Educational Technology

November 30, 2016

Student Success Pervades Top IT Issues for 2017

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

By Dian Schaffhauser, Campus Technology

Yes, it’s true that for the second year running cybersecurity has come in first on Educause’s list of the Top 10 IT issues for higher education. But this year it doesn’t dominate the results as it did last year, according to Susan Grajek, the organization’s vice president of data, research and analytics. Information security “is a huge risk area,” she said, but, according to Educause member votes, “not by quite as much.” Instead, Grajek sees growing concern for the broader area of student success, an issue that landed in third place in 2016, fourth place in 2015 and first place in 2014. While the explicit topic of student success showed up second on the 2017 list, Grajek pointed out that many if not most of the other issues link back to that theme — including data-informed decision making (No. 3 in the ranking), effective leadership (No. 4), the digital transformation of learning (No. 10) and even sustainable funding (No. 8).

https://campustechnology.com/articles/2016/11/10/student-success-pervades-top-it-issues-for-2017.aspx

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How to Select the Right E-Portfolio Platform

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

By Leila Meyer, Campus Technology

Electronic portfolio experts from colleges and universities across the country offer their key considerations for choosing a campuswide e-portfolio system. “Students are documenting a lot of their work, and they know what they’re proud of, and faculty members are being encouraged to look more at having outcomes that can be measured outside of the classroom,” said John Ittelson, professor emeritus at California State University, Monterey Bay and co-author of Documenting Learning with ePortfolios: A Guide for College Instructors. As e-portfolios become a more formal part of assessment, many institutions are looking to standardize on one platform campuswide. We asked the experts at colleges and universities across the country to identify their key considerations for e-portfolio technology selection.

https://campustechnology.com/articles/2016/11/16/how-to-select-the-right-e-portfolio-platform.aspx

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Gartner’s Top 10 Strategic Predictions For 2017 And Beyond

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

By Daryl Plummer, Forbes

Disruption has moved from an infrequent inconvenience to a consistent stream of change that is redefining markets and entire industries. In 2016, we saw the astonishing rise of Pokémon Go, which demonstrated accelerated digital change into areas such as augmented reality (AR). Gartner’s top strategic predictions for 2017 and beyond describe not only the disruptive effects of digital business innovation but how secondary ripple effects will often prove to be more disruptive than the original disruption. Three high level trends emerge from the predictions:

Digital experience and engagement will draw people into nonstop virtual interactions

Business innovation will create extraordinary change from mundane concepts

Secondary effects will be more disruptive than the initial digital change

http://www.forbes.com/sites/gartnergroup/2016/11/15/gartners-top-10-strategic-predictions-for-2017-and-beyond/#368210ad30d0

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November 29, 2016

Down with OTT? 3 ways this technology is a new must for education

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

BY MERIS STANSBURY, eSchool News

OTT stands for Over-The-Top technologies, or any technology that aids in the delivery of audio, video and media content via the internet, without requiring users to subscribe to ,or pay for, a traditional cable or satellite pay-TV service like a Comcast or Time Warner Cable. In other words, every device that is internet connection-capable can now be a television equivalent, (i.e. a human-centered and screen-deep learning environment). The internet simply provides manageable access and distribution. Internet-capable devices often harness OTT through apps by third-party interfaces to deliver content. Just a few examples of OTT interfaces are Facebook, YouTube, Hulu, Skype, WhatsApp, and Amazon Video. “Over-The-Top technologies are transforming the nature of how we receive content,” writes Dr. Bernard Luskin, CEO of www.LuskinInternational.com and former CEO of eight colleges and universities.

http://www.eschoolnews.com/2016/11/16/ott-technology-education/

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World’s largest K-12 reading survey identifies trends, highlights best practices

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

by eSchool News

“Education is undergoing a transformation across the country, and becoming increasingly student-centered. With this report, Renaissance reaffirms its dedication to finding the best ways to not just educate each student, but to inspire them to become life-long readers and learners,” said Jack Lynch, chief executive officer at Renaissance. “The report identifies students’ interests and reading habits, helping to inform instruction with the ultimate goal of helping teachers propel students toward college and career readiness.” To download the full report, please visit https://goo.gl/7YyE3k.

