Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School is gearing up for Digital Learning Day which will be celebrated on February 1, 2012.  This is part of a national awareness campaign to celebrate innovative teachers and instructional strategies.  “Technology has changed the way we do everything from grocery shopping, to listening to music, and reading books.  It’s time to take action to leverage this potential with more innovative uses of technology in our nation's schools to ensure every student experiences personalized learning with great teaching.  Digital learning is any instructional practice that is effectively using technology to strengthen the student learning experience.  Digital learning encompasses a wide spectrum of tools and practice, including using online and formative assessment, increasing focus and quality of teaching resources and time, online content and courses, applications of technology in the classroom and school building, adaptive software for students with special needs, learning platforms, participating in professional communities of practice, providing access to high level and challenging content and instruction, and many other advancements technology provides to teaching and learning.  In particular, blended learning is any time a student learns, at least in part, at a supervised brick-and-mortar location away from home and, at least in part, through online delivery with some element of student control over time, place, path, and/or pace.”  For example, on January 3, 2012, students in the computer labs at MVMMS began using a new version of Microsoft Office 2010 that was installed over the winter vacation.  Middle School students became familiar with OneNote 2010, allowing them to increase communication and develop digital notebooks.  In their technology education classes, students learned how to gather notes and information in one place, back up valuable information, find information quickly, and work together more effectively.  Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School teachers and students will be experimenting with a variety of technology tools that will excite, challenge, and foster creative digital learning.  Digital Learning Day 2012 is conducted by the Alliance for Excellent Education (AEE) and is designed to celebrate leadership and instructional innovation that improves learning for all.  For more information, contact Mrs. Miles, MVMMS computer teacher, at jmiles@melrose.mec.edu; Mr. Greer, MVMMS technology education teacher, at ggreer@melrose.mec.edu; and/or Mr. Bueno, MVMMS design and engineering teacher, at bbueno@melrose.mec.edu.  Gear up for digital learning!

                     Posted by Principal Brow - 01/03/2012