Technology Transformation part 2
Technology Transformation is touching Northfield Public schools and Superintendent Dr. Chris Richardson says it’s been a long time coming. Apple has been a part of schools since the late 70’s from the large mainframes to handheld devices. Local schools, including Lakeville, are now purchasing ipads for their students. With all the free apps available they’ve been the mainstay in schools. However, a big competitor for schools may be Google’s Chromebook. Director of Human Resources and Technology, Brian Hillman says that, currently, Chromebook only offers fast, wireless connection to the internet but with great battery power. Hillman talks about the constantly changing information and how digital media can update that information in real time, whereas the old textbooks were outdated nearly the moment they came out, were expensive and didn’t offer the visual learning capabilities of digital. Hillman says with automatic updates, interactive capabilities and video and audio, the possibilities are endless for educational purposes. Richardson says that traditional textbooks have been driven by just a few companies out of Texas and California whereas now the information can be regionalized. It won’t just be textbook writers doing it but software technology that will allow teachers to become their own textbook writers. There could be opportunities for students who excel at a certain subject to create a tutoring video. Any student in the world can be connected with another. This is the classroom of the future. This is the 2nd in a series on Technology Transformation touching Northfield.
The Great Minnesota Book Raid wants your leftovers
The 51st annual Northfield Hospital Auxiliary Book Fair starts April 24th. Director of Community Relations from the Northfield Hospital, Scott Richardson says they have this down to a science.
Donations will be taken at the Northfield Arena this afternoon from 4 to 6, tomorrow from 10 to 2 and at varied times for the next 2 weeks. The money goes to the cancer infusion center. They have a large varied list of subjects. (listen to the podcast for all the information). They’ll also accept dvd’s, cd’s and even VHS tapes. Richardson estimates that 10,000 books are sold between April 24th through the 28th. For more information go Northfield Hospital Auxiliary Book Fair.
Ahh, Road construction…
MnDot just put out their 2012 construction list and there are 3 areas in Rice County to watch out for. In May expect lane closures with flaggers along a 7 mile stretch of Hwy 19 from Lonsdale to I-35 for bituminous overlay. MnDot along with Mankato Electric will be installing traffic information devices along I-35 at various locations through Rice and Steele counties scheduled to last through June. While August and September will bring lane closures for concrete pavement rehabilitation along I-35 from Co. Rd 9 to the Heath Creek Rest area, about a 6 mile stretch. For more information on projects throughout the state click on 2012 State Transportation Construction.
Ganey gets a 3rd contender
Patrick Ganey now has even more company on the road to the DFL endorsement for the 2nd Congressional District. Yesterday, Dakota County Commissioner and former S. St. Paul Mayor, Kathleen Gaylord, filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission declaring her intention to run. Just Tuesday, former State Representative Mark Obermueller from Eagan, stepped into the race. With redistricting having changed the political landscape, Democrats are looking to unseat Republican John Kline who’s held the position since 2002.
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