EdTech Associates Creates Successful 21st Century Classrooms through ARRA

April 26, 2011 - PRLog -- In a 21st Century world, students deserve and need educational learning tools that roll with the times to keep them engaged. And that’s precisely where EdTech Associates is making its mark.

Using stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, EdTech Associates has conducted the professional development of three ARRA Title II grants in New Hampshire — in math, science and literacy — with the goal of creating 21st Century classrooms.

“Using Moodle to support math instruction has allowed teachers to create ‘digital learning environments’ where students have 24/7 access to their math curriculum including math videos and interactive math practice,” said Kathleen McClaskey, President of EdTech Associates.

Moodle, a free open-source learning management system (LMS), provides universal access to e-textbooks, curriculum materials, online resources and web links for independent practice of skills, visual glossaries, forums and assessments. EdTech Associates offers training for teachers in this LMS using Tools for Learning™ Professional Development Service in literacy, math and science. They learn to use desktop software, online apps and Web 2.0 tools, which help engage all students in researched-based instruction to become independent learners for life.

The 3rd grade teacher from Unity Elementary in New Hampshire, noted that since she has built her math curriculum in Moodle, students are more engaged in math both in and out of school. She says, "Moodle was the key to extend the learning day and improve math scores."

McClaskey added, “Classrooms have more personalized learning with either a 1:1 learning environment or a 5:1 scenario. In a short time, instructional practices have changed and engagement in learning is evident.”

EdTech Associates will also introduce a new service to the K-12 market called Built in Moodle™. It will offer a range of professional development services to support schools and school districts that want to create universally-designed all-digital 21st Century learning environments in Moodle.

EdTech Associates is an education technology consulting company offering services and resources to assist schools and school districts that want to create 21st Century teaching and learning environments. Its focus is on helping schools to understand how to create universally-designed learning environments in every classroom where all students can achieve.

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Founded on a vision that every child should have the opportunity to develop a foundation of 21st Century learning skills, EdTech Associates provides services to empower all schools and students to succeed.

Our Mission is to...

> Deliver effective professional development programs to schools while providing educators skills in designing standards-based lessons and curriculum in support of “all learners”.

> Design customized technology solutions for schools, districts or individuals while providing a lasting “Foundation, Framework and Direction” for the future.

> Collaborate with schools, organizations and companies seeking to develop and establish 21st Century digital learning environments where all students can learn.

Contact Kathleen McClaskey at khm@edtech-associates.com for additional information.