Educational Technology

June 23, 2014

Report: 83 Percent of High Schools Offer Online Courses

Filed under: Educational Technology — admin @ 12:39 am

By Joshua Bolkan, THEJournal

Only 17 percent of high schools do not currently offer any online classes and more than 40 percent are offering online courses in English language arts, history, math or science, according to the latest report from Project Tomorrow’s Speak Up report. Based on online survey responses from more than 400,000 teachers, administrators, students and community members, the latest report, “The New Digital Learning Playbook: Advancing College and Career Skill Development in K-12 Schools,” examines attitudes about technology’s role in preparing K-12 students for higher education and careers. The reasons principals who participated in the survey cited for offering online classes include offering remediation, at a rate of 66 percent, Keeping students engaged, at 63 percent and to provide credit recovery options, at 61 percent.

http://thejournal.com/articles/2014/06/11/report-83-percent-of-high-schools-offer-online-courses.aspx

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Mobile Devices: 70 Percent of School Districts Have Substantial Deployments

Filed under: Educational Technology — admin @ 12:36 am

By David Nagel, THEJournal

Mobile may once have been proscribed tech on American K-12 campuses, but it now enjoys a “substantial presence in most school districts.” According to a new report published by ed tech firm IESD, more than two-thirds of school districts in the United States have mobile technologies deployed in a significant number of their classrooms. The report, “2014 National Survey on Mobile Technology for K-12 Education,” surveyed more than 300 school district leaders to gauge their attitudes toward mobile technology and examine how mobile tech is being used in instruction. The report — the third annual edition — was produced by IESD in collaboration with STEM Market Impact and MCH Strategic Data. According to the report, 70.8 percent of district leaders said that mobile tech has been adopted in at least a quarter of their schools, with another 9.8 percent saying adoption is likely to happen in the next couple years.

http://thejournal.com/articles/2014/06/12/mobile-devices-70-percent-of-school-districts-have-substantial-deployments.aspx

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Predictive Analytics in K-12: Advantages, Limitations & Implementation

Filed under: Educational Technology — admin @ 12:30 am

By Vasuki Rethinam, THE Journal

Predictive analytics is growing rapidly in popularity among school district leaders. K-12 school districts are collaborating with universities and businesses (IBM, Dell) at an accelerating pace, using advanced analytics to create innovative new models and tools to advance students’ performance. Many school districts across the nation are now using predictive analytics to predict and monitor student performance to improve learning. School districts use predictive analytics in several ways….

http://thejournal.com/articles/2014/06/12/predictive-analytics-in-k-12-advantages-limitations-implementation.aspx

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June 22, 2014

Why It’s Time To Rethink (And Question) Homework

Filed under: Educational Technology — admin @ 12:41 am

By Katie Lepi, Edudemic

The concept of homework as we have known it in the past is changing rapidly, since it often distorts the overall picture of learning. Flipped classrooms, the ability to use the same technology and tools both in and out of the classroom, and personalized learning are making ripples in the education world. And while most of us think about these things and how they apply to the classroom and what we do there, we don’t always talk about how that changes what we have our students doing at home (aside from perhaps discussions on flipped classrooms).

http://www.edudemic.com/rethink-and-question-homework/

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How the Internet Can Keep Kids Excited About Learning this Summer

Filed under: Educational Technology — admin @ 12:34 am

by Scoop San Diego

In summer, keeping kids busy means camp, pool time and outdoor games. But all that sun, fun and physical activity should also be well-balanced with mental exercise. With that in mind, here are several ways kids and parents can use the Internet to focus on education when class is not in session. Nothing beats one-on-one learning time to improve grades and build confidence and yet most kids learn in large groups all school year. Students can get that one-to-one time this summer with online tutoring. Available 24/7 with expert tutors in more than 40 subjects, Tutor.com is a great way to help students brush up on concepts and keep their skills sharp all in a secure online learning environment that is accessible from any computer or mobile device.

