Educational Technology

by London Evening Standard

On a bright afternoon in a London kitchen, Isabel, eight, and Tess, six, are running me through the basics of computer code. They are playing with a piece of software called Scratch, which was developed at the celebrated Media Lab at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It allows you to create characters, or “sprites”, place them on a background and then program them to do cool stuff. Isabel and Tess have made a cartoon crab. “I can make him speak,” says Isabel, “so I need to go here…” She clicks on a small recording icon and makes a sort of crab noise into the microphone. “Now, when I press this button” — she clicks the up arrow — “he makes a noise!” Mr Crab duly makes a noise. The girls use the drag-and-drop menus to programme other functions — to make their sprites move left or right or rotate — and arrange them in a script. It may sound simple, but the principle — if you press X, then Y will happen — is the basis of computational thinking. With a bit of fooling around you can use Scratch to create simple games, such as Asteroids or Space Invaders, and then share them online.

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/techandgadgets/meet-the-baby-geeks-8230385.html

By Carl Hooker, CIO Advisor

The cafeteria at Google has an almost biergarten style, with lots of long tables set up throughout. This set-up insists people from various groups sit together and hopefully strike up a conversation about a project that could revolutionize the industry, or just make life simple. They have several “micro-kitchens” set up throughout the complex to extend the old-school water-cooler conversation to something a little more modern. The micro-kitchens have all the amenities of home with an almost college dorm-like feel to them. Inside these you’ll find a large cappuccino machine, a cooler full of exotic waters and energy drinks, and even a ping pong and/or foosball table for a quick break. The basis of all of these Googly locations throughout the building is to force collaboration in a gentle way. I have to say, education could stand to learn a thing or two from their rationale too.

http://www.schoolcio.com/Default.aspx?tabid=136&EntryId=4972

By David Talbot, Technology Review

Around a 100 million first-grade-aged children lack access to schools. A foundation is testing whether poor children who are given computers and learning software can teach themselves. Tablet test: Nicholas Negroponte, founder of One Laptop Per Child, describes experiments involving children in Ethiopia at MIT Technology Review’s EmTech conference. With 100 million first-grade-aged children worldwide having no access to schooling, the One Laptop Per Child organization is trying something new in two remote Ethiopian villages—simply dropping off tablet computers with preloaded programs and seeing what happens. The goal: to see if illiterate kids with no previous exposure to written words can learn how to read all by themselves, by experimenting with the tablet and its preloaded alphabet-training games, e-books, movies, cartoons, paintings, and other programs. Early observations are encouraging, said Nicholas Negroponte, OLPC’s founder, at MIT Technology Review’s EmTech conference.

http://www.technologyreview.com/news/506466/given-tablets-but-no-teachers-ethiopian-children-teach-themselves/

by Brent Hannify, Technapex

In a new infographic from Online Courses, some data is revealed about the usage of video games in education. We’ve written about the concept on Technapex before, and soon I will post an article featuring some insights from some edtech startup companies focusing on games. This graphic is a useful look into the popularity (and unpopularity) of the practice.

A few key findings:

Less than 20 percent of teachers use games in class on a daily basis, and of those, 95 percent use games specifically created for educational use. 70 percent of teachers say that games increase student engagement, and 70 percent of kids agree.

http://www.technapex.com/2012/10/games-in-the-classroom-by-the-numbers-infographic/

by Jeff Dunn, Edudemic

The money is flying around MOOCs like you wouldn’t believe. One of the leaders in the Massive Open Online Course (MOOCs) industry, Udacity, just raised a staggering amount of money to help propel its vision of increasing the depth and breadth of its online offerings. Udacity, the online learning platform founded by former Stanford professor / Google X founder Sebastian Thrun, made the big announcement yesterday. In it, he disclosed that some of the biggest names in venture capital are now on board the Udacity train. They include Andreessen Horowitz, Charles River Ventures, and Steve Blank. In total, Udacity has now raised more than $22 million. Udacity is currently seeing more than 750,000 enrolled students (since January) and currently offers 14 courses. Doing the math, that’s a lot more students than you could ever fit into a physical classroom.

http://edudemic.com/2012/10/udacity-just-raised-a-staggering-15-million-in-funding/

by DIY Scholar

OpenLearning, a new Australian startup, recently announced its first roster of 4 free Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs): UNSW Computing 1, Observing and Analysing Performance in Sport, and two marketing courses. UNSW Computing 1, an introductory computer science programming taught by Richard Buckland, a senior lecturer at the University of New South Wales, is already underway, but enrollment is still open. OpenLearning’s plan is to offer both free “public” courses, and fee-based courses.