http://www.eschoolnews.com/2016/11/18/worlds-largest-k-12-reading-survey-identifies-trends-highlights-best-practices/

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‘Project Outcome’ continues to expand

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

by ALAN HALL, Herald Star

“Project Outcome” was started in 2013 by the Public Library Association to consider better ways to measure all of the services offered by public libraries today. Digital learning is taking place in libraries across the nation, from use of tablets and smart phones to standard computer training classes. The most effective training in libraries appears to be the one on one that takes place with a library staff member. The general public often isn’t aware of the computer applications that are available in today’s public library. Job skills are provided in programming formats, as well as online resources to help with resume preparation and online job searching.

http://www.heraldstaronline.com/opinion/local-columns/2016/11/project-outcome-continues-to-expand/

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November 28, 2016

Nation of Makers Receives Support from 300 Organizations

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

By Sri Ravipati, THE Journal

A newly launched coalition dedicated to the grassroots maker education movement in the United States aims to support the full range of organizations that impact makers, helping them to maximize their local and global impact. Nation of Makers wants to serve and represent “the full variety of spaces, events and institutions serving makers, including nonprofit organizations, museums, libraries, science centers, educational institutions, foundations and for-profit companies,” according the website. It plans to accomplish this by encouraging connections, sharing best practices, facilitating funding opportunities, participating in policy development and more.

https://thejournal.com/articles/2016/11/16/maker-movement-nonprofit-backed-by-300-organizations.aspx

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Technology Use Among Teachers Strong and Growing

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

By David Nagel, THE Journal

The vast majority of teachers are using technology daily with their students, and most say their use of technology will increase even more next year, according to a new study involving 2,500 K–12 teachers. The study, conducted by adaptive learning provider Front Row Education, found that 75 percent of teachers use technology with students on a daily basis and that a bit more than half have a 1-to-1 ratio of devices to students in their classrooms (up 10 points from last year’s survey). That increase in student devices is helping to drive an increase in the use of technology, with about 60 percent of teachers surveyed saying they expect to increase the use of technology in the 2016–2017 school year.

https://thejournal.com/articles/2016/11/17/technology-use-among-teachers-strong-and-growing.aspx

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Free Hour of Code at All Apple Stores Dec. 5 Through 11

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

By Richard Chang, THE Journal

Apple is offering free Hour of Code workshops at all of its 487 retail stores worldwide from Dec. 5-11, in celebration of Computer Science Education Week. Registration opened today. The Hour of Code workshops teach the basics of computer science with Code.org’s programming tutorials. Apple and Code.org share the goal of giving every student the opportunity to learn computer science, according to a news release. “Hour of Code embodies our vision for Apple stores as a place for the community to gather, learn and be entertained,” said Angela Ahrendts, Apple’s senior vice president of Retail, in a statement.

https://thejournal.com/articles/2016/11/17/free-hour-of-code-at-all-apple-stores-dec.-5-through-11.aspx

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November 27, 2016

Country Music Legend Reba McEntire Launches Online MasterClass

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

by Parade

MasterClass, the online education platform, has gone country. The site, which features video courses taught by the likes of Dustin Hoffman (acting), Serena Williams (tennis), Aaron Sorkin (screenwriting) and Annie Leibovitz (photography), has added Reba McEntire to its impressive roster of instructors. In her class, the country legend will give students virtual insight into some of her greatest hits and teach them what it takes to make great country music through storytelling, connecting with your audience, singing, performance, vocal warm up, song selection, brand building and the business side of the industry. McEntire spoke with Parade about the course, her career and which celebrity instructor she’d like to take a master class from.

http://parade.com/524902/alison-abbey/country-music-legend-reba-mcentire-to-teach-online-masterclass/

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Winner of educational award brings aspiring teachers into the virtual world

