Atomic TechCore Supports Districts in Meeting Tech Components of Common Core Standards
Atomic Learning announces the early availability of the new Atomic TechCore solution. Atomic Learning is an edtech leader known for its professional development and tech integration tools for the K-12 market. The Atomic TechCore solution was developed in response to district needs to address the technology components embedded in the Common Core State Standards.
Several states have not yet adopted the Common Core standards, but all students will be influenced through textbook changes, professional development planning and shared curriculum resources. For the first time, an eighth grade student in Tennessee will be required to learn the same curriculum as a student in California, Wisconsin, or Florida.
Little Falls Educator Recognized in Annual Leader of the Year Program
Mark Diehl, District Technology Coordinator at Little Falls Community Schools ISD 482 was recently recognized as a runner-up in Tech & Learning magazine’s 24th annual Leader of the Year program. According to the publication, the visionaries who were named winners and runners-up exemplified extraordinary education technology leadership, often working within budgetary restrictions and limited resources.
Diehl has been the District Technology Coordinator at Little Falls Community Schools since 2008. He has over 14 years experience with educational technology, and previously served as a technology specialist in the Brooklyn Center School District. During his career, he has planned and managed 1:1 laptop initiatives, installation and upgrade of technology infrastructure, planning and installation of a VoIP telephony system, and many other projects that have assisted students and staff in the integration of technology as a tool for student instruction in the curriculum. Diehl holds a MA in Learning Technologies from the University of St. Thomas and a BA in Elementary Education from Bethel University.
Atomic Learning Recognized as Top Online PD Provider
District Administration and EdTech Digest have named Atomic Learning’s online professional development solution as a top product in recent award announcements.
Atomic Learning was named one of 100 winners of the District Administration Readers’ Choice Top 100 Products of 2011. The prestigious acknowledgement is given annually to K12 education products that have supported education innovation. The winners were selected by the editors of District Administration from hundreds of nominations submitted by readers, including school superintendents and district-level directors in districts across the United States. The winning products were determined by the quantity of nominations received per product, as well as an evaluation of product quality based upon readers’ nominations and explanations.
Atomic Learning Now Blackboard Signature Partner
Atomic Learning, award-winning provider of online training, has joined the Blackboard Partnerships™ program as a Blackboard Signature Partner™.
A trusted training solutions provider, Atomic Learning provides online resources to help colleges and universities with technology training and support. Short and concise “how to” tutorials on popular software applications and learning management systems, as well as workshops on educational technology concepts help faculty, staff and students learn how to efficiently integrate and effectively utilize technology.
Atomic Catalyst PD Courses Provide Flexibility and Collaboration
Atomic Learning introduces Atomic Catalyst, instructor-led PD courses. Atomic Learning is an edtech leader known for its professional development and tech integration tools for the K-12 market. Atomic Catalyst courses provide educators the flexible fit of an online course paired with the peer connection of traditional professional development sessions.
Focused on the effective application of technology in the classroom, participants will attend weekly 1-hour webinars led by a qualified instructor, participate in online discussions and complete and submit course assignments over the course of a six- week period to help build and apply new strategies and skills.
Texas District Finds Support for UDL and RTI Programs through Atomic Learning
At North East ISD in San Antonio, Texas, professional development training from Atomic Learning helps support Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles and is helping students in Response to Intervention (RTI) programs by giving general education teachers access to technology training to support all learners.
North East ISD has just over 65,000 students, and over 4,000 faculty and staff who all have access to the Atomic Learning Assistive Technology collection of training. This is also open to the students and parents in the district. “Atomic Learning is useful for a variety of students, whether general education or gifted and talented,” North East’s Program Coordinator, Terri Grundy said.
Research Shows Atomic Learning Use Impacts Student Success in Math and Reading
During the 2010-2011 school year, SEG Measurement conducted a year-long, multi-site study with approximately 1,000 6th, 7th and 8th grade teachers and students in 42 classrooms in Minnesota, Missouri and Texas, to evaluate the impact of the Atomic Learning professional development solution on student achievement. The results are in, and it is clear that students’ achievement improves when taught by teachers who receive tech integration professional development.
Atomic Learning Announces Certificates of Completion Feature
Atomic Learning now offers Certificates of Completion for individuals completing a full tutorial series or training assignment. Each certificate provides a summary of the time an individual has dedicated to self-improvement and is a great tool to:
- Track Professional Development Hours
- Build a Skills Portfolio
- Create an Evidence of Learning Repository
- Earn Recognition Among Peers
Star Tribune names Atomic Learning to Star Tribune's Top Workplaces 2012
Atomic Learning has been named one of the Top 100 Workplaces in Minnesota based on an employee-based survey project from the Star Tribune. The Star Tribune Top Workplaces special section was published in the Star Tribune on Sunday, June 17. The report can also be found here.
Produced by the same team that compiles the 21-year-old Star Tribune 100 report of the best-performing public companies in Minnesota, Top Workplaces recognizes the most progressive companies in Minnesota based on employee opinions about company leadership, communication, career opportunities, workplace environment, managerial skills, pay and benefits. The analysis included responses from nearly 71,200 employees at Minnesota public, private and nonprofit organizations.
Research Shows Technology Needs Professional Development
A recent article in the New York Times highlighted a technology-rich school which had stagnated test scores. The premise of the article was that technology does not increase test scores, therefore it has little benefit to the classroom. What the article does not explore is the impact of professional development in the use of technology in the classroom.
Without instruction, most tools are less effective. Atomic Learning has recently partnered with SEG Research to complete a year-long study to determine the effects of technology in the classroom when teachers have been given access to professional development on technology integration and the infusion of 21st Century Skills. A full research report will be released soon, but the preliminary data has reflected significant improvement in students test results when their teachers receive additional professional development on technology integration.
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