Westford schools embrace technology advances

Alexander Silva writes, "Westford schools are preparing to embrace the digital revolution by creating a digital learning plan to help guide the district through the transition." 
 

Photo: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The days of pencil and paper are coming to a close as students use the technology at their homes and in their pockets more and more for everyday school assignments. 

“We are looking to shift away from the traditional model of transferring knowledge to students,” said Westford Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Kerry Clery. 

The 2014-2015 school year was year one of the five-year implementation plan, which passed unanimously at the School Committee’s Sept. 23 meeting. Today’s students need to learn skills such as critical thinking, creativity, communication and collaboration in a connected classroom if they are to be prepared for the jobs of the future, according to Westford Public Schools Director of Digital Learning Julie Baudreau. 

“We need to incorporate these as part of the 21st-century classroom,” Baudreau said, “It’s really important for students that we develop skills that will be useful for them in the future.” 

Students aren’t the only ones who need to adapt to a digital classroom. Teachers need to learn new instructional practices to help teach students how to excel in the online world, according to Baudreau. 

“Now, our students live in two worlds. We have the physical world and we have the online world,” said Baudreau, “We need to make sure… our teachers have the skills to help the students learn these skills online as well as the physical world.” 
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Source: Westford Eagle