Pinellas County Schools Invest in Dell Technology to Help Equip Students with 21st Century Skills
-- Pinellas County Schools Deploy More Than 7,000 Latitude 2100 Netbooks to
Students
-- Melrose Elementary Center for Journalism and Multi-Media to Use Netbooks
for Innovative One-to-One Pilot Journalism Program
-- Teachers Participate in Technology Training to Learn about Programs Like
Course Management System Moodle
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Students at Pinellas County Schools now have access to the some of the latest education technology as the district deploys more than 7,000 Dell Latitude 2100s, netbooks specifically designed for students. Teachers and administrators look to provide students with a Connected Classroom learning environment that will help them develop and apply skills to compete in the global workforce.
Of the 7,000 netbooks, 446 systems have been allocated to an innovative one-on-one mobile journalism program at Melrose Elementary Center for Journalism and Multi-media, a St. Petersburg magnet school.
Melrose has the school district's only full-time elementary-level journalism program for students in grades K-5 and is nationally recognized for its unique curriculum, which also includes technology and literary arts. The program won the 2007 Weekly Reader Student Publishing Award and is recognized as the No. 1 elementary school newspaper in the nation. The program is designed to prepare students for admission to the Center for the Arts and Communication Studies at John Hopkins Middle School.
With the new program, students will have access to their own individual netbooks and a connected learning environment where they can learn new tools for 21st century skills.
Teachers and students can apply "real life" situations and learn first-hand how technology plays a large role in the fields of communications and journalism, as well as math and sciences.
Teachers will learn how to develop relevant curricula using education software tools such as Moodle. Webinars, online education and in-person training will help teachers develop a new model and center of excellence for the integration of technology into the journalism curriculum.
Together, Dell and Pinellas County Schools are bringing a learning environment to students to help them develop important skills they will need inside and outside of the classroom.
Quotes
John Just, CIO of Pinellas County Schools
As with many school districts, our budgets were cut this year. We chose to install the Latitude 2100s in our schools not just because of the great price point - we could provide more students access to a laptop - but because it was specifically designed with students in mind.
John Mullen, vice president and general manager of Dell Major Public Accounts
The teachers and administrators at Pinellas County Schools are providing students with technology that will help them learn and achieve throughout their academic and professional careers. It's inspiring to see their success first-hand and help them achieve their mission.
Links
Melrose Elementary Center for Journalism and Multi-Media
About Dell Latitude 2100s
The Latitude 2100 netbook has unique features like primary colors and a more rugged, rubberized design that is easier for students to carry and use safely. It also offers a Network Activity Light, enabling teachers to monitor Internet connectivity on the netbook lid. An optional touch screen is a first for an education netbook. The Latitude 2100 also features options like an antimicrobial keyboard (U.S. only), solid state drives, quick-connect handles and shoulder straps and a Webcam.
About Pinellas County Schools
Pinellas County Schools, an award-winning school district, has been recognized on the national and state levels for its strong efforts and the dedication of its students, teachers and staff. The district is located on Florida's west coast and is the seventh-largest school district in the state and 25th-largest district in the U.S. with a projected K-12 student enrollment of approximately 103,500. Pinellas County Schools is the largest employer in the county with more than 17,000 teachers, administrators and support staff. Learn more here.
About Melrose Elementary School
The mission of Melrose Center for Journalism and Multi-Media is to increase achievement and life-long learning by providing a safe, positive and challenging environment in order to develop responsible citizens and life-long learners. Learn more here.
About Dell
Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services they trust and value.
Dell and the Dell logo are trademarks of Dell Inc.
Dell disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others.
Source: Dell Inc.
Released January 14, 2010