Travis Allen, the young president and CEO of the iSchool Initiative, was the keynote speaker at Walker County schools’ recent Technology Academy session. Allen is the founder and driving force behind the iSchool Initiative, a student-led organization dedicated to revolutionizing education through innovative technology.

Allen introduced the iSchool concept as a digital learning revolution, supported by a network of students, parents, educators and administrators, to prepare students in the U.S. to be competitive in the global workforce. iSchool focuses on educating students to be lifelong, digital learners in the fast-paced, information age.

Allen and his team of Kennesaw State University students presented collaborative research on the use of technology in the classroom and guided school staff in the implementation of this technology as standards-based, instructional strategies.

During the rest of the day, Technology Academy participants attended additional workshops presented by teachers and representatives of interactive software and hardware for use in 21st Century classrooms.

Walker County schools’ coordinator of school improvement Michael Tipton explained that the ongoing Technology Academy is designed to keep educators current on the newest, cutting-edge instructional technology.

“We strive daily to prepare our students, from pre-K through their senior year, to be knowledgeable and experienced with the technology they will need to be successful in college, careers and life,” said Tipton.