Educational Technology

October 31, 2016

BRINGING ‘CREATIVITY BACK TO THE CLASSROOM’

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By Katrina Dix, FREE LANCE–STAR

Watching over her students, Spotsylvania High School history teacher Cathy LaRocco said that relinquishing control of a lesson can be a challenge. But in the high school’s new International Baccalaureate program, it’s necessary. “You can’t teach it like a traditional class, per se,” she said. “They need to be doing more inquiry on their own, more discovery, more coming to their own conclusions of things. Student ownership of learning is at the heart of IB, LaRocco said.

http://www.fredericksburg.com/news/local/global-learning-program-grows-in-popularity-here/article_28fd04ae-f834-5c9c-be55-44176bcd7b33.html

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Washington Foundation makes $3.5 million donation to math readiness program for Montana

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by KEILA SZPALLER, The Montana Standard

The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation is donating $3.5 million to a statewide math readiness program based at the University of Montana — on top of $2.4 million it donated in 2014 — because students are showing progress, according to the UM Foundation. The five-year grant goes to the Montana Digital Academy for its EdReady Montana program helping college-bound students avoid remedial math classes. “The first three studies tracking more than a thousand students who completed the EdReady program clearly show faster and higher math achievement gains than any other tutoring tool,” said Roberta Evans, dean of the Phyllis J. Washington College of Education and Human Sciences, in a statement.

http://mtstandard.com/news/state-and-regional/washington-foundation-makes-million-donation-to-math-readiness-program-for/article_50782ac5-549a-558c-a117-40fb1cc9a69e.html

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Are online classes the future for K-12?

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

by Emma Kate Fittes, Star-Press

Scattered across the desks in one of Yorktown Middle School’s social studies classes are colored pencils, blank paper maps and iPads with sturdy lime green cases. Students have a map pulled up on the devices and are using it to create their own color-coded version on paper. It could have been a lesson from 10 years ago, or 20, but instead of squinting at a slide projector or flipping through a textbook the students each pulled up a map individually. In another room students read through worksheets on the iPads, some writing in short answers with a stylus or index finger instead of typing. A couple have headphones in, but most are working together to find the right answer. One by one they are called up to meet with the teacher.

http://www.thestarpress.com/story/news/education/2016/10/22/online-classes-future-k-12/92061192/

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October 30, 2016

Competency-Based Professional Learning Gets Test Drive

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

By Dian Schaffhauser, THE Journal

Two years after Teaching Matters shifted its focus to competency-based professional learning, this non-profit that works on initiatives to increase teacher effectiveness, especially in urban public schools, has issued a 17-page report that profiles use cases from its work in three teacher leadership training programs and four lessons it has learned from those experiences. The first lesson is that educators value micro-credentials. Second, teachers need “sufficient time” to complete the micro-credentialing process. Third, they’re more willing to invest in that process if they’re induced to do so, either in the form of pay or new leadership responsibilities. And fourth, coaching, feedback and support are important to help educators show competency and encourage their persistence in pursuing micro-credentials.

https://thejournal.com/articles/2016/10/19/competency-based-professional-learning-gets-test-drive.aspx

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Teachers training: Workshop held on ‘Hybrid Course Design and Development’

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by Express Tribune

There is a dire need to adopt modern and innovative teaching techniques in order to motivate students and polish their professional skills, said University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice-Chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan. The workshop was organised by the UAF in collaboration with the US-Pakistan Centre of Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security University of Agriculture Faisalabad (USPCAS). “In the modern world it is imperative to adopt the technology for teaching in order to maintain the interest of students,” said Dr Iqrar, adding UAF has started several online courses and we also put lectures on the internet to help students. He said best practices in information design, presentation concepts and video production methods were imparted. Two professors from the University of California, James R Carey and Thomas L Rost, imparted the training to 50 teachers through lecture materials, demonstrations and exercises.

http://tribune.com.pk/story/1205990/teachers-training-workshop-held-hybrid-course-design-development/

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Student outings enhance learning

Filed under: Educational Technology — admin @ 12:29 am

BY SANDI KRASKOWSKI THE CHRONICLE-JOURNAL

Students at Westmount Public School are reaching higher in their education through a new learning academy program. The school is one of three pilot project learning academies that provides grades 7 and 8 students opportunities to learn in an experiential environment while meeting the requirements of the Ontario curriculum. Three academies, sports and recreation, fine arts, and global citizenship have been established at Westmount school, where students are required to choose two to study. Teacher Casey Charles spent the day with his class at the Boulder Bear Climbing Centre on Thursday teaching his students about climbing.

http://www.chroniclejournal.com/news/student-outings-enhance-learning/article_5fbba0b2-97a3-11e6-8cbe-27ee320e2983.html

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October 29, 2016

3D Scanners and Printers, Virtual Reality Gear Top Faculty Wish Lists

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By Dian Schaffhauser, Rhea Kelly; Campus Technology

