Digital Learning Experience

Program Goal

Cultivating global thinkers requires building digital literacy. The Paradise Valley Unified School District has developed a curriculum designed for world-class thinking. As the need for digital literacy and skills continues to increase in today’s world, innovative use of technology has become tantamount to the academic success of this program’s academically advanced gifted students. Technology, combined with inquiry-based thinking and learning, keeps students engaged and progressing academically.

Teachers in this program have developed the pedagogy, curriculum, and instructional practices needed for 21st century learning. The teachers facilitate collaborative, student-produced multi-media projects through use of digital tools, the Internet and multi-media devices. Observers in this program see actively engaged, motivated students learning challenging and accelerated curriculum while taking an active role in their learning. This combination prepares them for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities.

Differentiated curriculum and instruction for these digitally-proficient students encourages them to take an active role in their learning and sets them on a pathway that prepares them for the challenges and accomplishments they will encounter as 21st century learners.

Program Objective

The Digital Learning Experience (DLE) provides a free, digital learning experience for gifted and talented students who attend charter schools, private schools, other school districts, and PVUSD. This hybrid program utilizes pvLearners (PVUSD's intranet), pvONLINE, and face-to-face meetings where students engage in 21st century digital, project-based learning experiences.

Program Design

In the Digitial Learning Experience, students integrate language arts, global studies, sustainability, and technology through project-based learning.

Digital presentations of learning encompass themes such as:

• global sustainability
  
• civic responsibility
  
• democratic debate
  
• STEM
  
• GenYES curriculum
  

Technology

Educational technology utilized in this program includes:

• Web 2.0 applications
• pvLearners
• Moodle
• Google applications

Digital media production applications include:

• iMovie
• iWorks Suite
• Garage Band
• Final Cut Express
• YouTube editing software

Technology devices used include:

• MacBook laptops for individual and small group collaboration, research, web-based learning, and first-level production.
• iPads for research, video production and consumption of multi-media resources.
• iPod Touches for face time, text communication, and instant access.
• iPods, pocket cameras, and digital cameras, and (student owned) smart phones are used together with laptops to enhance the curriculum

Schedule

Class meetings will be held after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Saturday mornings, and three weeks in June. Students can select the days they attend.*

Students accumulate a minimum of 112 online hours, and also 112 face-to-face hours during any combination of the following time periods:

January 10 - May 17, 2012**

• Tuesdays, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
  
• Thursdays, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
  
• Saturdays 8 - 10 a.m.
  
• Saturdays 10 a.m. to 12 noon
  

May 29 - June 14, 2012

• Tuesdays, Wednesdays and/or Thursdays 8 - 10 a.m. and/or 10 a.m. to 12 noon.
  
  * Parents/students select the dates and times their children will attend the face-to-face meetings one week in advance through online registration.
  
  **There will be no meetings on the following dates:
• Tues., March 20
• Thurs., March 22
• Sat., March 24
• Sat., April 7

Requirements

Gifted qualification of 97% or higher in at least one area: Verbal, Nonverbal, and/or Quantitative

OR
IQ of 130 or higher

OR
Exceeds in AIMS in at least two of the three areas: Reading, Writing and Math, with no less than Meets in the third area. Please use 2010-11 scores.

OR
a score of 90% in all areas of a norm-referenced standardized achievement test (such as Terra Nova, ITBS, SAT, ACT, MAT)

Students will be expected to:

• Be self-directed and self-motivated learners
• Have a desire to investigate social and educational dimensions of information technology
• Be interested in information technology and digital learning processes
  

Registration

Although the program begins Jan. 10, 2012, we will be accepting applications through Friday, February 10, 2012.

To apply for the DLE:

1. Complete the application included here.

2. E-mail, mail, fax, or hand deliver the completed application and supporting documents to the PVUSD Gifted Education Office.

3. The Gifted Education Office will notify you of acceptance.

To enroll in the DLE:

Once accepted into the DLE, students will be sent a link to enroll through pvONLINE. Student enrollment documentation will be included at this time.

Application

• Application packet includes: gifted test scores OR achievement test results (grades, AIMS, etc.), student self-evaluation, student/parent contract

> Download application (PDF)