http://scoopsandiego.com/online_features/education/how-the-internet-can-keep-kids-excited-about-learning-this/article_11f67a48-9ec5-547c-bad2-18b39b574812.html

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Learning to Adapt

Filed under: Educational Technology — admin @ 12:28 am

By Paul Fain, Inside Higher Ed

The term “adaptive learning” can mean many things, even to colleges that have begun experimenting with it. A broad definition is the use of software — often driven by data collection — to create a more individualized learning experience for students. Experts say adaptive learning has promise in tailoring coursework and supports to students, which could boost retention and graduation rates. The language around the technology “seems to be up for grabs,” said Peter Stokes, executive director of postsecondary innovation at Northeastern University’s College of Professional Studies. The distinction between “adaptive” and “personalized” learning is unclear, he said. Even old-fashioned tutoring or extra-credit projects can be called personalized learning, as can data-driven courseware that morphs in response to each student.

http://www.click2houston.com/news/money/In-state-students-getting-squeezed-out-at-public-universities/26453602

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June 21, 2014

Education, My Career: The digital classroom

Filed under: Educational Technology — admin @ 12:40 am

by Kristie Kellahan, the Age

Significant growth in the tertiary education field is occurring in the online arena, with increasing numbers of students expanding their skills without leaving their house. A recent survey of Open Colleges students found that two-thirds of students surveyed already had jobs while completing their online studies. A third of those surveyed said they were studying in order to make a career change. Online learning appealed because they could study anywhere, any time and at their own pace.

http://www.theage.com.au/business/education-my-career-the-digital-classroom-20140612-zs56v.html

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WHAT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE FUTURE WILL LOOK LIKE

Filed under: Educational Technology — admin @ 12:35 am

By Brittany Ballenstedt, Next Gov

Four years ago, Microsoft Founder Bill Gates predicted that technology and the Internet would make “place-based colleges” less relevant and bring down the cost of a college education to just $2,000. Now, students around the world tend to agree, with many citing a belief that the university of the future will be accessible, flexible, innovative and job-focused, with a particular emphasis on lifelong learning. That’s according to a new survey commissioned by Laureate International and performed by Zogby Analytics, which found students predict a future where classes will be offered at various times throughout the day and year.

http://www.nextgov.com/cio-briefing/wired-workplace/2014/06/what-university-future-will-look/86275/

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3 Ways to Get Faculty Up to Speed With Technology

Filed under: Educational Technology — admin @ 12:30 am

By Dian Schaffhauser, Campus Technology

When it comes to teaching with technology, or even teaching in general, most faculty could use a little support. To provide the resources, ideas and inspiration faculty need to become better instructors, higher education institutions typically create some form of Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), devoted to fostering teaching excellence across the board. But it’s not enough for these organizations to help individual instructors learn how to deliver their courses, engage students and manage their classrooms. These days, much of a CTL’s attention is directed to helping faculty evolve their instructional practices for a technology-laden learning environment — whether for online or hybrid courses; as part of active learning programs; or to better exploit the benefits of technical resources such as learning management systems.

http://campustechnology.com/articles/2014/06/04/3-ways-to-get-faculty-up-to-speed-with-technology.aspx

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June 20, 2014

7 Fantastic Apps for Making Media

Filed under: Educational Technology — admin @ 12:40 am

By Graphite, Common Sense Media

Common Sense Media’s service Graphite, which offers independent ratings and reviews of learning apps and websites, has compiled this list of its top apps that help students create digital media. For a listing and reviews see the URL below.

http://thejournal.com/articles/2014/05/15/7-fantastic-apps-for-making-media.aspx

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28 Free and Cheap Resources to Help You Teach Common Core

Filed under: Educational Technology — admin @ 12:35 am

By Dian Schaffhauser, THE Journal

You can see more great feature articles in the latest issue of our monthly digital edition. Yes, we know it’s tough to make the transition to the Common Core State Standards — or whatever new learning standards your state has put in place for math, English language arts and science. But there are plenty of amazing resources out there designed to help you come up with new lessons, get professional development and manage your OERs. So if you’re looking to invigorate your classroom with games, video, personalization and other student favorites, this list is a great place to start. And best of all, most of the tools below won’t cost you or your school a dime.

