State and local leaders will gather at Columbia State Community College’s Cherry Theater on Tuesday, April 25 for a community-wide panel forum to discuss ways technology is transforming education in Maury County.
The forum will start at 6 p.m.
Among the questions the event aims to answer:
How are Maury County Public Schools shifting the educational paradigm from a textbook-based learning model to project-based education through technology? What do students and parents need to know?
Does technology-based instruction impact retention rates and test scores? What impact does it have on college readiness?
How can Maury County’s workforce benefit from an increase in technologically proficient high school graduates.
School district leaders are hailing the summit as a major opportunity for students and parents to learn about an important shift in local education.
The event, Wiring the Classroom: Empowering Students Through Technology, will cover ways schools are using technology to enhance students’ educational experience. Parents, students and community members are invited to the forum, which is hosted by the Maury County Chamber and Economic Alliance and will include business and education leaders from Maury County and the state. Maury County Public Schools students who attend the event will be entered into a drawing to win a technological device.
“Wiring the Classroom will explore how Maury County’s schools are changing the classroom experience,” Maury County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Chris Marczak said. “It’s vital that parents, students and others in our county embrace these revolutionary changes with us.”
Wiring the Classroom is the latest installment in a series of community education events sponsored by the Maury Alliance. Last year, hundreds of community members attended Unlocking the Keys to Student Success, a forum that outlined ways students could capitalize on Tennessee’s scholarship programs, and Connecting the Dots, which discussed ways to link Maury’s economic development efforts with its education system.
MCPS has worked to been on the leading edge of the shift from textbooks to technology.
The district announced a new project-based learning model last fall, and its DIPLOMA program aims to place a device in the hands of every student and teacher in its schools. The district also plans to announce a digital business partnership this spring in coordination with the Maury Alliance.
“Our organization is proud to partner with Maury County Schools to host this event and support education in our community,” Maury Alliance President Wil Evans said. “We continue to work closely with schools and businesses to invest in students, who will fuel Maury County’s economic growth.”
Local panelists include Mt. Pleasant Arts Innovation Zone Executive Administrator Dr. Ryan Jackson and Columbia Power and Water Systems Executive Director Wes Kelley. State leaders joining the panel include Complete Tennessee Executive Director Kenyatta Lovett and SCORE Policy Analyst Jeremy Meredith. Columbia Daily Herald Editor James Bennett will moderate the panel discussion.
Interested parties can learn more about the event and RSVP at WiringTheClassroom.com.