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CompTIA Spark introduces free high-quality technology curriculum for middle grade classrooms

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On World Teachers’ Day, the nonprofit organization highlights the importance of middle school teachers, empowers them to teach technology skills

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., Oct. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Responding to a critical gap in technology education, CompTIA Spark has launched free technology curriculum specifically for middle grade classrooms, grades 5-8. It aims to support teachers so that they can teach the critical skills students need to succeed in whatever path they choose. The nonprofit organization worked with educators across the country to develop the curriculum.

“Getting this free resource into the hands of middle school teachers can help close the gap in technology education.”

“World Teachers’ Day celebrates how important teachers are,” says Randi Parker, chief of staff and vice president of CompTIA Spark. “And we know that middle school teachers in particular play such an important role in a student’s journey which is why they are the key to bringing technology education to more schools. We could not have developed this curriculum without them, and we can’t reach students without them.”

For about the past year, school districts as well as individual teachers have been implementing the CompTIA Spark curriculum in middle grade classrooms and providing feedback that allowed for a testing and development period prior to the full-scale launch. The schools that participated in this phase ranged from award-winning STEM schools to less-resourced ones, with all types of schools reporting the curriculum was a success and that students were engaged and excited to learn.

Getting students excited about technology and growing their confidence with hands-on learning is critical at the middle school level. Without access to quality technology education, students fall behind before they reach high school which means they do not have the digital fluency needed to succeed in school and in life. Filling this critical gap is the mission of CompTIA Spark.

With the new free curriculum, teachers can guide middle grade students through engaging project-based lessons that build capability using common applications and 21st century skills. Students gain a solid foundation in key technology concepts to prepare them for future opportunities — in high school and beyond.

Delivered through an online learning platform, the curriculum sparks interest in technology and how it is used in a wide variety of careers. For example, the Tech Exploration units have interactive lessons that show how tech skills are used in roles like product design, market research, accounting, marketing and more. Meanwhile, the Emerging Tech units focus on artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and smart home technology. Full access to the curriculum is available to middle grade educators absolutely free — to empower more teachers to teach the subject, even if they have not taught it previously.

A recent special report from Education Week highlighted how schools have been “struggling to recruit and retain math and science teachers for decades,” let alone educators who can teach technology subjects. The report also stressed the fact that current teachers need to be given opportunities to be able to teach new subjects related to emerging fields and technologies — with this being a solution to tackling the shortage.

“Because of the way the curriculum is intentionally designed, we are able to take the burden off the teacher by providing high-quality technology curriculum that middle grade teachers can use in their classroom regardless of their past experience with the subject,” says Parker. “Getting this free resource into the hands of teachers can help close the gap in technology education that currently exists at the middle school level. CompTIA Spark curriculum is free, and always will be free, because it is a gift from the tech industry to future generations.”

Districts, schools and individual teachers are invited to explore the curriculum and get started at comptiaspark.org.

About CompTIA Spark

CompTIA Spark develops free high-quality technology curriculum for middle grade classrooms to close a critical gap in technology education that exists before high school. This work improves student outcomes and success, and helps ensure a diverse talent pipeline for the technology workforce. CompTIA Spark is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates as the charitable arm of the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), a leading voice and advocate for the global information technology ecosystem and a trusted provider of technical training and IT certifications. Learn more at comptiaspark.org.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Laura Perillo and/or Cristina De Guia
news@comptiaspark.org

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/comptia-spark-introduces-free-high-quality-technology-curriculum-for-middle-grade-classrooms-302268032.html

SOURCE CompTIA Spark

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Appy Pie’s No-Code AI Design Platform Simplifies Holiday Creations for Christmas Posters and Avatars

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December 21, 2024

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NEW DELHI, Dec. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Appy Pie Design, a leading No-code AI Design Platform, offers businesses and individuals an easy way to create Christmas posters and avatars for this upcoming holiday season. With its enhanced suite of AI-powered tools, the platform allows users to design festive visuals effortlessly, making it a go-to choice for creative holiday solutions.

Also, users can create unique, seasonally-themed avatars to showcase their holiday spirit across social media and professional platforms. These Christmas avatars can be used to personalize social media profiles, email signatures, or even professional platforms, spreading holiday cheer in both casual and formal settings.

“Our platform is designed to make the holidays easier and more joyful for everyone,” said Abhinav Girdhar, CEO of Appy Pie. “By providing accessible and creative solutions, we aim to help users connect meaningfully during this festive season.”

The AI Animation Generator enables users to bring their holiday ideas to life with engaging and dynamic visuals. The platform provides flexibility and convenience, making it an indispensable tool for celebrating the holiday season creatively and efficiently.

For those looking to turn static visuals into dynamic content, the Image to Video AI tool transforms still images into alluring videos. This functionality adds a new dimension to holiday designs, making them more interactive and impactful.

About Appy Pie
Appy Pie, a Trademark of Appy Pie LLP, is a leading global platform offering a suite of no-code, AI-powered tools, including an app builder, website builder, workflow automation platform, graphic design software, chatbot builder, help desk software, and live chat software, to help businesses and individuals design, build, and automate. With a user-friendly interface and a wide range of customizable templates, Appy Pie empowers users to create professional-grade applications, websites, and automation without coding expertise. Appy Pie caters to diverse needs from entrepreneurs to established enterprises by providing innovative solutions for various industries.

Media Contact
Abhinav Girdhar
sales@appypie.com
+1 888 322 7617

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/appy-pies-no-code-ai-design-platform-simplifies-holiday-creations-for-christmas-posters-and-avatars-302337846.html

SOURCE Appy Pie

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The Art of Lightness: ASUS to Unveil World’s Lightest Copilot+ PC

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December 21, 2024

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LAS VEGAS, Dec. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — ASUS is set to debut the world’s lightest Copilot+ PC during the AIways Incredible launch event on January 7, 2025. This groundbreaking laptop redefines ultra-light, AI-powered performance and will kick off CES 2025 with a live global stream.

