Educational Technology

by Akanksha Sharma, ATD

Online collaborative learning is one strategy that enables employees to work in groups, which may be geographically dispersed but interconnected, to foster a culture of productive learning and build an active learning community. Benefits include: learning through online communities of practice; active learning and sharing of expertise; breakdown of knowledge silos; meaningful connections with different points in a discussion; participants who are encouraged to reflect and expand their learning horizons, because they have time to consider all responses behavioral competencies such as teamwork, cooperation, communication, and problem solving; easy-to-manage content and organizational knowledge; access to recorded interactions, which makes it easy to monitor and assess various aspects and check understanding of concepts covered.

https://www.td.org/Publications/Blogs/L-and-D-Blog/2016/04/Adapting-to-Online-Collaborative-Learning

by Associated Press

A north Alabama school system is allowing high school students to customize their education in a way that seemed impossible a decade ago. The district, Hartselle City Schools, will expand those opportunities next year when it adds a law component to its system of academies, school officials said. The academies are subject-specific disciplines that offer elective classes students can take to start their freshman year. The academies give students who may not plan to attend college an opportunity to earn certification in certain vocations. For those seeking higher education, it’s an opportunity to earn college credit while gaining hands-on experience.

http://www.ccenterdispatch.com/news/state/article_8cc0e6b4-100f-5689-acc7-603120ae88ad.html

by Lydia Dishman, Fast Company

Data scientist is one of the most in demand jobs of the future. These three companies are trying to fill the skills gap. Harvard Business Review once called it “the sexiest job of the 21st century.” Data scientist is not only the top job this year (the position ranked number one on Glassdoor’s top jobs for 2016) but based on hiring demand and the potential for salary growth it’s poised to be the top job in the future as well. But there may not be enough people to fill it. A McKinsey report predicted that by 2018, “the United States alone could face a shortage of 140,000 to 190,000 people with deep analytical skills, as well as 1.5 million managers and analysts with the know-how to use the analysis of big data to make effective decisions.”

http://www.fastcompany.com/3058502/the-future-of-work/how-to-satisfy-demand-for-the-biggest-job-of-the-21st-century

by LISA KATZ, Crain’s Business

According to data from the Workforce Intelligence Network for Southeast Michigan (WIN), 40 percent of job postings identify communications skills — including verbal, written, and interpersonal skills — as a need. It is likely that the true number of job postings emphasizing communications skills is even higher, but the attribute is not specifically stated in the posting. WIN’s Eureka Report on preparing the workforce for innovative and disruptive technologies further underscores this research: It found that employers are less concerned about young peoples’ technical skills and more concerned about their abilities to relate and engage with others in the workplace.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20160405/BLOG107/160409927/communications-is-next-top-technical-skill

By Paul Riismandel, Streaming Media

Both inside and outside the classroom, video is as essential to students as email and Wi-Fi. Look for live streaming to increase in higher-ed, especially for popular events. Online video in education is the new normal. To grasp the full impact of that declaration, it’s important to take a step back from thinking only about memories of our own classrooms. Sure, video has come a long way in traditional teaching environments—something I won’t neglect in this review. But video takes a central role in learning in general. By the looks of it, LinkedIn agrees. Last April the company spent $1.5 billion to acquire Lynda.com, an early—and profitable—pioneer in providing skills-based video courses online. Lynda is a go-to destination to gain proficiency in areas such as web design, as well as courses on topics as diverse as accounting fundamentals and “The Neuroscience of Learning.”

http://www.streamingmedia.com/Articles/Editorial/Featured-Articles/The-State-of-Education-Video-2016-110211.aspx

by Clarkson University

Phylise Banner, director of online teaching and learning at Clarkson University’s Capital Region Campus in Schenectady, has been selected to serve a new two-year term as an Adobe Education Leader (AEL). Phylise Banner“It’s a big honor in the industry to be an Adobe Education Leader,” she says. “While the designation isn’t new to me, it is special each time it’s renewed. Adobe Education Leaders get together for workshops and summits, and share ideas on how to best meet the needs of faculty and students. This is a great network for sharing with other educators.” Through the Education Leaders Program, a network of outstanding educators inspires each other, shares ideas, and collaborates. The program provides the leadership and professional development to help administrators and faculty think in new and creative ways.

http://www.clarkson.edu/news/2016/news-release_2016-04-04-1.html

by Madhu Krishnamurthy, Daily Herald

McHenry County College is seeing an explosion in enrollment growth for dual-credit courses — a 61 percent increase in two years, from 916 in 2014 to 1,475 in 2016. The increase largely is due to a computer literacy course launched this year in which 600 high school students are enrolled and being taught by their own teachers. Eighty percent of those students are freshmen and sophomores, officials said. The computer literacy course is free and offered as part of the College in the High School option. Though typically only juniors and seniors are allowed to take dual-credit courses, MCC got a waiver from the Illinois Community College Board to offer its computer literacy course to freshmen and sophomores, as well.

