Educational Technology

by Barmak Nassirian, EDUCASUSE Review

The European Union set an effective date of May 25, 2018, for the General Data Protection Regulation, which replaces its Data Protection Directive of 1995 and significantly expands personal privacy rights for EU residents. Not only is the GDPR more enforceable compared to the DPD, it applies to entities with no physical EU presence if they control or process covered personal information of EU residents. US institutions with EU-based operations or significant numbers of EU residents as students — particularly those delivering distance education programs to such students within the EU — should be in the final stages of implementing GDPR-compliant practices now.

https://er.educause.edu/articles/2017/8/the-general-data-protection-regulation-explained

by Michigan State University
Michigan State University is leading the way in the research and use of robots in higher education online classes. To help advance online learning, MSU researchers are using robots to help distance learners feel more connected in their classes. Christine Greenhow, MSU associate professor of educational psychology and educational technology, was one of the first in higher education to put robots to work in the classroom. Her studies have found that using robots can contribute to a better, richer learning experience for both remote and in-class students and their professors.

https://msutoday.msu.edu/feature/2018/enhancing-learning-with-robots/

by Matthew Lynch, Tech Edvocate

In a flipped classroom, students watch recorded lectures or review material for homework and complete assignments, labs, and tests in class. This individualizes learning for students, allowing students to move at their own pace. It also provides teachers with the opportunity to work one-on-one with students who need more support, and students can easily catch up on missed lessons. Using this classroom model, students learn content outside of the classroom, freeing up class time to engage in hands-on, collaborative application. One variation on the flipped classroom is to provide instruction on one or two days of the week, devoting the rest of the week to student-centered, self-paced activities based on the content you’ve delivered.

http://www.thetechedvocate.org/flip-stem-classroom/

By Joshua Bolkan, THE Journal

Women and girls continue to be underrepresented in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Too many young women are discouraged early from seeking a profession in these fields. Obstacles are put up — misogynistic, socio-economic or cultural obstacles. There are other factors, too. They may not know enough about the subjects involved. Maybe no one they know works in these areas. Often, girls aren’t aware of the myriad ways that physics, engineering or technology shows up in our daily lives and makes things better.

https://thejournal.com/articles/2018/03/14/meredith-walker.aspx

By THE Journal
Can your students build empathy skills even while using technology? Yes! In fact, exercises that help students build empathy in digital spaces are a crucial part of positive social and emotional learning. Can your students build empathy skills even while using technology? Yes! In fact, exercises that help students build empathy in digital spaces are a crucial part of positive social and emotional learning. Plus, using empathy skills online is integral for helping kids become responsible digital citizens. Here are three ways teachers can give students practice using empathy online — just like they would in face-to-face situations.

https://thejournal.com/articles/2018/03/13/3-ways-to-help-students-build-empathy-using-technology.aspx

by Matthew Lynch, Tech Edvocate

In education, material that is “accessible” meets the needs of students from a wide variety of backgrounds, abilities, and learning styles. Based on this definition, it’s clear that accessibility is vital. All students, at all ability levels and from all backgrounds, should be able to understand and learn from the content delivered in a classroom. Fortunately, the influx of edtech has made learning more accessible than ever before. Here are just a few ways that edtech makes learning more accessible:

http://www.thetechedvocate.org/edtech-makes-learning-accessible/