eSchool of the Month: Westside High School

Aug. 2, 2011 - PRLog -- Bethesda, Md. – eSchool News has chosen Westside High School (WHS), part of Nebraska’s Westside Community Schools, as its “eSchool of the Month” for July/August.

Westside owes much of its success to its focus on effective ed-tech integration that extends learning beyond the school bell. Its one-to-one computing program encourages student creativity and productivity—and school leaders are committed to using technology to meet the unique needs of every learner.

All certified staff and 1,952 students have had Apple laptops since the district’s one-to-one computing initiative was first approved in 2004, says Kent Kingston, the district’s executive director of administrative and technology services. Standard software includes Microsoft Office, iWorks, and the iLife multimedia suite. Other useful software programs, like GarageBand, Comic Life, and Photo Booth, unleash creativity. In addition, some or all machines run specific applications recommended by staff, such as CAD for Engineering Technology classes. All WHS students can access Wi-Fi and printer services throughout the building.

Students access course documents and resources, take assessments, or participate in class discussions via the Blackboard learning management system or building wikis and blogs.

Social media integration is also a big hit at the school. Teachers and students podcast, tweet school news, and use iPods, iPads, notebooks, Flip video cameras and green screen technology to improve teaching and learning.

To learn more about Westside High School, please visit http://www.eschoolnews.com/2011/08/01/at-westside-high-le....

To nominate your own school or district for this award, and to see past winners, go to http://www.eschoolnews.com/eschool-of-the-month.

About eSchool Media
eSchool Media Inc. is a news and information organization delivering print, web, e-mail and video communications to nearly one million K-20 decision makers and influencers throughout North America and around the world. Its information networks provide education-technology content and services for leaders in schools and colleges and help educators successfully use technology and internet to transform education and achieve their educational goals. eSchool News is the flagship publication of eSchool Media Inc., which also includes eCampus News Network, serving higher education exclusively, and eClassroom News, an electronic publication network for teachers and other classroom practitioners.

With more than 280,000 registered members and more than 5 million page views a month, eSchool News Online is the No. 1 website for ed-tech daily news and information for K-20 decision makers.

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eSchool News provides the news and information necessary to help K-20 decision-makers successfully use technology and the internet to transform North America’s schools and colleges and achieve their educational goals.