http://thejournal.com/articles/2014/06/10/28-free-and-cheap-resources-to-help-you-teach-common-core.aspx

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Report: Students Expect Future Universities To Be Flexible, Accessible, Career-Oriented

Filed under: Educational Technology — admin @ 12:30 am

By Joshua Bolkan, Campus Technology

The “2014 Global Survey of Students” compiled responses from more than 20,800 students at 37 institutions in the Laureate network. Students from 21 countries participated in the survey, which sought student opinions on what universities would look like in 15 years. More than two-thirds, 68 percent, of students surveyed said they believe the university of the future will offer “free online libraries where students can access course materials and books and other reference tools,” according to a summary of the findings. Fifty-nine percent told researchers they “believe that students will utilize social media platforms to learn and in turn to teach other students,” and a 43-percent plurality said they believe universities will offer free online content for most courses.

http://campustechnology.com/articles/2014/06/09/report-students-expect-future-universities-to-be-flexible-accessible-career-oriented.aspx

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Twitter: Best Practices For Educators #ReinventingWriting

Filed under: Educational Technology — admin @ 12:30 am

By Vicki Davis, Edudemic

Twitter is an incredible tool for any classroom,if you know how to use it. Teachers like Karen Lirenman and Kathy Cassidy show us how even very young children benefit greatly from the safe online connections through their teachers. If you’re still not convinced read the 100 Ways to Use Twitter in the Classroom right here on Edudemic. In my new book Reinventing Writing, I share many of the best practices for the effective classroom use of Twitter. Now that you want to use Twitter, here are the essential apps, hashtags, and tips to help you to work efficiently and get the most out of your tweets.

http://www.edudemic.com/twitter-best-practices-educators-reinventingwriting/

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June 19, 2014

Irish students to get classes in tackling cyberbullying

Filed under: Educational Technology — admin @ 12:37 am

by Adrian Weckler, the Independent

Irish pupils are among the most likely to experience cyberbullying. A confidential report is to recommend to the Cabinet that anti-cyberbullying lessons are introduced as a “core element” in primary and secondary school curriculums. Teachers need to be brought up to speed with internet trends and more money is needed for tech-shy parents, the report, seen by the Irish Independent, says. The addition of classes relating specifically to online abuse would be a new departure for schools but comes after an EU study identified Irish children as being among the most likely in Europe to experience some form of cyberbullying. The ‘Report Of The Internet Content Governance Advisory Group’ sets out a wide range of measures that the Government should implement to make the internet safer for children.

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/students-to-get-classes-in-tackling-cyberbullying-30340936.html

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U-Penn. president Gutmann remains bullish on free online courses

Filed under: Educational Technology — admin @ 12:35 am

By Nick Anderson, Washington Post

Amy Gutmann, president of the University of Pennsylvania, said in a recent visit to Washington that she remains fully committed to the MOOC experiment. Penn, she said, invested $2 million in equity in the MOOC provider known as Coursera. The private Ivy League university in Philadelphia is getting a small trickle of revenue from the venture, Gutmann said, but it is still spending more on the courses than it is getting back. Penn has one of the longer listings of offerings on the Coursera catalog, spanning 33 courses. They include Greek and Roman Mythology, Single Variable Calculus and — from the Wharton business school — an Introduction to Corporate Finance. There is even one for international students called Applying to U.S. Universities. “A lot has happened” in the past two years, Gutmann said in late April. “Our courses alone have enrolled over 2 million students.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/u-penn-president-gutmann-remains-bullish-on-free-online-courses/2014/06/09/2b8828aa-efe0-11e3-bf76-447a5df6411f_story.html

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Four things I wish I’d known about the flipped classroom

