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What is the Most Innovative Use of Technology?
by Grant Zimmerman


 

I-CAN Network
Internet Community Action NetworkI-CAN, Internet Community Action Network, www.ican-network.com, is the newest, school tested, and perhaps, the only technology available that puts teachers, counselors, and administrators in the enviable position of being able to customize the learning environment for all students. “Empowering our students through technology is the key for scaling our ability to differentiate learning and develop 21st century learners and professionals. Using the Internet to connect our teachers and students to relevant knowledge through a platform providing content, e-mentors, and communication and collaboration tools is the next step,” says Jon Beard, CEO for I-CAN.
I talk a lot about the insights and implications of the  American Psychological Association’s report, Learner-Centered Psychological Principles: Guidelines for School Redesign and Reform, published in 1993 and later revised in 1997 (I like the clarity of the 12 principles in the 1993 version). The crux of these guiding principles secures the idea that human beings have the need to connect with other people. The expansion and proliferation of social networking sites and mobile texting only confirms this human need. We like to work with other people. We like to talk about our ideas with other people. We like to get help from our classmates and colleagues because learning is natural to us. We want to do better than we did before. I-CAN raises the bar and places the ideas of communication and collaboration into the hands of the user. After filing out a registration form, the student can:
·         network online with experts in the field,
·         get support through mentors,
·         work in collaborative groups,
·         web conference,
·          take online classes,
·          view job and opportunity postings,
·         take virtual interviews,
·         participate in discussions, and more.
This perfect, professional networking tool pushes customized content to college students along with those students in both middle and high schools. I-CAN was nominated for the 2008 Most Innovative Use of Technology Award. Read the nomination by Rita L. Fuller. I-CAN is a well thought technology vehicle that extends the learning environment to other teachers, professional development providers, field driven experts, such as, astronomers, writers, doctors, and other professionals. One of many exciting features of I-CAN brings these experts and mentors into the digital social networking that we crave. “I-CAN offers that window into the real world for to network, explore, and learn how their academics can be applied in the context of the everyday, real life workplace,” says Jon Beard. I-CAN is the digital extension of the high quality, technology driven, collaborative projects that teachers create. This is the most innovative technology I have ever seen. As Thomas Jefferson might say to these ideas generated, “Three huzzahs to Jon and Justin Beard of I-CAN. Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah!
Grant Zimmerman is a Program Associate and National Faculty Member of the National Paideia Center at the University of North Carolina. He leads educators in Professional Development sessions on the Paideia Seminar and the Paideia Project. Grant is also a Senior Education Consultant with Knowledge Network Solutions—Leaders in Technology Integration in schools. You can reach Grant at gzimmerman@northcarolina.edu.        

 

  • Anonymous on Wed, 09/01/2010 - 03:29

    I and a group of us formed a non profit called EntreDot.org. We will be using the ICAN platform and are quite pleased with the capabilities. Not only is education needed in the academic world but as a life long process including business evolution. I agree with your thoughts.

  • Anonymous on Fri, 01/08/2010 - 16:42

    I and a group of us formed a non profit called EntreDot.org. We will be using the ICAN platform and are quite pleased with the capabilities. Not only is education needed in the academic world but as a life long process including business evolution. I agree with your thoughts.

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