The Houston Independent School District will showcase the power of digital teaching and learning as students demonstrate their abilities on Thursday during HISD’s first Digital Learning Expo.

The Digital Learning Expo will feature students and teachers from 41 HISD schools, all showcasing what they do each day and how the power of digital learning has transformed their classrooms into dynamic, 21st century learning labs. Their work will be on display from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, prior to the start of the Board of Education March meeting.

HISD also will participate on Friday in national Digital Learning Day. The district was one of four from across the country selected to join with thousands of teachers in Washington D.C. to celebrate the successful merging of technology and education.

“HISD is in the midst of a digital revolution that is transforming teaching and learning,” HISD Superintendent Terry Grier said. “We have made a conscious effort to change the culture of our high schools through digital-age instruction and to create a personalized learning environment that truly prepares our students for higher education and careers in the 21st century.”

HISD — as well as Baltimore County Public Schools, Huntsville School District in Arkansas, and Vista Unified School District in California — was selected to participate in the Digital Learning Day because of its efforts to embrace and advance digital content and curriculum and to use technology to improve student learning for traditionally underserved students. Each district was selected by the Alliance for Excellent Education, a national policy and advocacy organization dedicated to ensuring all students, especially those who are underserved, graduate college and career ready.

HISD is transforming 21st century teaching and learning through PowerUp, a comprehensive, digital learning initiative that includes providing laptops to all high school students, phasing out textbooks for digital content and curriculum, providing professional development that will help teachers learn how to incorporate digital resources in their classroom, and implementing the HUB, a K-12 online teaching and learning platform accessible to students, teachers, and parents. More than 40,000 HISD students at 32 high schools currently have laptops to use at school and home as part of the one-to-one component.

“We are very excited to be featured on National Digital Learning Day and be a part of its vision,” HISD Elementary Curriculum and Development Officer Lance Menster said.” We’re energized to be a part of the national educational community sharing the best ideas and resources on the most effective uses of technology in the classroom.”

HISD teachers and students are encouraged to use social media — #HISDdigital — on Friday to share how they use technology in their classrooms.