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

by Margaret Boylan, Troubadour Online

“Oftentimes, people say, ‘I don’t want to teach online, because I want to teach real students,’” said Dr. Susan Poyo, assistant professor of education at Franciscan University. “(But) any student that wants to learn, no matter what environment they’re in: whether they’re homeschooled, whether they’re Catholic school, if they’re public school or an online school they’re all real kids, and they all want to learn.” Poyo’s commitment to online learning is what led her to become the recipient of the 2016 International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) award.

http://www.troubonline.com/winner-of-educational-award-brings-aspiring-teachers-into-the-virtual-world/

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5 Ways To Think, And Act, Like A Digital Technology Leader

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

by Joe McKendrick, Forbes

Moving to a digital enterprise — bringing in game-changing technologies such as cloud services and data analytics, as well as getting everyone to think in new ways — is great stuff, but also can be hard work. There are many different trends, technologies and opinions coming at you from many different directions. It may be helpful to examine the roles that may help guide progress through the digital realm, and the ways of thinking that may need to be applied to make things happen across the organization. Leading the charge with digital technologies, of course, requires technology savvy or skills, and we’ll assume some level of comfort with technology. Here are some ways of thinking to help in the journey.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/joemckendrick/2016/11/18/5-ways-to-think-and-act-like-a-digital-technology-leader/#4df9e51f72a3

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November 26, 2016

Shakespeare course premieres online

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

By Corinne Prost, the Collegian

Through Dec. 5, the colleges is releasing a new video lecture on a weekly basis that those who register for the course may watch at their discretion. After discussing with involved faculty, external affairs settled on doing the course on Shakespeare, Director of Programs for External Affairs Matt Bell said. Although Smith filmed three lectures for each of the two plays, Arnn did the first lesson in which he discusses Shakespeare’s significance. “Shakespeare thinks and writes beautiful thoughts,” Arnn said. “In the Symposium, Socrates posits that the greatest poets would write both comedy and tragedy. Shakespeare does that and also history plays. He can show us all of nature and its hierarchy low to high.” The set of lectures are also congruent with the college’s focus on self-government through the virtues and vices in human nature, Smith said.

http://hillsdalecollegian.com/2016/11/shakespeare-course-premieres-online/

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Firefly Scores $5.6 Million to Further Online Learning Tools for Schools

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

by Edsurge

SO FLY: Education technology startup Firefly has raised $5.6 million (£4.5 million) in a Series A round led by BGF Ventures, which contributed of $3.7 million (£3 million), and Beringea, The Tech Portal reports. The London-based company says the money will be used to further develop their product—an online tool that lets teachers track, mark and share resources with students and parents—and double the size of its now 50-person staff. Firefly is currently used in 32 countries and by 480 schools—98 percent of which are reportedly renewing their contracts each year—and is estimated to reach approximately 400,000 students.

https://www.edsurge.com/news/2016-11-16-firefly-scores-5-6-million-to-further-online-learning-tools-for-schools

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Distance learning explodes at private schools

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

by Jarrett Carter, Education Dive

Inside Higher Ed reports on a new survey from the Council of Independent Colleges and the Learning House, which suggests surprising trends about the online and distance learning efforts of private schools throughout the United States. Of the more than 160 chief academic officers surveyed, more than 25% reported offering at least five fully online programs, a 10% increase from 2013. The same percentage of respondents reported revenues from the programs exceeding $1 million, and more than 60% say tuition revenue from distance learning has remained steady over the last three years. 44% of institutions are likely to increase marketing efforts for international students in the near future.

http://www.educationdive.com/news/distance-learning-explodes-at-private-schools/430399/

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November 25, 2016

Trump administration causes concern for growing international student population

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

by Jarrett Carter, Education Dive

The New York Times reports there is growing concern among international students studying in the United States as anti-immigrant and minority sentiment increases on predominantly white college and university campuses. Students who have seen coverage of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and incidents on campuses nationwide are considering other nations for college study, despite international student enrollment surpassing 1 million in 2015. Canadian institutions say they have seen a massive increase in web traffic and applications in the days following the presidential election, but caution that it’s too early to tell what impact it will actually have on enrollment or transfers.

