ALABAMA’S MOBILE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND DISCOVERY EDUCATION PARTNER ON NEW INITIATIVE EMPOWERING EDUCATORS AS THEY IMPLEMENT DIGITAL RESOURCES AND GROW INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICE
– Digital Literacy Media Project Helps Teacher Leaders and Media Specialists More Effectively Integrate Digital Content into Classroom Instruction –
October 8, 2014
Silver Spring, Md. (October 8, 2014) - Mobile County Public School System (MCPSS), the largest school system in Alabama, today announced an expansion of its partnership with Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital content and professional development for K-12 classrooms nationwide. In the latest phase of their 10-year relationship, the district has launched the "Digital Literacy Media Project," a comprehensive professional development program that builds a network of teacher leaders and media specialists to design, implement and share successful and innovative teaching strategies that accelerate the transition to Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) environments and prepare students for success in the global economy.
Since 2002, MCPSS and Discovery Education have partnered to provide district teachers dynamic digital resources that enhance curriculum and inspire students. Students district-wide currently have access to Discovery Education Streaming Plus, a comprehensive digital library of over 150,000 learning objects aligned to state and national standards. In this new phase of the collaboration, 16 schools throughout the district have joined the Digital Literacy Media Project. Each school has teams composed of one administrator, media specialist and three teachers who are engaged in the initiative. The project will span a five-year period, with additional schools throughout MCPSS joining each year.
"At Mobile County Public Schools, we are committed to helping educators grow their classroom practice through meaningful professional development," said Michele White, instructional technology coordinator at Mobile County Public School System. "We are pleased to continue our partnership with Discovery Education, as it supports that commitment and helps create a school system where library media specialists, teachers and administrators work side by side in a collaborative, shared-leadership model to maximize the learning experience for each student."
The Digital Literacy Media Project is based on Discovery Education's Digital Leader Corps, a system for professional learning and leadership which has been embraced by districts nationwide. Featuring a unique combination of professional learning, pedagogy and tools, the Digital Literacy Media Project offers participating educators proven strategies for integrating educational technologies and digital media into classroom instruction. Through educator created, student-centered Learning Labs, media specialists and teachers bring to life new teaching strategies, and practice and adapt their skills in a classroom setting before sharing their successes broadly with their colleagues.
"We are excited to continue to support MCPSS in their digital transition by building the capacity of their teachers and library media specialists to advance student achievement," said Andy Schaefer, vice president at Discovery Education. "The Digital Literacy Media Project prepares MCPSS' teachers and media specialists to not only enrich instruction with engaging digital resources, but to also play a critical role in affecting change within their school system."
In addition, the Discovery Educator Network (DEN) will continue to support MCPSS educators in their efforts to transform students' learning experiences with digital media. A global community of education professionals, the DEN connects members across school systems and around the world through social media, virtual conferences, and in-person events, fostering valuable networking, idea sharing, and inspiration.
For more information on Discovery Education Professional Development, Discovery Education Streaming Plus, and other Discovery Education services, visit www.discoveryeducation.com.
About Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-based digital content and professional development for K-12, transforming teaching and learning with award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia content that supports the implementation of Common Core, professional development, assessment tools, and the largest professional learning community of its kind. Available in over half of all U.S. schools and primary schools in England, community colleges and in 50 countries around the world, Discovery Education partners with districts, states and like-minded organizations to captivate students, empower teachers, and transform classrooms with customized solutions that accelerate academic achievement. Discovery Education is powered by Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the number one nonfiction media company in the world. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.