As I’ve mentioned before, Generation YES is a partner on a Federal Investing in Innovation (i3) grant called College YES. Working with the Alliance for College Ready Public Schools in Los Angeles, we’ve helped them implement Student Technology Leadership teams in 12 of their high schools.
This is from their March 2012 e-newsletter:
“Alliance students are utilizing technology to develop their leadership skills. Students at 12 Alliance schools are taking part in the CollegeYES program, provided by the Investment in Innovation (i3) grant, a federally funded grant designed to help develop programs that will increase student achievement in science, technology, engineering, and math, and increase college and career readiness. Alliance was one of only 49 organizations out of 1,700 applicants across the nation to receive the prestigious award.”
“Each semester, Alliance students are given a semester-long group research project, focused on science or career readines, in which they use technology to do research and create a multi-media project with an oral presentation.”
”As part of the CollegeYES program, 12 of the top performing students from each school are selected as Student Technology Leaders (STLs). These students, who are each assigned their own iPad, serve as mentors and tutors for the rest of their classmates. They learn about new computer programs and how to incorporate them into their classroom assignments, and then mentor their fellow students who need additional help.”
“The STL program promotes collaboration and helps the students develop their leadership skills. “In middle school I was shy to stand in front of an audience,” says Mario Leon, a 9th grade STL at Alliance Environmental Science and Technology High School (ESAT), “but now I can communicate with my peers and show them how to do the projects we are assigned in class.” Mario’s fellow STL David Madrigal adds, “the other students give us respect - they know if they need help they can come to us.”"
“The CollegeYES program prepares students to adapt to new and different technology, keeping them well informed and interested in their class projects. “We get to use a variety of programs like Prezie, and iMovie, we don’t just do boring PowerPoint presentations,” says Janet Zvniga, another STL at ESAT. The collaborative work environment, project-based approach to learning, and focus on innovative technology are all helping to shape Alliance students into future leaders.”
We congratulate the Alliance STLs on their recognition and pride in shaping their school’s future!
>> Read more about College YES and the STL model
Sylvia
