�Providing wireless laptops to students offers incredible learning experiences, but also creates unique challenges,� said Leslie Wilson, director of professional development for the Freedom to Learn program. �Teachers and students need to be able to count on their laptops 100% of the time for the program to have significant impact. Generation TECH offers our schools a way to provide extra support for teachers in the classroom, and at the same time, gives students ownership in the process of improving education.�

Michigan�s $68 million �Freedom to Learn� program is aimed at improving student achievement in core academic subjects by providing students with engaging and inspiring learning technologies. In partnership with Hewlett-Packard, the Freedom to Learn package targets Michigan's middle school students, reaching 20,000 sixth-grade students over four years.

�Students are wonderful partners in new technology initiatives,� said Dr. Dennis Harper, Founder and CEO of Generation YES. �They bring enthusiasm and passion to everything they do, and empowering them to be responsible partners in improving education engages and supports the whole learning community. Generation TECH schools experience improved response to technical support issues and improved security. By making students part of the team, they take on the responsibility for using the technology wisely.�

Generation TECH offers schools a comprehensive, proven way to build a student technology support program. It includes professional development for school staff, curriculum, online tools for student work, online class management tools, an archive of student solutions from across the nation, and a help desk and trouble ticket system designed just for schools.

Freedom to Learn
The Freedom to Learn program is operated jointly by the Michigan Department of Education and Michigan Virtual University. Currently, the program is using federal funds available through Title II Part D of the No Child Left Behind Act.

Generation YES
Generation YES works with schools all around the world to plan, implement and enhance student technology programs through consulting, innovative curriculum and research-based support services. Generation YES programs focus on student-centered, project-based experiences that impact student�s lives and increase student involvement in school and community through technology. These include: Generation Y (student support for technology staff development), Generation TECH (student tech support curriculum), and TechYES (student technology literacy certification).

Generation YES is a registered trademark and TechYES, Generation Y and Generation TECH are trademarks of the Generation YES Corporation.

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For more information:
Sylvia Martinez, Generation YES
(888) 941-4369 x107
[email protected]

One-to-one Pilot press release https://www.genyes.org/news/1004

Generation YES home page https://www.genyes.org

Freedom to Learn https://wireless.mivu.org/

Michigan Virtual University https://www.mivu.org/index.asp