KANNAPOLIS — Students at several schools in Kannapolis traded their pencils and paper for keyboards and screens Wednesday.
The event, called Digital Learning Day, was designed to help teachers and schools showcase successful instructional practices and effective use of technology in classrooms.
At Jackson Park Elementary, teachers implemented a “no pencil zone.” Students used iPads, laptops, and other technology to do math, reading and science lessons.
Jackson Park Principal Nick Carlascio said his entire staff got excited about the idea, and every teacher wanted to be part of Digital Learning Day.
“It was a big success,” he said in a Kannapolis City Schools press release. “Teachers and students were extremely engaged in learning, and I heard people say that it was the best day ever. The digital learning experience really energized learning and got everyone excited. We will definitely do it again next year.”
Digital Learning Day is sponsored by the Alliance for Excellent Education and focuses on good teaching practices and using the tools of technology.
In 2008 and 2009, Kannapolis City Schools (KCS) was one of only four districts that received back-to-back IMPACT technology grants. Those grants provided more than $4.1 million for installing technology as well as training teachers in the best ways to use technology to improve learning.
In November 2012, Governor Bev Perdue honored Kannapolis Middle School for winning the Innovator in Digital Learning Award. KCS also has hundreds of iPads in classrooms thanks to grants from the Math Science Partnership and the Kannapolis Education Foundation.
Other schools in Kannapolis also had teachers that took part in Digital Learning Day. They did paperless activities and used iPads for lessons.
Brenda McCombs, Kannapolis City Schools’ Director of Instructional Technology, said the response to Digital Learning Day has been extremely positive, and she expects even more KCS schools and teachers to take part next year.