According to Campus Technology’s 2016 Teaching with Technology survey, the top hardware on instructors’ wish lists: user-engaging 3D and virtual reality gear, big displays and tech-enabled student furnishings. The survey polled faculty members across the country about their use of technology for teaching and learning, their wish lists and gripes, their view of what the future holds and more. On the software front, animation software leads the faculty wish list, referenced by 17 percent of respondents; followed by adaptive learning (13 percent); games and e-portfolios (each with 12 percent); 3D modeling (11 percent); and collaboration/whiteboard software (10 percent). Everything else received single-digit mention.

https://campustechnology.com/articles/2016/10/19/3d-scanners-and-printers-virtual-reality-gear-top-faculty-wish-lists.aspx

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3D Printer Shipments to Double This Year

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By Joshua Bolkan, Campus Technology

Global sales of 3D printers will more than double from last year to this one, growing 108 percent from 219,168 shipments to 455,772, according to a new report from Gartner. 3D printing is experiencing widespread acceptance beyond specialist industries and is being used for prototyping, to augment manufacturing and to produce finished products. “Industries in a broad range employ 3D printing to a modest extent,” according to Gartner, and the company predicts wider and more diverse use as new providers and processes emerge. The 3D printing market comprises seven technologies, with material extrusion predicted to lead the market through the end of the forecast period in 2020. Stereolithography printers will also grow at a fast pace according to Gartner. Education will account a significant portion of that growth, at least for lower-cost units.

https://campustechnology.com/articles/2016/10/19/3d-printer-shipments-to-double-in-2016.aspx

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Texas A&M Prof Develops AI for Adaptive Online Learning

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

By Leila Meyer, Campus Technology

A professor at Texas A&M University is developing artificial intelligence (AI) technology for creating adaptive online courses. Noboru Matsuda, an associate professor of cyber STEM education in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture at Texas A&M is currently the principal investigator on three related research projects funded by National Science Foundation grants. In September 2016, Matsuda received his latest grant for a project that aims to develop a browser-based development environment to let teachers author their own adaptive online courses without specialized training. The technology will also enable researchers to gather data about how students learn from adaptive online courses.

https://campustechnology.com/articles/2016/10/11/texas-am-prof-develops-ai-for-adaptive-online-learning.aspx

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October 28, 2016

A new report reveals how school PLCs have a major impact when used correctly

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

by eSchool News

When professional learning communities (PLCs) meet frequently to examine and analyze student work and data, higher levels of teacher morale emerge, according to a new report from the Learning Sciences International (LSI) research team. The report, Did You Know? Your School’s PLCs Have a Major Impact, expands on existing research about the role that human and social capital, collaboration, and knowledge sharing all play in education. Researchers looked at teacher morale and student achievement as they relate to PLCs.

http://www.eschoolnews.com/2016/10/21/are-you-using-your-schools-plc-to-its-fullest/

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3 ways to set students up for success in an online course

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

BY JARROD MORGAN, eCampus News

Getting creative can help enhance the learning experience for students in an online course. Online learning gives students more options and flexibility and a growing number of them are taking advantage of online courses in order to pursue their degree in a way that works for them. According to the 2015 Survey of Online Learning, there was an 3.9 percent increase in the number of higher education students taking at least one online course. Additionally, there are no signs that this upward trend is going to change any time soon. For colleges and universities, as well as for instructors, this means supporting students who aren’t attending a brick and mortar classroom on a regular basis, if at all. Having served as director of technology at an online university, I’ve seen firsthand how institutions have risen to this challenge by getting creative in order to enhance the online learning experience.

http://www.ecampusnews.com/online-learning/online-course-success/

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Library, online resources aid business

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

By Jeff Fox, the Examiner

A wealth of free and insightful information is available to local businesses to help them target customers, understand the demographics of their markets and look for opportunities. “You’re not alone,” Kim Nakahodo, assistant to the Blue Springs city manager and the city’s public information officer, told business owners and others at Thursday’s Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon. She was joined in the presentation by Jacqueline Reed, manager of the Mid-Continent Public Library Blue Springs South branch. Nakahodo outlined a world in rapid change: 3 billion of Earth’s 7 billion people are online now, and 75 billion devices will be connected to the Internet by 2020. Also, the county is at a demographic point that presents specific challenges to businesses trying to connect with customers. “For the first time ever, we have four generations working side by side,” she said.

http://www.examiner.net/news/20161021/library-online-resources-aid-business

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October 27, 2016

Creating and Managing Successful Online Faculty Learning Communities, An Interview with Jennifer Goode

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By: Jim and Beth Harger, Faculty Focus

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Goode to discuss the opportunities provided by Faculty Learning Communities (FLC’s), an established method of small-group faculty development. She addresses the challenges in managing them, including participation, commitment, follow-through, and the ability focus on goals—all of which are magnified if the faculty members are geographically separated. She also shares with us many of the positive outcomes and benefits from FLC’s and how they can be implemented at any institution. One of the interesting things about this is the competitive application process to take part in the FLC’s. A Faculty Learning Community (FLC) is a cross-disciplinary faculty group of five or more members (8 to 12 is the recommended size).

http://www.facultyfocus.com/podcasts/professional-adjunct/pa022-creating-managing-successful-online-faculty-learning-communities-interview-dr-jennifer-goode/

