Let's give a hearty congratulations to Dr. Kecia Ray, recently featured online as a "global hero in education."



Kecia is in charge of Learning Technology for Metro Schools, which means she helps teachers, schools, and the district integrate technology into curriculum and the classroom. Of course she does so much more than that, like designing and launching MNPS Virtual School.

For Dr. Kecia Ray, creating a classroom for today’s students means a complete re-imagination of what the classroom can and should look like. And technology is just one component. “My work is focused on increasing the use of technology in classrooms, both formal and informal,” she says. “I have worked with museums to redesign environments into more engaging learning spaces for informal learning, and I’ve worked with higher education and K12 to rethink teaching and learning.” Currently, Dr. Ray works in the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools as the Executive Director of Learning Technology. “A focus of our department is to design blended learning environments in our schools,” she adds. Two years ago, Ray and her team designed the state’s first diploma-granting high school, and they are currently planning to redesign classrooms and instruction to incorporate blended learning models and project-based learning into K-12 classrooms.

The article also includes an in depth interview with Kecia where she talks about her dreams for educational technology in Metro Schools and the world.



Read the full article.

The holidays came a little early for the students and staff at Old Center Elementary this year when Zagg, a mobile device accessories company, zealously handed over 56 brand new iPads, covers for all, three digital cameras, and new earbuds for every child and teacher!

Principal Dr. Betsy Potts has big plans for the iPads. She says the teachers will use them for professional development and to enhance classroom learning. The students will get to test educational software and programs, as well as get a little practice working with technology.

ZAGG, which stands for Zealous About Great Gadgets, is based in Utah. Earlier this year, the company decided they wanted to do a bit to give back, particularly to schools. They launched an online promotion in which consumers could enter to win a free home computer and $25,000 in technology for their favorite school. Marveya Gooch, proud parent of two Old Center students, logged on and entered…38 times! And it’s a good thing she did. Gooch was selected out of nearly a million entries!

How far should technology reach in the classroom? What tech do students need to be using to prepare them for the 21st century? Can you have too much in every day lessons?

We've come a long way from Apple IIe computers and word processing. But we can't continue to plan for the future without hearing from the ones who matter most: students, parents, and teachers.

We want you to help us plan for how technology moves forward in education. What tools should we be using? In what ways? How often? These are the questions you can help us answer. Your input will help shape long term technology goals in Nashville and the rest of the country.

Please take a few moments to complete the Speak Up survey from Project Tomorrow.

The Virtual School is open and looking for students! Metro Schools’ newest and most high-tech learning experience has 135 open spots for full-time students and several more left for part-timers, as well.

At Virtual School students can take courses online in to receive a quality education in a virtual environment. Students will be taught online by highly qualified, certified teachers.



Full-time students can earn their diplomas by earning up to six credits per year. They must apply and meet the qualifying criteria.

Part-time students can choose from dozens of courses offered at Virtual School. These courses may not be offered at every school, but are available to every student online. These include courses in all core subjects, Health & Wellness, and AP courses like English, English Lit, Biology, Marcoeconomics, Psychology, US History & Statistics.

Students interested in part-time work through Virtual School should contact their School Counselors. Much more information is available on the Virtual School website, www.vlearn.mnps.org.

Time is of the essence. If you want to take advantage of this great opportunity, don’t delay! A whole world of classes is available to every high school student online. Sign up! Take part!

Here in the MNPS Communications Office we don't play favorites. But we're quite fond of Overton High School teacher-innovator Adam Taylor.

Adam is a Teacher of the Year Finalist who never stops looking for ways to engage his students. Lucky for them, he's a self-professed technology nerd who has been using social media and mobile devices to increase class participation and even hold classes and lectures after school hours and on snow days!