Kentucky Student Technology Leaders

As a Kentuckian, the emphasis on technology use by students in Kentucky schools is a point of great pride to me. From the time that education reform brought an emphasis on equity in the early 90s, there has been a mandate that student to computer ratios be kept low. The multi-million dollar allocation for instructional device upgrades completed in 2008 was a tangible statement on the part of the Kentucky legislature that having up-to-date equipment is a priority in order for technology to be an integral part of the learning environment.

As technology leaders and researchers place more and more emphasis on "ubiquitous" or "one-to-one" computing, the role of the student as learner, teacher, and leader continues to be critical to successful implementations. The Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP) is a powerful organization that has provided opportunities for many students to learn and lead within their classroom or school as well as at regional, state and national conferences in the fifteen years of its existence in Kentucky.

Kentucky STLP has six stated goals:

1. The STLP will develop activities which enhance the academic, social and emotional growth of the student.
2. The STLP will provide leadership opportunities for all students.
3. The STLP will participate in multi-age collaboration by forming innovative learning partnerships.
4. The STLP will form learning partnerships among students with different technology skills.
5. The STLP will develop activities which benefit communities.
6. The STLP will develop instructional activities which integrate technology and benefit the school and support KETS (Kentucky Education Technology System).

Schools may join and become state-recognized STLP schools by sending an email to Elaine Harrison Lane at elaine.harrison@education.ky.gov. Regional and state STLP Showcases give students the opportunity to display or "showcase" their school projects and to learn from other schools. The regional showcases are held in multiple locations across the state this fall:

• November 5, The Center for Rural Development Showcase, Somerset
• November 11, Murray State University Showcase, Curris Center
• November 12, University of Kentucky Showcase, Student Center Ballroom
• November 13, Western Kentucky University Showcase, Diddle Arena
• November 17, Eastern Kentucky Exposition Center (EXPO) Showcase, Pikeville
• November 19, Morehead State University Showcase, Adron Doran University Center
• November 20, Northern Kentucky University Showcase, Student Center
• November 24, University of Louisville Showcase, Student Activities Center

These showcases are wonderful opportunities for schools to gather ideas or to allow students to "show" their best projects to others.