Preparing for 21st Century Success: A Tool for All Ohio Schools
Press Release From INFOhio Central
February 1, 2010
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FOR IMMEDIATION USE

February 1, 2010 – [ADD YOUR CITY________OHIO]  – [ADD YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT’S NAME] [K-12 SCHOOL SYSTEM] teachers and librarians now have access to a new set of electronic tools that will allow them to leverage the changing technological landscape to prepare its students for the 21st century.

The INFOhio Learning Commons is designed to help classroom teachers, school librarians and administrators embrace new learning methods and opportunities that include essential skills for today’s students such as critical thinking and problem solving, communication, collaboration, creativity and innovation.

The Learning Commons, launched in February, is the newest offering from INFOhio, the state’s K-12 virtual library and information network. Visit http://learningcommons.infohio.org/. INFOhio is a free, state-supported learning tool for Ohio students and educators. It provides one of the country’s largest online collections of educational resources including images, videos, popular magazines, newspapers, scholarly journals, encyclopedias, audio and e-books. It also has content in multiple languages.

According to INFOhio Executive Director Theresa M. Fredericka, “The goal of INFOhio’s 21st Century Learning Commons is to enhance 21st century learning, provide a technologically advanced method to access the INFOhio electronic resources, and foster a sense of global community through a variety of technology and learning methods.”

Educators who visit INFOhio.org and click on The Learning Commons will find an array of resources including:

	Professional development opportunities. By participating in our self-paced online course, 21 Essential Things for 21st Century Success, educators will learn how to integrate 21st century skills into their classroom instruction. They may use these modules without cost for their own learning. For those interested in credit, there are several options including individual module CEUs, graduate college credit, or a 21st Century Skills Certificate with a specialization in Media and Information Research.
	Information on 21st century learning skills. Focus on 21st century student outcomes with new technologies to help students master the skills they will need to be successful in the 21st century.
	INFOhio videos that will help educators, students and parents learn more about some of INFOhio's most popular online resources.
	Glossary that continues to grow and expand. There are three separate glossaries of terms relevant to Web 2.0 technologies, 21st century skills and information Literacy and research. Each glossary is searchable independently or as a single collection of terms.
	Discussion Forums. Using INFOhio's discussion forums, educators can collaborate with peers while completing their coursework.

“Clearly, The INFOhio Learning Commons is a place for all educators to explore,” Fredericka added. “They can participate for their own enjoyment or to earn college credit or Continuing Education Units.”

Development of The Learning Commons supports Ohio’s October 2009 designation as a Partnership for 21st Century Skills Leadership State. The Partnership is the leading national advocacy organization focused on integrating 21st century learning, such as critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills, into core subjects.

According to Governor Strickland: “Ohio’s designation as a Leadership State, coupled with our state’s new education plan, will ensure that 21st century learning is infused into our classrooms and curricula. Ohio is committed to providing every student with the skills and knowledge that will help them succeed after graduation in a fast-moving world where jobs are constantly advancing.” [Read full message]

With the introduction of The Leaning Commons, INFOhio is poised to make a significant impact in helping educators inspire students to learn, think critically, solve problems, collaborate, innovate and create and to prepare them, as Gov. Strickland put it, “for the cutting-edge jobs of the modern economy.”

INFOhio, a statewide cooperative school library and information network, supports and enriches teaching and learning by providing equitable access to quality resources for Ohio's PreK-12 community of students, educators and parents. INFOhio’s components include electronic resources for schools, instructional development for teachers, and school library automation – all promoting information literacy and media literacy through the use of technology. For more information, please see http://www.infohio.org.

For additional information about INFOhio or The INFOhio Learning Commons, contact:
INFOhio Central Office
Cynthia DuChane
35 E. Chestnut Street, 8th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
614-485-6732
Help Resources for INFOhio's 21st Century Learning Commons