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20160404/news/160409645/

by Sarah Smith, eLearning Industry

There are many ways of integrating technology in the classroom; ways that do not directly involve the use of computers. Some of the traditional classroom tools have found equivalent technology tools. Schools or teachers that have adopted or replaced traditional classroom tools with equivalent technology tools are seen to be teaching with edTech tools.  See a summary of 24 key edtech tools linked below.

http://elearningindustry.com/integrating-technology-in-the-classroom-24-edtech-tools-5-benefits-educational-technology-integration

by Beth Holland, Edutopia

Curation implies more than just collecting resources into a folder or notebook. It assumes a level of thoughtfulness as the curator considers the value that each artifact possesses within the context of the overall experience. Last year, Sabba Quidwai, Director of Innovative Learning at Keck USC Medical, tackled the issue of curation with her physician assistant students. She worked with them to develop a system using Evernote. Whether her students annotated presentation slides in Notability, wrote in a paper journal, or posted to an online discussion, they ultimately curated all of their content into Evernote notebooks as links, PDFs, photos, or text so that every artifact had a home.

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/take-note-curate-learning-digitally-beth-holland

by Maurice Elias, Edutopia

Under-resourced schools face many challenges that are difficult. However, I believe that they can be conquered with sufficient time, dedication, and resources. Above all, success with these challenges stems from a belief in the potential of students and staff to achieve victory despite the odds. The barriers that have to be overcome are deeply unfair, and political efforts must be made to reduce educational and socioeconomic inequities. But our students cannot wait for that to occur. They need help now, and schools need to embark on the path to turnaround sooner rather than later. However, there are no shortcuts, and efforts to rush the process can lead to disappointment.

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/7-steps-turning-around-under-resourced-schools-maurice-elias

By Dian Schaffhauser, THE Journal

The tangle of data privacy regulation for education is heating up as state and federal lawmakers increasingly consider laws intended to protect students. Last year 187 bills in 48 states were introduced that touch on some aspect of student data privacy, up from 110 in the previous year; 34 states have passed new laws on student data privacy; and the United States Congress has seven bills under consideration related to the topic. Simultaneously, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) calls for states to use “evidence-based interventions” in order to improve school performance. That evidence is generated through education research, which in turn requires access to student data. What’s a state to do? A new example-rich report from the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) offers guidance to state policymakers worth considering before they take action.

https://thejournal.com/articles/2016/04/04/data-privacy-legislation-scrutinized-in-nasbe-report.aspx

By Tara García Mathewson, Education Dive

The Institute for Advanced Computer Studies at the University of Maryland College Park is at the forefront of visual communication and learning, and virtual reality is expected to become an important element for students and faculty. EdTech reports the latest generation of virtual reality technology, including the recently released Oculus Rift headset, could achieve mainstream adoption in five to 10 years, giving students a way to experience their lessons firsthand, without leaving the classroom. The University of Maryland is launching a major in immersive multimedia design, training the students who will go on to create virtual reality content to meet the demand in the classrooms of the future.

http://www.educationdive.com/news/is-virtual-reality-poised-to-transform-higher-ed/416741/

By Tara García Mathewson, Education Dive

Since the Florida legislature banned college from requiring high school graduates to take placement tests before enrolling in college-level courses, schools have had to get creative in figuring out how to serve students who may need more help than they know. Inside Higher Ed reports St. Petersburg College created a new assessment process to inform placement recommendations, and Indian River State College has seen great success with a modular approach that provides additional support for students while they take credit-bearing courses, like corequisite remediation. Indian River is also participating in the American Association of Community Colleges’ Pathway Project, offering students more structure as they progress through their degree programs.

http://www.educationdive.com/news/florida-institutions-have-to-get-creative-with-developmental-ed/416743/

Michael DePasquale, Portage Schools

We all know that technology can be used for a variety of reasons. Technology use in our schools is increasing at a rate similar to the use seen in many other professions. Thus it would make sense that an E-Learning Day at Portage Township Schools would take place and a new age of using technology for student learning has begun. Last month, Portage Township Schools had their first E-Learning Day. On that day the students were able to attend school from home. It certainly was a full day of school as students either logged into Schoology (a learning management system) or visited the district website and worked through problems and projects online.

