Online Professional and Academic Learning
Students cannot be adequately prepared for the economic challenges of the 21st century if schools and learning systems are firmly planted in the 20th century. The information economy is revolutionizing every area of our lives. We must ensure that all students are trained to use technology to research, analyze and communicate - the 21st century economy demands no less. - Barack Obama
In alignment with President Obama's vision of 21st century school reform, districts 17 and 20 have partnered to develop a program of professional development that will improve student academic performance. The Online Professional & Academic Learning (OPAL) project will test the very competencies that matter most for the 21st century. OPAL will motivate students who have grown up in a digital world to aspire toward academic excellence through the infusion of project-based learning, the development of e-portfolios to showcase and assess learning, and the acquisition of knowledge in an online learning environment. OPAL is deeply rooted in the research and practices of the Dr. Heidi Hayes Jacobs and Dr. Helen Barrett, and their research on a standards-first curricular approach to the infusion of technology into teaching and learning.
The goals of the OPAL grant are twofold:
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to improve academic performance in English Language Arts, math, science, and technology literacy through the integration of technology into teaching and learning
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and to expand professional development and student learning opportunities through virtual learning opportunities.
To align teaching and learning with a 21st century vision, and to prepare students for higher education and the world of work, OPAL provides a blended model of professional development to assure that educators have the knowledge and skills to infuse technology into cross-curricular instruction that is authentic and comprehensive. Students and teachers will have ample opportunity to reflect on the learning process, and to acquire new knowledge in an online learning enviromnent.
