CHARLESTON, South Carolina – Technology leaders from Maryland to Oklahoma gathered here September 9-11 for the 15th Annual SREB Educational Technology Cooperative Meeting to share ideas and hear from experts on expanding technology to improve student learning in K-12 schools and higher education.
The SREB Educational Technology Cooperative, which brings together K-12 and higher education agencies in the 16 SREB states, has helped many states begin and expand online learning for middle grades and high school students and in higher education. It is one of many examples of how SREB brings state officials together to address issues in education and share resources.
SREB President Dave Spence told the audience here that K-12 and higher education need to ensure that college-degree and career-certificate completions increase dramatically even as state resources are scarce during the economic downturn and may remain modest in the future.
"The time has come when (higher) education is going to have to change," he told the audience on September 9. "We need more students earning career certification in higher education, and associate’s degrees and bachelor’s degrees."
State officials at the conference heard from experts on topics such as how to make college classes more affordable, the changing landscape of K-12 and higher education as more nonprofit and for-profit schools go online, and much more. "You’ve got to help us find ways to increase productivity, to get more students these degrees at a lower cost," Spence told the group.
"This annual gathering is crucial for state officials as they develop ideas and share best practices with each other to expand and improve online learning and the use of technology in K-12 and higher education," said Myk Garn, the director of the Educational Technology Cooperative.
Other speakers included Pearson Foundation President Mark Nieker on mobile computing and learning; Linda Pittenger of the Council of Chief State School Officers on proposed voluntary common K-12 academic standards and college- and career-readiness standards, along with improving states’ college-transfer policies; Burke Smith, the CEO of Straighterline, on new business and funding models for online college courses; online K-12 and college teachers from several states; and many others.
SREB provides states with policy guidance and direct services in educational technology. The Cooperative and member states collaborated to develop the first national standards for online middle grades and high school courses, which have been adopted for international use. SREB also has developed standards for online teaching and other areas in the field.
In higher education, the SREB Electronic Campus provides easy, searchable access to more than 30,000 college courses, at www.electroniccampus.org. SREB also advises states as they work to expand online courses and serve adults who wish to pursue college.
To learn more about online courses and other areas of educational technology in your state, contact SREB Communications.
The Southern Regional Education Board, or SREB, based in Atlanta, was created in 1948 by Southern governors and legislatures to help leaders in education and government work cooperatively to advance education and improve the social and economic life of the region. SREB has 16 member states: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. More information is available online at www.sreb.org.
