Educational Technology

By Rand Spiwak, Campus Technology

The acceptance and adoption of digital content in the classroom has been a slow, but, progressing evolution. Until all of the components of a successful conversion were available to higher education, adoption had been limited and digital content experiences less than desirable. Now, these components (interactive digital content, fully functional learning-experience platform software, hardware, connectivity and affordability) are readily available and are being piloted and implemented at increasing rates of acceptance and success. Students are demanding lower-cost alternatives to the current printed textbook and are seeking those alternatives through various means. Out of a hundred students, 50 percent or more don’t acquire a textbook because of cost, rather than availability; another 30 to 35 percent seek less expensive used textbooks from college bookstores, online sources, other students or anywhere they find a source.

http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/08/26/e-texts-and-the-future-of-the-college-bookstore.aspx

by Vinoth Chandar, EdSurge

In education, technology is being proposed as a possible solution to the widespread teacher shortages reported across the country. While some propose higher pay to encourage more of America’s brightest college graduates to enter the profession, others are looking for answers in blended learning, asking how districts can use online technologies to refashion classrooms and make the teachers we already have more effective. One supporter of the latter idea is Mallory Dwinal, a fellow at the Clayton Christensen Institute, a nonprofit think tank that conducts research on education innovation. In a report published earlier this year (PDF), she argues “disruptive technologies” can make the classroom more flexible, productive, and perhaps even more attractive to young professionals.

https://www.edsurge.com/news/2015-08-26-can-blended-learning-solve-the-us-teacher-drought

by Codementor

“Unlike existing MOOCs where students learn via pre-recorded videos, Codementor Live Classes enable students to learn how to code with a live instructor in a small group setting,” said Weiting Liu, Founder & CEO of Codementor. “With Live Classes, we’re expanding our product line beyond more than just 1:1 mentoring. Students can now learn new technologies from a live code mentor at a much more affordable price range, starting from $99 for an 8-hour class series.” Codementor Live Classes are now available in some of the most popular programming languages today. In the Live Classes, students will receive live instruction and hands-on coding exercises. Students will also have the opportunity to ask questions and participate in discussions for more enhanced and effective learning.

http://www.virtual-strategy.com/2015/08/27/codementor-changing-landscape-online-education-launch-live-classes#axzz3k2gJeRht

by YouGov

The national US student loan debt currently stands at around 1.2 trillion dollars and the cost of a college degree continues to rise. Online learning may be a way to keep down those costs. 36% of Americans have embarked on an online learning course, the number driven primarily by millennials at 46% but more than a quarter of the over 55s (28%) have also participated in some form of online learning. 35% of all Americans would consider taking an online course in the next 12 months. Of those adult Americans who have taken an online learning course more than half (57%) have taken single classes outside of a full program but 40% have taken a full program leading to accreditation. 20% have taken a full online program leading to a degree or post-graduate degree.

https://today.yougov.com/news/2015/08/26/americans-are-online-learning/

By Jonathan Bloom, KGO

Pixar created films like “Toy Story” and “Monsters Inc.” but the latest production from the Emeryville-based animation studios stars a different cast of characters, ones like algebra and trigonometry. It’s the first chapter in a new effort to get kids, who are excited about Pixar’s movies, to be enthusiastic about learning. Working with the online educators at Khan Academy, they built a free online course that’s truly interactive. “They’re simplified versions of tools that artists use here at Pixar,” Derose said. The lectures are given by Pixar animators. They start with the basics and get into the nitty-gritty.

http://abc7news.com/education/pixar-teaches-kids-the-math-behind-the-movies-in-online-class/958656/

by BARRY LEVINE, Venture Beat

For all those students who have had trouble wrapping their heads around a subject — and who hasn’t? — a New York City-based company called Knewton has a free solution. It will wrap the subject around your head. The seven-year-old company is today opening up for free its adaptive learning platform. Previously, it was available only via licensing deals that utilized textbook content from over two dozen publishers. Now, any teacher, student, parent, or other learner can learn — at no cost — K-12 math, English, science, and history, with other subjects coming.

http://venturebeat.com/2015/08/26/knewton-opens-up-its-100m-learning-platform-that-discovers-how-you-learn/