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/columnists/portage-twp-schools/portage-schools-launch-e-learning-day/article_d168a627-f2da-5dd1-9b05-28905b4e109a.html

by George Otte, Matthew Goldstein… Ray Schroeder, Vickie Cook, et al.

President of APLU, Peter McPherson, writes: “This book about change and reform is written by people who have spent their lives in higher education. Their concerns and proposals come from their deep commitment to our purposes and should be taken seriously by other serious people.” With chapters by the editors and Schroeder/Cook; Cathy Davidson; Candace Thille; James Hilton; Jonathan Cole; and Michael Zavelle, this book looks closely at the forces at play in higher education and the points to paths of positive change.  William Kirwan, Chancellor Emeritus of the University System of Maryland writes “In eight insightful essays and with uncommon wisdom, this anthology addresses major issues confounding American higher education leaders today. From university governance in a time of dramatic change to the challenges and uncertainties of technology-based “disruptions,” the authors provide a thoughtful and hopeful roadmap to the future. It is a ‘must read’ for all who care about the well being of our nation’s colleges and universities.”  [disclosure note: as indicated, I am a co-author].

http://www.amazon.com/Change-We-Must-Deciding-Education/dp/0795348045/

by Crystal Dominguez, Temple Daily Telegram

Temple High School seniors Alexis Kruse and Tyler Sebek received Google Chromebooks from the school this year and will be taking them with them after graduation — the first class to do so. “They have been extremely helpful,” Kruse said. “Because as a senior I have had to write a lot of essays and so now I can do that in class. You are also more connected to all the teachers and it is easier to have access to the assignments that are given to you.” Sebek said he did not have a laptop when he started high school and is glad the school has given him one. “It was all books and papers and carting them around everywhere,” Sebek said. “Having the Chromebook is so much lighter to just carry your computer around and maybe a few sheets of paper. Back then you had to carry like two textbooks and all your journals.” Sebek said he is more organized with his school work because of the Chromebook and uses it to apply for scholarships during his downtime.

http://www.tdtnews.com/news/article_4b24fbd0-f933-11e5-9d63-b73ad167ae77.html

BY REBECCA RAJAENDRAM, the Star

It’s study time and the 12-year-old has made himself comfortable in front of the laptop. No, he’s not looking over notes or doing an online assignment. Instead, his fingers move deftly over the keyboard as he maneuvers a silvery-white floating man around a junkyard. Nothing can break his concentration as he goes about collecting items in the game. His parents don’t seem to mind that he isn’t poring over a workbook when he clearly should be studying. That’s because he is playing a game called ChemCaper, that tackles chemistry “indirectly”. One of the game’s creators and Sri Emas International School founder Anne Tham says that gamification is “definitely the way to teach in the future”. She created ChemCaper with a team of teachers, 2D and 3D artists, and programmers.

by ABC Australia

Education Minister James Merlino said literacy abilities like reading, writing, speaking and listening would all be assessed. Mr Merlino said it was important to stop children falling through the cracks. “It’s absolutely critical that we identify, engage and support students with additional needs at the very earliest important opportunity,” he said. “That’s when you can make the biggest difference and this impacts on not only on the student’s schooling, but on their whole life.” He said the upgrade would be made to the current online English screening program available to teachers and parents.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-03/online-english-screening-tool-to-test-victorian-preps/7295106

By Miranda Wilcox, Herald Democrat

With great connection comes great responsibility. With the recent launch of ConnectHome free Internet to a majority of homes within the Choctaw Nation, participants will be required to take digital literacy classes this summer to ensure they use the Internet appropriately. As part of President Barack Obama’s Internet initiative, which he announced last summer when he visited Durant, this project is designed to bring free or discounted Internet to 27 U.S. cities and the Choctaw Nation, the only tribal nation that’s participating. ConnectHome Coordinator for the Choctaw Nation Fred Logan has actively been getting HUD residences connected to the worldwide web one by one. In this process, he’s seen firsthand the digital divide that exists with the Choctaws, and how many don’t even know how to use the Internet that’s being given to them.

http://heralddemocrat.com/news/local/digital-literacy-classes-provide-necessary-education-free-internet-choctaw-nation