DOWNEY - In May, Downey Unified hosted their first Digital Learning Day in partnership with Apple, showcasing the 21st Century teaching, learning and innovation happening across the district’s elementary schools.

Students from Downey Unified’s five Apple Distinguished Schools’ Tech Squads led the event and provided guests a virtual glimpse inside the classrooms of Gauldin, Imperial, Lewis, Old River and Rio San Gabriel elementary schools.

This was a unique opportunity that brought together over 200 educators from across the nation and globe to experience the learning happening within Downey Unified.

“We were so proud to be able to showcase the amazing learning happening in our classrooms to guests from around the world,” shared Director of Elementary Education, Jennifer Robbins. “We had educators from 12 states and nine different countries join us via Zoom to see our students from Kindergarten to 5th grade in action.”

For Downey Unified’s first Digital Learning Day, educators joined from the following nine countries: Greece, Hong Kong, India, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, South Africa, United Arab Emirates; and 12 states: Arizona, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Washington and West Virginia.

This event was designed to showcase the creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication within the district’s elementary classrooms.

During this event, students were engaged in learning and were able to explain their thinking and process to all attendees. It was completely student lead, where students were the facilitators and presented their learning in a “news reporter style” format.

They provided attendees with a live preview inside the classroom by interviewing teachers and students as they explained the 21st Century learning environments they are immersed in every day.

Students also described the apps they use to demonstrate their understanding of content and choice and the digital tools they use within the classrooms each day.

“Apple Distinguished Schools are some of the most innovative schools in the world,” shared Apple. “They’re centers of leadership and educational excellence that demonstrate our vision of exemplary learning with Apple technology. Leaders in our recognized schools cultivate environments that use Apple products to connect students to the world, fuel creativity, deepen collaboration and make learning personal.”

Downey Unified has been identified as living the above quote. Although five schools were highlighted during this event and are currently designated as an Apple Distinguished School, this type of teaching and learning is occurring at every elementary school across Downey Unified and the remaining schools are in the process or will be starting the process of being identified as an Apple Distinguished School in the coming years.

For those interested in seeing the 21st Century learning happening inside Downey Unified’s elementary classrooms, a full recording of this Digital Learning Day can be found on the district’s YouTube Channel.

A shortened version that features highlights from the event can be found on Downey Unified’s social media pages or website.