New York, NY – October 15, 2009 – eChalk, the instructional technology company that pioneered online communication tools to connect school leaders, teachers, students and parents, recently signed onto Project RED, joining the ranks of Intel, Apple, Pearson and Qwest. The new project’s research and advocacy efforts aim to measure the transformative effects of educational technology in ways that better demonstrate impact and cost savings implications for states, districts and schools.
“We’re looking closely at schools and districts that have 1:1 initiatives and who provide Internet access to every student to determine best practices. Thirty years, 40,000,000 computers and $60,000,000,000 after microcomputers first entered U.S. classrooms, we’re on the hunt for compelling results and secure funding streams for technology,” explains Jeanne Hayes, Project RED management team member and CEO and Founder of The Hayes Connection. “We believe that properly implemented ubiquitous technology schools can produce dramatic improvements in achievement, be revenue positive at the state and federal level and contribute positively to issues of STEM, 21st Century skills and lifelong learning,” added Tom Greaves, Project RED management team member and CEO and Founder of The Greaves Group. “Success depends on new legislation, new state education policies, implementation of identified success factors, strong leadership from classroom to governor, teachers transforming their classrooms and access to appropriate technology,” explains Leslie Wilson, Project RED management team member and President of the One-to-One Institute.
Project RED is currently conducting a national survey of principals and district administrators to analyze what is and what isn’t working in technology-transformed schools across the country. The survey includes an estimated 4,500 superintendents of technology-intensive school districts – with more welcomed. Educators are encouraged to participate in the survey which can be accessed from the Project’s website at www.projectred.org. In-depth interviews with principals and administrators aggregating best practices for schools and districts will also be part of the information collecting process. Project RED aspires to use the collected information to reengineer America’s educational system by proving that technology can transform learning, just as it has transformed homes and offices in almost every other segment of our society – a goal shared by New York City-based eChalk.
“Over the past ten years, thousands of schools have used eChalk’s platform to help transform their learning environments and connect their entire learning community in a way that had not been previously been possible,” explains Torrance Robinson, President and Co-Founder of eChalk. “We look forward to participating in Project RED to show how these combinations of services can drive results in the K-12 environment.” Martin Brutosky, CEO and COO of eChalk went on to say, “Through Project RED, we look forward to demonstrating that not only can such investments help schools ‘go green’ by promoting effective online communication versus traditional print means but return on investment can be significantly improved because eChalk allows schools and districts to consolidate multiple disparate systems into one integrated solution. We know that cost savings and reallocation are more important than ever as educators look to make investments with stimulus funds that will contribute to systemic, long-term impacts.”
Project RED has been well received in the education and technology worlds. In addition to corporate involvement, the initiative has obtained support from the National School Boards Association (NSBA), the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO), the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) and the Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA).
eChalk is sponsoring a special breakfast briefing with the Project RED management team at the NSBA Technology and Learning (T+L) Conference in Denver on Thursday, October 29, 2009 at 7:30 AM in Room 304 at the Colorado Convention Center. Hayes, Greaves and Wilson will present as well as lead topical discussions. Stop by eChalk Booth #412 in the exhibit hall for complete details.
To learn more about and support Project RED, visit www.projectred.org. For more information on eChalk, visit www.echalk.com or call 800.809.3349.
About eChalk
eChalk helps school leaders, teachers, students and parents safely use the web to connect to learning, information and each other. eChalk streamlines communication in one secure, integrated and scalable online environment for everyone in a given school, district, ESA or state. Founded in 1999 and headquartered in New York City, eChalk hopes that by communicating more effectively among their stakeholders, K-12 school communities can better support teacher and student success. eChalk is available as a web-delivered software-as-a-service or as a locally-hosted enterprise solution. Whether schools communicate with a few or a few million, eChalk’s easy-to-use and customizable tools – including websites, email, intranets, lesson planners and Web 2.0 technologies – help engage students, address individual learning needs, cultivate 21st century skills and provide necessary support for staff development.
About Project RED
Project RED (Revolutionizing Education) is a national research and advocacy plan founded on the belief there is the need to revolutionize the way the U.S. looks at technology as part of teaching and learning. Project RED is conducting a national survey to analyze what’s working in technology-transformed schools and to show how technology can save money when properly implemented. Through the efforts of Project RED and partners, technology can transform learning, just as it has transformed homes and offices in almost every other segment of our society.
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