CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Students across West Virginia will focus on learning through digital media and technology in the classroom on Wednesday Feb. 17, 2016 after Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin proclaimed the date Digital Learning Day (DLD). DLD, coordinated by The Alliance for Excellent Education, encourages the innovative use of technology, and highlights teaching practices that make learning more personalized and engaging for students.

DLD began in 2012 to celebrate and encourage digital learning. The goal of DLD is to actively spread innovative practices and ensure all youth have access to high-quality learning opportunities. DLD provides a powerful venue for highlighting excellent teaching practices and showcasing activities and instructional programs that are improving student outcomes.

“The future in West Virginia is changing, and new business investments are helping us chart a path focused on jobs that require new skills,” said Tomblin. “West Virginia students must be equipped with knowledge and skills in technology to ensure they are prepared for college and future careers.”

State Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Michael Martirano emphasized the importance of embracing technology in the classroom and ensuring all students have access to digital learning opportunities.

“As we work to ensure our students leave high school with the skills they need to compete on a global scale, it is important now more than ever that we encourage our teachers and students to embrace advancements in educational technology,” Martirano said. “All students, regardless of where they live, deserve a world-class education inclusive of digital learning and the use of different types of technology.”

West Virginia students, teachers and schools joined their counterparts in other states for the fifth annual DLD. County Superintendents are challenged to sign the “Future Ready Pledge.” The Future Ready Schools District Pledge, developed by the U.S. Department of Education in October 2014, is a commitment by district leaders to work with educators, families and community members to make all schools in their districts Future Ready Schools. The Future Ready Schools effort will encourage and support superintendents as they transition their districts to personalized, digital learning.

Started in 2012, this grassroots effort blossomed into a massive nationwide celebration as teachers realized that DLD is not about technology, but rather, learning. It’s not about laying off teachers for laptops, it is about enhancing the role of the teacher in America’s classrooms. DLD promotes the effective use of modern day tools afforded to every other industry to improve the learning experience in K-12 public schools.

The West Virginia Department of Education created a web page at http://wvde.state.wv.us/dlday which provides multiple resources teachers and school administrators can use to incorporate digital learning into their schools. Teachers have been asked to share their successes on Twitter using #dlday and @officialdlday.

To learn more about the event, visit http://www.digitallearningday.org or contact Kristin Anderson at the West Virginia Department of Education Office of Communications at 304-558-2699 or Kristin.Anderson@k12.wv.us.

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