[This blog was also published January 26, 2012 by the Alliance for Excellent Education, sponsor of Digital Learning Day.]

The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) is pleased to be among dozens of education and technology organizations partnering to promote Digital Learning Day (DLD), 2/1/12, sponsored by the Alliance for Excellent Education. SIIA is promoting DLD to its high-tech member software, digital content and online services companies, and asking them to promote DLD through their networks. 

For those with the vision and successful use of digital learning, the idea of a DLD awareness campaign — showcasing how technology supports students learning and teacher instruction – may seem unnecessary.  But the reality is that too many of our educators and education leaders have not been provided the support they need to understand what is possible, nor the resources to make it happen.  This shift is not simply about replacing print with digital or giving every student a computer.  This shift is about reimagining how we teach and learn, and creating more customized, engaging, and productive learning made possible through technology and through public-private partnership with high-tech innovators.

SIIA has developed a series of resources to assist education stakeholders in this process, including:

• Vision K-20 Survey:  SIIA’s Vision K-20 lays out how we can utilize modern technologies to create a world-class teaching and learning environment that prepares all students as global citizens capable of leading the world in innovation. Educators can review the means, take a benchmarking survey, and review examples and evidence.
• Personalized Learning: Innovate to Educate: System [Re]Design for Personalized Learning is a roadmap for education leaders to restructure our education system around the unique needs of each student.  Developed in collaboration with state (CCSSO) and local (ASCD) education leaders, the report, resource page, and symposium archive provide descriptions, practices, policies and examples for personalizing learning.
• Educator Guidance: SIIA’s Software & Technology Guidance for Educators include an implementation toolkit and best practices in use of serious learning games.

For SIIA member and other high-tech companies, we encourage you to support Digital Learning Day:

• Sign up and be counted in this effort
• Add the DLD button to your website, and promote DLD to your customers and partners
• Provide access to your online teaching and learning resources for the day
• Showcase success stories of how teachers and students are using technology
• Visit the DLD toolkits for more ideas and resources. 
• Promote SIIA resources for educators, including Vision K20 and Software Implementation Toolkit
• Use your imagination and creativity to promote education technology and Digital Learning Day

Thank you to the Alliance and all DLD partners for this important effort and for including SIIA and the high-tech industry. We look forward not only to A successful day on February 1st, but more importantly to THE day soon when all students will have access to the most relevant, engaging and effective learning opportunities that meet their personalized needs anytime and everywhere.

Learn more about Digital Learning Day at http://www.digitallearningday.org.