North Allegheny's use of technology recognized nationally

The North Allegheny School District has been recognized by a national organization that promotes the use of technology in education.

The non-profit group Common Sense selected NA to receive the award for its “commitment to taking a whole-community approach to preparing students to use the immense power of digital media to explore, create, connect and learn while limiting the perils that exist in the online realm,” according to district officials.

Common Sense noted that as NA has taken steps to combat plagiarism, the loss of privacy and cyber bullying as part of its approach to using technology.

“We applaud the faculty and staff of North Allegheny for embracing digital citizenship as an important part of their students’ education,” said Liz Kline, vice president of education programs for the San Francisco, Calif.-based organization.

“North Allegheny deserves high praise for giving its students the foundational skills they need to compete and succeed in the 21st-century workplace and participate ethically in society at large,” Kline said.

NA officials said district students have been using Common Sense’s research-based digital citizenship resources to teach students, teachers and parents “tangible skills related to internet safety, protecting online reputations and personal privacy, media balance, managing online relationships and media literacy.”

“We’re honored to be recognized as a Common Sense District,” said Superintendent Robert Scherrer. “By teaching our students how to use technology safely and responsibly, not only are we providing them unlimited opportunities to maximize and personalize their learning, but we’re also preparing them for success in a rapidly changing and innovative technological world.”

More information about Common Sense is available online.