Together with the Corporation for National and Community Service

Jan 25, 2010 17:00 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft and the Corporation for National and Community Service have selected six US-based schools to participate in an initiative designed to explore the role technology can play into the evolution of teaching and learning. The six institutions are from California, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia and will participate in the Service & Technology Academic Resource Team (START). Of course, START is just one of the projects in which the Redmond company is looking to technology to provide answers for the schools, teachers and students of tomorrow.

“At first I wasn’t sure how a project like this could work and how it could improve my students’ academic outcomes. After I stepped back and let my students teach me about technology, I realized the tremendous benefits of these service-learning projects,” noted Linda Clifton, principal at Tupelo Middle School. “Teachers have been amazed at the things students can do with technology and by integrating students’ expertise in technology into the learning process, you give them the opportunity to expand their learning opportunities, while creating a much-needed technology support system for the teachers.”

Tupelo Middle School, Tupelo, Miss., Lower Eastside PS 515, New York, N.Y., East Garner Magnet Middle School, Garner, N.C., Parkway West High School, Philadelphia, Pa., and Forest Park High School, Woodbridge, Va. will all receive grants for their participation in START. At the same time, the schools will also act as national laboratory sites for the integration of service-learning and technology into the classroom.

What START is designed to do is to revamp the role of the student in the classroom, giving children an active position in technology-focused service-learning. In essence, students get to partner with teachers and make use of their technology skills.

“We must start thinking differently about traditional teaching and learning models and how we can prepare our students for the future,” added Mary Cullinane, director of innovation for U.S. Education at Microsoft. “Combining service opportunities with technology needs in the classroom prepares students with the 21st century skills they need today and in the future.”