http://www.educationdive.com/news/trump-administration-causes-concern-for-growing-international-student-popul/430754/

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Udacity launches web design pipeline for nanodegree grads

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

by Jarrett Carter, Education Dive

For-profit online learning company Udacity this week announced the formation of Udacity Blitz, a web development job trial company that pairs corporations seeking mobile design with nanodegree graduates with skills matching their assignment needs. Companies are free to hire the graduates after the completion of the project, with no costs in finders’ fees beyond the original matching price. Udacity, which began as a MOOC platform developer, has expanded into tech skills training to match the growing need for computer science graduates, expected to exceed 1 million by 2020.

http://www.educationdive.com/news/udacity-launches-web-design-pipeline-for-nanodegree-grads/430750/

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Coursera embraces Netflix subscription model for course access

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

by Autumn A. Arnett, Education Dive

Coursera is shifting away from a pay-by-the-course model towards a monthly subscription plan to encourage “binge learning,” Financial Times reports. An initial pilot of the program found a 250% increase in course completion. The company’s chief product officer, who came to Coursera from Netflix, told Financial Times, “We’re not introducing a new payment model so much as a new psychological model,” saying learners are financially motivated to complete more courses faster. The new payment model will apply to any specialization area that includes six to eight courses on one subject. Prices will range from $39-$89 per month — previously, learners paid between $19-$99 per course.

http://www.educationdive.com/news/coursera-embraces-netflix-subscription-model-for-course-access/430432/

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November 24, 2016

Private Colleges, Universities Expand Online Learning Opportunities

Filed under: Educational Technology — admin @ 12:42 am

By Sri Ravipati, Campus Technology

Online education programs and courses are on the rise at private colleges and universities compared to three years ago, according to a new report from the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) and Learning House. In 2013, CIC and Learning House conducted a similar survey of chief academic officers at private colleges and universities, finding that about 15 percent have “extensive” online offerings (defined as five or more fully online programs). The latest survey, comprising responses from 169 chief academic officers of CIC member institutions, found that 25 percent now have extensive offerings. Furthermore, the survey found that private colleges and universities are growing increasingly accepting of online instruction, with more private institutions overcoming barriers to offer online programs.

https://campustechnology.com/articles/2016/11/14/report-private-colleges-universities-expand-online-learning-opportunities.aspx

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3 Things Veterans Should Do Before Taking Online Classes

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

by Bianca Strzalkowski, Ameriforce

All online education is not created equal. Nearly one-third of college students take distance education courses, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. However, the investment into a degree is an expensive one and like with any big purchase, there are necessary steps a student should take to guarantee they get the most bang for their buck. Franc Lopez, president of the Council for College and Military Education (CCME) — an organization providing professional development for those in the military education community along with scholarships for students, says there are several reasons veterans choose the virtual route for school.

http://ameriforce.net/3-things-veterans-taking-online-classes/

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November 23, 2016

What To Do With A Millennial Employee That’s Bored At Work

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

by Kaytie Zimmerman, Forbes

According to a recent study released by Udemy, young millennials (ages 21-24) are nearly twice as likely to be bored at work (38%) than Baby Boomers (22%). Udemy’s report found that bored employees are twice as likely to leave or job hop in the next three to six months. Millennials aren’t necessarily bored because they are neglecting responsibilities. In fact, they may be so efficient or tech savvy that they complete their work faster than less apt peers and find themselves with extra time. The news isn’t all bad though. According to Intelligence Group, 64% of millennials said they would rather make $40,000 a year at a job they love than $100,000 a year at a job they think is boring. Pay millennials less and challenge them more? You bet. While it may not be the best move, the statistics speak for themselves. The sweet spot of efficiency, employee engagement and retainment is where a talented employee is frequently assessed for boredom and challenge level, but is still adequately compensated for their work.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kaytiezimmerman/2016/11/13/what-to-do-with-a-millennial-employee-that-is-bored-at-work/#7e6bbea63b5a

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