http://diyscholar.wordpress.com/2012/10/26/openlearning-launches-courses/

by Lydia Dobbins, Huffington Post

Students today live in a wired world. Educators strive to assure high school and post-secondary success for each student. We think it’s a pretty good idea to recognize where students live outside the classroom and provide learning experiences that are real, relevant and engaging during the school day and beyond. This means creating innovative learning environments built around a culture that empowers, curricula that engages, and technology that enables. In an average day, students interact and access data through various technologies — YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, texting — unless they encounter blocked sites due to district policies. Students’ private and public lives blur and blend together. In today’s educational world, it’s important to bridge the gap between students’ social and learning lives.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lydia-dobyns/students-flip-for-digital_b_2019223.html

By Ging-ging Avellanosa Valle, Sunstar Philippines

Never in my wildest imagination did I ever thought that one day my daughter will no longer be “taking home” her assignment in class, but that it would be waiting for her at home when she comes from school each day. Gone are the loads of homework from different subjects that were written on notebooks. And by the way, “notebook” nowadays is not what it used to be, since a very handy one which is even smaller than the big bulky 90+ pages can contain billions of pages in a matter of seconds. Take note also that there are just an increasing number of children who tag along their Notebooks (PC) in class, not only to record their daily activities, but rather to find, at their fingertips in a matter of minutes, everything that they needed to learn as required by their subjects.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/opinion/2012/10/27/valle-online-homework-21st-century-250032

by Jon Mitchell, ReadWrite Mobile

This is an interesting walk through the history of the smartphone from HTC’s perspective. It points out key products, moments and announcements from the companies that pioneered the mobile computer. As the timeline enters the age of ubiquitous mobility, it brings in key stats about mobile usage in terms of data, time, and people. There are also some kind-of-funny jokes.

http://readwrite.com/2012/10/26/the-evolution-of-the-smartphone-infographic

by Edudemic

Pinterest is quickly becoming one of the biggest sources inspiration and innovation when it comes to cooking, design, and education. That’s right, education is a prominent fixture on Pinterest now and that, of course, means that education technology plays a starring role. In an effort to help curate the massive amount of Pinterest boards about education technology, you can use the following list as a jumping off point to start your Pinterest journey. The following boards are curated by teachers, admins, and other education enthusiasts.

http://edudemic.com/2012/10/pinterest-education-technology/

by Milo Dailey, Butte County Post

It’s not likely students will show up on horseback, or that the county superintendent will oversee dozens of teachers in small, white-painted buildings – but the one-room school may be set for a return. Belle Fourche school board members are looking at how today’s technology can offer classrooms the flexibility for independent study and to give teachers the opportunity to help students each learn up to the best of their ability. Technically an entire school could be in a single space, just as in the old days of farm and ranch youngsters studying first through eighth grade together in a small schoolhouse. It all comes with the modern update of the antique students’ slate of the 19th century – today’s iPad and its cousins.

http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/communities/belle_fourche/computer-pads-may-bring-return-of-one-room-school/article_bdda6c0f-0ee2-5997-90ea-3c2a78322bda.html

By Kathleen Haughney, Sun-Sentinel

Gov. Rick Scott never shies away from an opportunity to tell the state that the unemployment rate is down or that a new company — no matter how big or small — is opening a Florida location or that job openings are growing. Last week, he announced the number of open high-tech jobs is up 9 percent from a year ago, with 64,000 jobs available in science, technology, engineering and math fields. It shows, it said, “we’re making significant strides and ensuring that Florida is a leader in growing industries.”

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2012-10-27/business/fl-scott-stem-grads-20121026_1_job-openings-university-leaders-graduate-degrees

By Blackboard Inc.

According to a mobile learning report released today from Blackboard Inc. and Project Tomorrow®, nearly 50 percent of high schoolers and 40 percent of middle schoolers now own or have access to a smartphone or tablet, marking a 400 percent increase since 2007. The report, which compares key opportunities and challenges in mobile device usage among K-12 students, finds that with this widespread adoption, more schools and school districts are considering the incorporation of mobile devices into instruction. While school and district administrators historically have been reluctant to allow students to use mobile devices at school, the report found that 27 percent of administrators are now exploring the idea

http://www.heraldonline.com/2012/10/22/4355467/half-of-high-schoolers-own-a-smartphone.html

by John Bombatch, Middletown Journal

When U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said this month that all schools should convert to digital textbooks, some less affluent school districts cried foul.  Between 35 percent and 40 percent of the population lacks access to broadband services, according to a recent study by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. The study’s findings account for people who choose not to receive broadband service and those who cannot afford it. Some Middletown area schools districts are working to find ways to incorporate electronic tablets and digital textbooks into classes in a cost effective way, including creating Bring Your Own Device policies.

