement and co-author of Flip Your Classroom: Reach Every Student in Every Class Every Day, and Mike Gorman, 21st-century educational technology and learning expert, will introduce the flipped learning model and give users practical guidelines for flipping their classroom.
- Plug In: How to Integrate Tablets, Smart Phones, Devices & More
Speakers: Leslie Fisher
October 21, 2013 at 6PM EST
Educators can register to attend here: http://ow.ly/oE2uU
Leslie Fisher, the Director of Fisher Technologies Inc. and K-12 technology expert, will discuss how mobile technology can be successfully integrated into classrooms by highlighting top applications, success stories, pragmatic tips for getting started and solutions for tackling technology/infrastructure challenges.
“Get Your Tech On” comes at a time when teachers are integrating digital learning into their classrooms more than ever. Earlier this year, a PBS LearningMedia survey of 500 pre-K-12 teachers revealed that nearly half (48%) of teachers reported using technology for online lesson plans, and just under half (45%) use technology to give students access to web-based educational games or activities. Seven in 10 teachers (69%) surveyed said educational technology allows them to “do much more than ever before” for their students.
About PBS LearningMedia
As America’s largest classroom, teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS LearningMedia, a partnership of PBS and WGBH Educational Foundation, is a free media-on-demand service available to educators nationwide. It brings together the best of public media and delivers research-based, classroom-ready rich media experiences that engage students in exploring curriculum concepts that align with National and Common Core State Standards. Drawing from critically acclaimed PBS programs such as NOVA, Frontline, American Experience, and PBS KIDS programs like Sid The Science Kid, as well as content from organizations including The National Archives Smithsonian, NPR and NASA, the free service offers teachers access to more than 30,000 videos, images and articles to enrich classroom instruction. Nationwide, more than 1 million teachers have registered access to PBS LearningMedia. More information about PBS LearningMedia is available at www.pbslearningmedia.org or by following PBS LearningMedia on Twitter and Facebook.
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Media Contacts:
Melissa Mills, PBS; 703.739.8134; mkmills@pbs.org
Meredith Gandy, 360 Public Relations; 646.568.3238; mgandy@360pr.com