Filed under: Educational Technology — admin @ 12:28 am

By Robert Talbert, Chronicle of Higher Ed

I have been spending this week at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, North Carolina as a plenary speaker and instructional faculty at the Teaching and Learning Institute of the Appalachian College Association. I wanted to share another thing I did this week, which was to give a talk to the faculty at Ecole Centrale Paris, one of the foremost technical universities in France on the flipped classroom. I was able to be in two places at the same time because the talk to ECP was given via pre-recorded video. That talk was given at the same time as my plenary talk at Lenoir-Rhyne, in fact! Is there a prize for this? The talk was titled, “Four Things I Wish I Had Known About the Flipped Classroom” and is about, well, what it says it’s about.

http://chronicle.com/blognetwork/castingoutnines/2014/06/05/four-things-i-wish-id-known-about-the-flipped-classroom/

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June 18, 2014

New ACT will have STEM focus

Filed under: Educational Technology — admin @ 12:40 am

by eCampus News

The popular ACT college admissions exam is broadening how it reports students’ scores. The exam’s traditional 36-point scale remains unchanged. But, starting next year, students will also receive an ACT score on two new “readiness indicators” reflecting how they did in terms of career readiness and understanding complex text, the nonprofit testing organization announced Friday. A new category will offer students a separate score on STEM performance — short for science, technology, engineering and math — that combines the science and math portions.

http://www.ecampusnews.com/top-news/act-score-stem-007/

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4 education grants you don’t want to miss

Filed under: Educational Technology — admin @ 12:36 am

By Laura Devaney, eSchool News

School grants offer much-needed financial help for schools.  School funding difficulties show no sign of abating, and school budgets are stretched to the limit. Many educators and administrators rely on school grants to fund important projects and opportunities for students. Each month, eSchool News compiles a list of the most current education grants expiring soon—from a focus on cultural traditions to prizes for deserving educators. You don’t want to miss out on these June school funding opportunities for teachers, students, parents, and administrators.

http://www.eschoolnews.com/2014/06/06/four-june-grants-902/2/

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3D Pens in the Classroom

Filed under: Educational Technology — admin @ 12:31 am

By Martha Slack, Edudemic

The recent 3D printing explosion on the educational market has left many educators wondering how they can afford to integrate this technology into the classroom. Most schools do not have the luxury of purchasing a 3D printer but still want to provide the experience for their students. 3D pens made their debut on Kickstarter this year as an affordable 3D printing option. After the initial investment of the pens, they are an incredibly affordable tool for classrooms. The pens allow students to illustrate – in 3D – concepts in math, history, art, design, and chemistry, giving them a tangible means to explore complex ideas.

http://www.edudemic.com/3d-pens-classroom/

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June 17, 2014

Using iPads To Support Synchronous Collaboration: Examples from 1st Grade

Filed under: Educational Technology — admin @ 12:38 am

By Cathie Norris, Elliot Soloway, THE Journal

Can first-graders — first-graders, short, 6-7 year olds — create concept maps with labeled nodes and arcs? Yes. Can first-graders create concepts maps collaboratively — working with two to three other first-graders? Yes! In today’s blog, we will recount our amazing experiences in classrooms in the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools (PCCS), MI, where three first grade teachers in two different elementary schools used WeMap, a collabrified concept mapping app that runs on iPads (and Android, and soon, Windows Phone 8) with their first grade students.

http://thejournal.com/articles/2014/06/04/using-ipads-to-support-synchronous-collaboration.aspx

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A Solution To The Cross Platform Classroom Problem

Filed under: Educational Technology — admin @ 12:34 am

By Jennifer Carey, Edudemic

Working in an unpredictable environment is especially challenging. As educators, we want to provide the most effective and innovative learning environment possible for our students. At the same time, it can be challenging to initiate a sophisticated, 21st century project with an eye to address the individual technology set-up of hundreds of students. Over the years of working in blended environments, I have found some solutions that allow me to assign sophisticated, robust projects without making me – or my students – go crazy in the process!

http://www.edudemic.com/cross-platform-classroom/

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