http://www.cfmediaview.com/lp1.aspx?v=6_760401652_37122_12

By Leon Lin, MIT the Tech

MIT Professor and edX President Anant Agarwal is fond of saying that he sees edX as a “rising tide that will lift all boats,” that is, both for students attending an “X University” and those who aren’t. He envisions that those who are will benefit from “blended model” of education combining traditional classroom interaction with online content. Of the classes at MIT currently using edX software, the Experimental Studies Group and Concourse versions of 8.01 do so most extensively. Students access reading material, example exercises, videos, animations, and problem sets all on the edX platform. New concepts are introduced to students as they go through the online sequence. Students must demonstrate that they understand the new material by answering online “reading questions,” which are due before class. Then, during class, teachers can spend less time on theory and more time showing students how to untangle more involved problems.

http://tech.mit.edu/V132/N48/801edx.html

By Darryl K. Taft, eWeek

CyberCoders has a bead on the 10 hottest tech skills for the coming year. CyberCoders is a worldwide recruiting firm that uses technology and experienced recruiters in its passionate pursuit to match great people with great companies. This eWEEK presentation lists the hottest technical skills for 2013, based on CyberCoders data. Highly skilled technical professionals are some of the most coveted candidates in today’s workforce. With salaries that often begin at six figures, highly skilled technical positions for developers, software engineers and software architects remain in constant demand. As technology continues to evolve, CyberCoders identifies those skills that will be in the highest demand for 2013. These skills are ranked according to two primary factors: The number of open jobs requiring the skill and the number of jobs filled requiring the skill

http://www.eweek.com/developer/slideshows/json-html5-ios-10-hot-technical-skills-for-2013/

by John Morris, ZDNet

The Windows 8 launch seemed designed to put to rest any rumors that Microsoft is running away from the PC. Instead a parade of executives made the case that Windows 8 is the foundation for the “best PCs ever made”–ones designed to work as both laptops and tablets, and for both work and play. The purpose of the event was really to launch several products. New Windows 8 devices and software upgrades go on sale at 12:01 am local time tomorrow. The Windows Store–the app store, not the Microsoft retail stores–is also officially open for business. And Microsoft and its hardware partners will also begin selling Windows RT devices at the same time.

http://www.zdnet.com/windows-8-launch-microsoft-makes-the-case-for-the-pc-7000006406/?s_cid=e539

by Paul Boultin, Technology Review

They killed the Start button. That’s how serious Microsoft is about separating Windows 8 from its predecessors. For 17 years, ever since the company paid the Rolling Stones to use “Start Me Up” in its TV ads, the Start button has been the reliable go-to click for an entire generation of Windows users. But in Windows 8, which launches Friday, it doesn’t exist, not even as some sort of Classic Mode option. The message is clear: This isn’t Windows as you knew it. Why the big switch? The answer is that Microsoft is trying to leverage its Windows customer base to drive demand for the phones and tablets that are the company’s future.

http://www.technologyreview.com/news/506142/windows-8-does-microsofts-split-personality-os-make-sense/

by Jeremy Friedman, Forbes

The past few years have seen a steady influx of new investment, new companies and new opportunities in education technology. From technologies that live inside the classroom to technologies that inspire learning outside the classroom; from physical devices to mobile applications. School technology decisions are becoming more democratic, and the pervasiveness of Internet-connected devices is helping to lead a revolution. We are reaching a point in time where technology is empowering people toward a path of personalization, and almost every new technology in the education technology space today fills a cog in that wheel. The following are some of the top trends and market innovators leading the charge this coming year – attracting developers and investors along the way.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/ciocentral/2012/10/22/5-school-technologies-to-watch-personalized-learning-is-here/

by Edward Guiliano, Huffington Post

I call the new breed of students being born today “screeners.” More than any generation before them, they will have spent much of their time in front of a screen. Watching, learning, playing, making friends, communicating, purchasing, designing, working. Of course we see strong indications of this behavior and mindset already, but today’s students still use books, paper, and pencils in the classroom. According to neuroscientists, these up-and-coming screeners will have an uncanny ability to integrate an extraordinary range of disruptions, stimuli, and input at once. They will multitask more than any generation, they’ll make decisions faster, and they’ll connect the digital dots in creative ways to formulate new paradigms in learning, living, and working. For educators, this means creating open, responsible, digital environments — idea incubators, if you will, that promote and facilitate social interaction via a global classroom.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/edward-guiliano-phd/technology-higher-education_b_2008733.html

By Leila Meyer, THE Journal

Teachers and students with the Florida Virtual School (FLVS) will now have access to an online adaptive learning math program. The FLVS has announced a strategic alliance with DreamBox Learning, a provider of adaptive learning solutions. The alliance was forged after a decision by the state of Florida to allow students in kindergarten through grade 5 to access part-time online coursework through FLVS. FLVS is the first virtual institution to provide its teachers and students with access to the DreamBox Learning math program as part of an online or blended learning environment, according the company.

http://thejournal.com/articles/2012/10/25/florida-virtual-school-adopts-adaptive-learning-math-program.aspx