Boston Public Schools hosts conference to launch new technology plan

BOSTON - The Boston Public Schools over the weekend hosted an engaging conference to share information with the community on the use of technology in enhancing student learning in classrooms across the district.

Mayor Thomas M. Menino, School Committee member Helen Dájer and Superintendent Michael Contompasis joined nearly 500 members of the BPS community including teachers, students and their families and other staff to learn more about the LINC III Technology Plan, the district's new comprehensive three-year blueprint for technology. The plan aligns Boston's efforts into 3 pillars for educational success: Access, Information and Innovation.

"Boston was one of the first communities in the country to wire all of our classrooms for the Internet," said Mayor Menino. "Now, we are again at the forefront of technology in schools as we lay out a plan that ensures all students not only have access to the most up-to-date technology but that their teachers are trained in how to best utilize hardware and software to help increase student learning and achievement."

The conference included workshops highlighting each of the three pillars (Access, Information and Innovation) of the LINC III plan including Digital Learning Tools for the Net Generation, Anytime, Anywhere Learning, Wireless Boston, Preparing Boston's Students for Cyber Citizenry, Engaging Parents with Technology and Data-Driven Decision Making to Close the Achievement Gap.

Omar Wasow, the co-Founder of BlackPlanet.com, delivered the keynote address. In addition to his online community work, Mr. Wasow has consulted on CNN, NBC's Today Show, and the Oprah Winfrey Show, providing guidance on communicating complex technology-related topics in easily understood language.

After delivering the keynote, Mr. Wasow participated on a panel with students moderated by BPS Chief Information Officer Kimberly Rice on "To Block or Not to Block?" The panel tackled the issue of student safety on the Internet and focused on what students need to know when visiting social networking and community sites such as Mr. Wasow's BlackPlanet and others including MySpace and Friendster. The conversation included information on the district's Internet Safety Campaign that is launching this year with the help of the BPS Cyber Super Heroes, characters designed by BPS students Phoebe Mei of Charlestown High School and Jason Quarrles, a graduate of TechBoston Academy.

For more information on the LINC III Technology Plan, please see the brochure.

The Boston Public Schools serves approximately 57,000 pre-kindergarten through grade 12 students in 145 schools.