Educational Technology

By Sandra Tan, Buffalo News

From use of webcasts to computer software, digital gap evident as students show skills. In an ideal world, better use of technology in the classroom would enable students to absorb more in class while subjecting them to less homework, November said. It would provide better peer-to-peer assistance and get kids more engaged in the assignments they do take home. And the good news is that teachers don’t have to know everything there is to know about the Web and technology to incorporate high-tech ideas into their lesson plans. They just need to know where to turn for curriculum advice and hands-on assistance, November said. Give a 9-year-old the tools and the time, he said, and he or she will likely come back with results.

http://www.buffalonews.com/city/schools/article220233.ece

by Pearson Education

Under the agreement, ASU faculty will continue to design and teach every online course as well as establish and enforce all instructional and academic policies. Pearson will provide: Pearson LearningStudio, its learning management system, for the delivery of ASU online programs; Academic Enterprise Reporting to monitor and analyze trends in student performance; and Learning Outcome Manager for tracking the achievement of learning objectives and goals. In addition, Pearson will provide enrollment services for ASU Online undergraduate programs, to include engagement, retention and student support. Pearson will employ prospect generation services and admission services to better connect with and keep students engaged during every stage of the enrollment process.

http://www.pearsoned.com/press/2010/10/11/asu-partners-with-pearson-to-expand-online-learning-services.htm

by Olivia Young, The Athens Ohio U Post

Students no longer need to weigh the pros and cons of skipping class – The Should I Skip Class Today? Calculator, an online resource, can make the decision for them. The idea started one morning when Jim Filbert, a 2010 Bowling Green graduate, woke up troubled by the thought of braving the cold February air to go to class. He searched the Internet for a website to help him decide whether to play hooky and, to his surprise, there was no such thing. He created skipclasscalculator.com, a website that measures the risk of skipping class by asking the student 10 questions, including “How many days have you already skipped?” “What is your current grade in the class?” and “Does this class have some form of attendance policy?”

http://thepost.ohiou.edu/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=5&ArticleID=32696

By Nathesh, TMCnet

Next Generation Learning Challenges released the first of a series of RFPs recently to solicit funding proposals for technology applications that can improve postsecondary education. This round of funding will total up to $20 million, including grants that range from $250,000 to $750,000. Applicants with top-rated proposals will receive funds to expand their programs and demonstrate effectiveness in serving larger numbers of students. Proposals are due Nov. 19 and the winners are expected to be announced by March 31, 2011. Next Generation Learning Challenges is led by EDUCAUSE, a nonprofit association, in partnership with the League for Innovation in the Community College, the International Association for K-12 Online Learning, and the Council of Chief State School Officers. An executive committee that includes these partners as well as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other funders guide the project’s overall efforts. EDUCAUSE holds the management and fiduciary responsibility for the program.

http://education.tmcnet.com/topics/education/articles/109600-bill-melinda-gates-foundation-next-generation-learning-challenges.htm

By Denise Harrison, THE Journal

A number of built-in features, tools, and add-ons are helping to propel Apple’s iPad into the classroom. Technology analyst Denise Harrison looks at the benefits of iPad in education and predicts some unanticipated applications.

http://thejournal.com/articles/2010/10/13/ushering-ipad-into-the-classroom.aspx

By Jeff Young

The vast majority of students say they prefer print textbooks over electronic ones, and attitudes have not shifted markedly in the past year, according to the results of a survey by the National Association of College Stores. The survey found that 76 percent of students would pick a printed book over an e-textbook if the choice was left entirely up to them. That’s the exact same proportion as in the previous year’s survey. The association surveyed 627 students at campuses across the United States this month. About 13 percent of the students said they had purchased an e-book in the past three months, and most of those said they did so because a digital edition was required by their professor.

http://chronicle.com/blogs/wiredcampus/students-remain-reluctant-to-try-e-textbooks-survey-finds/27866?sid=wc&utm_source=wc&utm_medium=en

By Mini Swamy, TMCnet

HP has partnered with JAR systems LLC, Absolute Software and Kensington in equipping the schools with technology that will allow teachers to incorporate computers into their curriculum, giving students a richer, interactive and personalized educational experience. “HP’s contributions have given these children technology upgrades that will allow them to take learning to the next level,” said Denise Cramsey, executive producer of “School Pride,” in a statement, and added that HP along with other partners had succeeded in making a tremendous impact at such neglected schools.

http://education.tmcnet.com/topics/education/articles/108522-hp-equips-neglected-schools-with-digital-technology.htm