GCS Partners with Discovery Education to Enhance Student Learning Experiences
Greenville County Schools (GCS), South Carolina’s largest school system, today announced a new phase in its 13-year collaboration with Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital content and professional development for K-12 classrooms. Through this expanded partnership, the district is empowering educators to create learner-centered instructional environments in all 102 of its schools with dynamic digital content from Discovery Education Streaming Plus. A comprehensive digital service supplementing instruction across all K-12 curricular areas, Streaming Plus helps GCS educators create technology‐rich, relevant learning experiences for students districtwide.
The addition of Discovery Education Streaming Plus supports the Greenville County Schools’ Technology Plan, which is shaping district efforts to increase student achievement through the effective integration of technology into the core curriculum. Specifically, the plan articulates the district’s strategies for developing sustained professional development programs for teachers, helping all students acquire technological literacy, and creating learner-centered instructional environments. Additional elements of the plan outline the district’s approaches to enhancing student achievement and teacher technology proficiency through community partnerships, and improving the school system’s technology assets and infrastructure.
Discovery Education Streaming Plus’ digital resources are aligned to state standards and are searchable, and include videos, images, primary source documents, podcasts, oral interviews, audio books, articles and more. Teacher resources in Streaming Plus include lesson plans, instructional strategies and content collections organized around themes, as well as including instructional videos, skill builders, writing prompts, multimedia activities and articles. Through its popular Board Builder feature, students can create virtual project boards using multimedia and text to synthesize their thinking and provide evidence of their understanding of a concept or problem.
Since 2002, GCS and Discovery Education have collaborated to empower teachers, enhance curriculum, and inspire students through a unique combination of digital resources and professional development. In 2012, educators in the district’s Berea Middle School, Lakeview Middle School, Tanglewood Middle School and Early College School began integrating Discovery Education’s digital science textbook, or Techbook, into instruction. Educators at 10 GCS schools are also currently engaged in Discovery Education’s Digital Leader Corps. A comprehensive professional development system, Digital Leader Corps builds and nurtures a network of teacher-leaders to design and implement successful and innovative teaching strategies that can be shared district-wide.
The Discovery Educator Network (DEN) will continue supporting Greenville County Schools’ educators in their efforts to transform students’ learning experiences with digital media. A global community of education professionals, the DEN connects members across school systems and around the world through social media, virtual conferences, and in-person events, fostering valuable networking, idea sharing and inspiration.
“Discovery Education is proud to continue supporting Greenville County Schools’ efforts to provide equitable educational opportunities that help all students reach their highest potential,” said Rob Warren, director of educational partnerships at Discovery Education. “We applaud Superintendent Royster and the entire GCS team for their progressive approach to effectively integrating technology into the learning process.”
For more information about Discovery Education Streaming Plus, or other services and resources from Discovery Education, visit www.discoveryeducation.com.
About Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-based digital content for K-12, transforming teaching and learning with award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia content, professional development, and the largest professional learning community of its kind. Serving 3 million educators and over 30 million students, Discovery Education’s services are in half of U.S. classrooms, over 40 percent of all primary schools the UK, and more than 50 countries. Discovery Education partners with districts, states and like-minded organizations to captivate students, empower teachers, and transform classrooms with customized solutions that increase academic achievement. Discovery Education is powered by Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the number one nonfiction media company in the world. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.