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District 203 opens door to possibility of course overload

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

by Suzanne Baker, Naperville Sun

Naperville School District 203 could be warming to the idea of high school students taking more than seven courses in a semester as long as one of those classes is offered through the local online consortium. Giving students at Naperville Central and North the chance to overload their semester schedule is one of the options being weighed by District 203 officials to encourage more students to participate in the Expanding Learning Opportunities consortium, also known as eLo. Prior to the 2014-15 academic year, the district partnered with Indian Prairie School District 204 and Wheaton Warrenville School District 200 to create a consortium to give high school students access to online courses taught by teachers in the three districts. The classes would provide the same rigor and accountability students would receive if they took the course in a bricks-and-mortar classroom.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/ct-nvs-203-online-numbers-down-st-1021-20161020-story.html

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San Diego Unified School District designs today’s classroom for tomorrow’s workplace

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

by Cindy Marten, Google Blog

The San Diego Unified School District has more than 132,000 students across 226 schools. They’re about to embark on what will soon be one of the largest 1:1 Chromebook programs for a school district. Leading the charge is Cindy Marten, superintendent of San Diego Unified School District. We’re proud to work with San Diego Unified School District on this journey and excited about what’s to come. At San Diego Unified School District it’s our mission to prepare our students, who represent more than 180 countries and 60 spoken languages, for the competitive global economy, and we believe that integrating technology into the classroom is a core part of these efforts. To ensure students graduate with the skills, motivation and curiosity to thrive in the workplace of the future we’ve launched a over 47,000 Chromebooks and G Suite for Education, including Google Classroom, district-wide to give all students access to collaborative technology both in the classroom and at home.

https://blog.google/topics/education/san-diego-unified-school-district-designs-todays-classroom-tomorrows-workplace/

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October 26, 2016

Colleges turn to technology for counseling outreach

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

by Jarrett Carter, Education Dive

Inside Higher Ed profiles the growth of technology in campus mental health and counseling sectors allowing student contact through online chat and mobile app platforms, which in the last two years, has grown by more than 9%. As demand increases and more students grow comfortable with seeking mental health support, observers say technology is an ideal way to begin the process of outreach and determining appropriate treatment or guidance for students. Colorado State University has implemented a search engine platform which allows students to look up information about mental, physical health issues and to connect with campus resources for their specific needs.

http://www.educationdive.com/news/colleges-turn-to-technology-for-counseling-outreach/428702/

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Survey: Adult learners fear new wave of workplace tech

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

by Jarrett Carter, Education Dive

Pearson has released a survey showing the growing fear among adult learners who plan on or are currently enrolled in degree or credentialing programs about new trends in technology and labor. 72% of survey respondents say education will help them to keep pace with changes in their industry, with more than 65% of workers say technology will make their jobs dramatically different within 5 years. There is diminishing concern about outsourcing and being replaced by younger employees, but the new industrial changes are leading more than 60% of employees to enroll in online courses, while just 27% take classes in traditional settings.

http://www.educationdive.com/news/survey-adult-learners-fear-new-wave-of-workplace-tech/428717/

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The CIO Minute: Advice for Aspiring Female Leaders

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by Tracy Schroeder, EDUCAUSE Review

http://er.educause.edu/multimedia/2016/10/the-cio-minute-advice-for-aspiring-female-leaders

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October 25, 2016

POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS MUST DO MORE TO INTEGRATE E-LEARNING INTO PROGRAMS

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by Betakit

A new study by The Conference Board of Canada’s Centre for Skills and Post-Secondary Education (SPSE) has found that while Canada’s tech industry is growing and post-secondary students are becoming more interested in the tech sector, post-secondary education (PSE) institutions aren’t providing support for e-learning, a learning approach that can prepare students for the next generation of jobs. The study Learning in the Digital Age explores the potential of e-learning and Canada and made recommendations to improve its adoption. One of its key findings was that there is considerable variation among Canadian institutions in the emphasis they place on e-learning.

http://betakit.com/report-post-secondary-institutions-must-do-more-to-integrate-e-learning-into-programs/

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How to Overcome Obstacles in Online Courses

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By Danielle Wirsansky, ULoop

Love them or hate them, there comes a time when most of us have to take an online course. For some, they are life saving classes that are easy, convenient and time efficient. However for many students, taking online classes is a struggle and presents problems that many are not sure how to deal with. Read on to learn how to overcome obstacles in your online classes!

http://www.uloop.com/news/view.php/217200/How-to-Overcome-Obstacles-in-Online-Courses

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Why online learning is on the rise for your child

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

By Utah Online School

This story is sponsored by Utah Online School—a free public school open to all students in grades K-12 living anywhere in the state of Utah. In addition to connecting people through social media platforms, the internet strives to do even more: teach. True, people find plenty of entertainment, online shopping and social networking opportunities online, but what about learning opportunities? At times, it can be difficult for parents to teach their children without passing on their preexisting learning anxieties. When it comes to the way people learn, the tools of teaching are changing.

https://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=41847597&nid=1268&title=why-online-learning-is-on-the-rise-for-your-child

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