Generation YES, is a U.S. non-profit organization that works with schools around the world to empower underserved students and ensure that technology investments in education are both cost effective and meaningful. Dennis Harper is the founder and CEO. Generation YES programs focus on student centered, project-based learning "experiences that impact student's lives and increase student involvement in school and community through the use of technology. In addition, all Generation YES programs improve the use of technology in the school as a whole."
History
Generation YES was founded by Dr. Dennis Harper in 1995 when he was a technology director for the Olympia, Washingtonschool district. He wrote a United States Department of EducationTechnology InnovationChallenge Grant proposal to develop an initiative to involve children in the acceptance of technology in curriculum. The grant was approved in 1996 for five years, concluding in 2001. Currently, the organization is a 501 supported by schools and partnerships with other organizations to develop customized student technology programs.
Programs
Today, Generation YES provides K-12 schools across the U.S. with two foundational programs. GenYES has students assist teachers as they integrate technology in classrooms. These students are denoted as Student Technology Leaders. Student Technology Leaders are then partnered with teachers to support efforts to integrate technology in classrooms by doing hardware and software support and even designing professional development. TechYES focuses on students completing project-based learning activities demonstrating their technology literacy and Common Core competency. In this program, Student Technology Leaders assist other students with the technology elements and initial assessments of projects. According to Generation YES, more than 1,000 schools are currently using their programs.
Awards and recognition
In 2000, GenYES was awarded one of two "Exemplary" designations by the U.S. Department of EducationEducational Technology Expert Panel. The ED then wrote a publication about Generation YES and its status, reporting that, In 2003 Generation YES was named "Rookie of the Year" at the EdNET Industry Awards. Founder Dennis Harper has also received numerous accolades due to his work related to Generation YES. The company and its programs have been featured in numerous important education publications, technology industry magazines, and academic journals. Edutopia, a respected progressive education magazine published by the George Lucas Educational Foundation, has interviewed a www.Y program support specialist in 2001, and subsequently featured Generation YES twice. Other publications, including Educational Leadership and T.H.E. Journal, Curriculum Review have highlighted GenYES as well. In 2005 the Encyclopedia of Distance Learning wrote that,