Join the AIways Incredible Launch Event Online:

Date: January 7 at 9:00 AM PST

Event Page: https://asus.click/ces25_teaser

Teaser Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLgFyI5jnbQ 

This latest solution will be part of the ASUS Zenbook series of laptops and offers several innovative aspects to look forward to.

The Art of Lightness Meets Next-Gen Technology

The ultra-light design of the world’s lightest Copilot+ PC is set to redefine possibilities for mobility on AI devices, offering a portable partner and collaborator for the modern user. It is the perfect blend of elegance and functionality, offering a seamless experience for professionals, creators, and everyday users alike. Inspired by minimalism and nature, the design philosophy celebrates quiet luxury without sacrificing innovation.

Intelligent Innovation with Copilot+ AI

The new Zenbook is more than a laptop—it is a smart partner designed to revolutionize productivity. Powered by Copilot+ AI, it delivers intuitive, adaptive workflows, seamless collaboration, and smarter performance tailored to user needs.

Performance Without Compromise

Despite its ultra-light design, the laptop boasts robust performance and an impressive 32-hour battery life, offering continuous productivity that makes it ideal for travelling, remote work, and on-the-go productivity. Full specs, including details of the cutting-edge processor, will be unveiled during the event.

AIways Incredible at CES 2025

The launch marks a key milestone for ASUS in shaping the AI era. Viewers around the world will discover the complete AI-powered capabilities of the revolutionary Zenbook, redefining the future of computing.

Tune in on January 7 to experience AIways Incredible for yourself: https://asus.click/ces25_teaser

About ASUS
ASUS is a global technology leader that provides the world’s most innovative and intuitive devices, components, and solutions to deliver incredible experiences that enhance the lives of people everywhere. With its team of 5,000 in-house R&D experts, ASUS is world-renowned for continuously reimagining today’s technologies for tomorrow, garners more than 11 awards every day for quality, innovation, and design, and is ranked among Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-art-of-lightness-asus-to-unveil-worlds-lightest-copilot-pc-302337417.html

SOURCE ASUSTek Computer INC.

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IGF 2024 Concludes 19th Edition, Calling for Enhanced Digital Cooperation and Sustainable Development

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December 21, 2024

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Dec. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) successfully concluded its 19th edition, hosted in Riyadh at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center from December 15 to 19, 2024. Organized by the United Nations, the event featured over 100 experts, specialists, officials, and stakeholders from 160 countries, alongside more than 1,000 international speakers.

The forum served as a distinguished platform for global digital transformation experts, fostering discussions on artificial intelligence and digital innovation. It provided an opportunity for the exchange of experiences, information, and best practices, while addressing emerging digital challenges and collaboratively identifying solutions across governments, private enterprises, and non-profit sectors.

This year’s edition was held under the theme “Building Our Multistakeholder Digital Future” and centered around four key sub-themes: Harnessing Innovation and Balancing Risks in the Digital Space; Enhancing Digital Contribution to Peace, Development and Sustainability; Advancing Human Empowerment and Inclusiveness in the Digital Age; and Improving Digital Governance for the Internet We Want.

Discussions focused on achieving a shared understanding of how to maximize the global internet’s potential, mitigate risks, and address challenges to support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Key topics included leveraging digital innovation while addressing associated challenges, supporting strategic digital government initiatives, and promoting global peace and sustainability through digital tools.

His Excellency the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Eng. Abdullah bin Amer Alswaha, expressed his great pride in the forum’s success, saying, “This year’s edition of the forum is the largest to date in terms of participants and working sessions, as confirmed by the United Nations. As one of the fastest-growing countries in the digital sector, Saudi Arabia is committed not only to facilitating internet access and harnessing technological developments to drive progress and sustainable development, but also to enhancing digital cooperation to achieve the SDGs.”

The forum’s activities featured a strong presence from public and private sector institutions and international entities dedicated to enabling digital transformation and fostering innovation. Success stories were showcased, demonstrating how these entities have accelerated digital government services for the benefit of society. Sessions and workshops addressed critical digital challenges, transformative applications of digital innovations, and opportunities for adopting and expanding access to digital technology and governance.

Participants engaged enthusiastically in interactive sessions with experts who shed light on diverse aspects of internet governance and digital collaboration, responding to inquiries and providing valuable insights. These interactions offered Saudi national cadres and emerging talents an exceptional opportunity to expand their knowledge and expertise.

The forum was an opportunity to showcase the Kingdom’s great capabilities in communications and information technology, the tremendous digital developments and achievements in e-commerce, banking, healthcare services, and official government transactions.

The forum also served as a platform to highlight Saudi Arabia’s remarkable advancements in communications and information technology, including progress in e-commerce, banking, healthcare services, and official government transactions. It reaffirmed the Kingdom’s rapid strides in building a thriving digital economy, its leadership in promoting digital inclusion, and its efforts to bridge the global digital divide in alignment with the UN’s SDGs.

By hosting the 19th edition of IGF, Riyadh reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to solidifying its position as a global leader in digital innovation, international cooperation, and shaping the future of internet governance.

For more information about the Internet Governance Forum, please visit: https://www.intgovforum.org/en

For more information about the Digital Government Authority, please visit: https://dga.gov.sa/en

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/igf-2024-concludes-19th-edition-calling-for-enhanced-digital-cooperation-and-sustainable-development-302337853.html

SOURCE Internet Governance Forum

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