VVSD Digital Learning Day Encourages Teachers to Share, Connect

Classrooms throughout Valley View School District 365U will once again join school districts across the world in celebrating Digital Learning Day, a Feb. 23 event that promotes the use of digital devices, educational software, mobile apps and online resources in 21st century classrooms.

“Last year, our technology team focused on bringing new, trending technology to schools with our Makerspace Road Show,” said VVSD Instructional Technology Specialist Mike de Leon. “Since then, we’ve worked with many schools to purchase items such as 3D printers, Spheros, Lego Mindstorms and Ozobots for their own Makerspaces."

“Our goal this year is to encourage teachers to share how they are using these new digital tools in their classrooms,” said VVSD Digital Learning Specialist Nicole Eimer. “We’re looking forward to seeing examples of creative lesson plans, successful student engagement, and collaboration between classrooms and schools.”

All Valley View educators have already been encouraged to share through Twitter how they plan to promote Digital Learning Day in their classrooms using the hashtags #VVSDLearns and #DLDay. Valley View School District’s Instructional Technology team will also reach out to teachers, asking them to be a part of the district-wide Digital Learning campaign.

“We want to inspire teachers to try something new in their classrooms, and allow them to connect to exemplary and forward-thinking educators right here at Valley View,” Eimer said.

The VVSD instructional technology team is also providing a “Connected Classroom website available to VVSD teachers. The site includes useful, and hopefully inspirational, information about digitally connecting classrooms using social media, class webpages, new educational practices, and innovative technology tools.

De Leon is hopeful that advances in technology and digital tools in the classroom will continue to spread district-wide.

“With this increased integration of technology in our classrooms, we are excited to see the innovation in both teaching and learning that will take place in the near future,” he said.

Submitted by Valley View School District