Verizon Foundation

Verizon Tech Savvy Awards Recognize Innovative Use of Technology in Education

The Verizon Tech Savvy Awards, presented March 2 at the National Conference on Family Literacy in Orlando, Fla., recognize outstanding educational programs that take the mystery out of technology for parents and caregivers - allowing them to support their children's academic growth in the 21st century.

Established in 2007 by the Verizon Foundation, the National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL) and Christie Vilsack, former first lady of Iowa, the awards are given to nonprofit organizations that develop outstanding, inter-generational digital learning programs.

At the awards ceremony, Al Browne, vice president of Education and Technology Initiatives for the Verizon Foundation discussed Verizon's commitment to education and the importance of helping parents and caregivers use technology to improve learning and life skills.

Approximately 1,200 program managers, literacy practitioners and policy makers attended the awards banquet. Best-selling author, illustrator and Thinkfinity.org Champion Peter Reynolds guided the audience through an interactive "journey" of a 21st century learner. Built on the concept of his children's book "The North Star," Reynolds illustrated how students meet different "stars" - parents, teachers, grandparents, librarians -- who influence them and ultimately make up the "constellations" of their lives.

Members of the audience discussed those people who influenced their lives with author and guest host, Greg Forbes Siegman. Guest "stars" including Vilsack, NCFL Founder and President Sharon Darling, author Jan Goldstein and student Robert Long also reported on special teachers and learners who are the "stars" in their own lives.

The program culminated in a constellation for 21st century learning and gave audience members a better understanding of the importance of integrating Information Communications Technology (ICT) literacy into education programs. The constellation can be seen on Thinkfinity.org.

For more information about the awards and the speakers, please visit: www.famlit.org.

Verizon 2009 Tech Savvy Awards:

Tech Savvy Awards recognize organizations that have developed and delivered exemplary programs in Information Communications Technology (ICT) literacy for parents and children. There is one national award of $25,000 and four regional awards of $5,000 awarded. The 2009 winners are:

National Winner: Indigenous Language Institute (Santa Fe, NM) - "Ancient Voices, Modern Tools; Native Language and Technology Inter-generational Workshop Series." The workshops teach families, students and teachers to leverage technology to develop Native American language materials in all types of media so heritage languages can become a vibrant component of everyday life. www.ilinative.org

Region One Winner: Neighborhood House (Saint Paul, MN) - "English Language Learner Program." The program empowers parents to become more involved in their children's education and helps them meet their employment goals to become better advocates for themselves. www.neighb.org

Region Two Winner: Mary's Center for Maternal and Child Care (Washington, D.C.) - "Even Start Program." The program helps parents be full partners in their children's education while increasing English literacy through ESL, early childhood development activities, computer classes and parenting workshops. www.maryscenter.org

Region Three Winner: Project Accessible Hollywood (Hollywood, CA) - "Digital Film Festival." Parents and children work together to gain confidence in handling cell phones, digital cameras and computers and learn how to use technology to teach, tell a story or portray their community. www.pahnation.org

Region Four Winner: Fisher Middle-High School (Lafitte, LS) - "TechGen At Fisher - Using Technology to Cross Generational Lines." Builds a connection between generations to learn the educational value of technology. Families work on projects such as slide show presentations, genealogy projects, peer/parent editing through Google Docs and book talks completed on MP3 players. http://fisher.jppss.k12.la.us

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