Educational Technology

by Matthew Lynch, Tech Edvocate

Over the last 20 years, the edtech market has grown to become a billion dollar industry. Edtech companies pay top dollar for talented individuals that can help them take their firms to the next level. This has made edtech one of the most competitive job markets in the education arena. Though the competition is fierce, landing a job in edtech is not as hard as you think. Are you looking for a job in edtech? Here are six tips that will help you land your dream job.

6 Expert Tips for Finding Edtech Jobs

by  Elizabeth Woyke, MIT Technology Review

Companies need an objective metric to evaluate proficiency.  A new AI-powered tool developed by Coursera aims to be that metric. The feature, which the Bay Area startup announced today, lets companies that subscribe to its training programs see which of their employees are earning top scores in Coursera classes; how their employees’ skills measure up to their competitors’; and what courses would help fill any knowledge gaps. Companies will be able to access the tool, which uses machine learning to derive insights, in the online dashboard of their Coursera profiles later this year.

https://www.technologyreview.com/s/611790/coursera-ai-skills/

by Matthew Lynch, Tech Edvocate

Silence is no longer golden. Libraries have become the hub of activity in schools and communities. Edtech encourages making collaborative activities like making videos, creating digital music, and designing with 3-D printers. Today’s libraries are vibrant places for synthesis and evaluation, not just knowledge and recall. They have become social centers.  Digital literacy is as essential as reading literacy. Students can’t access edtech if they don’t know how to use it. Digital literacy includes using reading and writing skills, but it also requires technology skills that allow users to retrieve and interpret digital information responsibly. Digitized curated content. You can still check out a book from your library, but you can also access many virtual books and digital materials. Libraries also give their users the means by which to mine data, build reports and analyze data trends.

10 Ways That Edtech Has Transformed Libraries

by FRANCIE DIEP, Pacific Standard
For the second year in a row, the White House’s annual memo to science agencies about what research to focus on makes no mention of climate change. In every previous version of these memos that Pacific Standard has found—dating back to this document, which the George W. Bush administration published in 2003—the White House declared climate science a top priority. “This document really conveys the administration’s opposition to climate change research,” says Romany Webb, a fellow at the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia University. The Sabin Center included the memo on its list of government actions that restrict science research and dissemination. “The administration has, in many ways, gone beyond what previous administrations have done to actually attack climate science,” Webb says.

https://psmag.com/environment/the-trump-administrations-science-budget-memo-leaves-out-climate-science

By David Raths, Campus Technology

It is a difficult fact of life for university libraries that circulation statistics for print materials have been steadily declining, despite the fact that there are a lot of print materials that students would find useful. Determined to see if a novel approach to locating materials could have an impact on this trend, St. John’s University Libraries (NY) created its own wayfinding app that takes advantage of beacons to cut down on the amount of time students spend wandering the stacks looking for books. The BKFNDr project was built from the ground up with no off-the-shelf or proprietary software and is completely tailored to the St. John’s environment. It features full catalog integration, so that students can move directly from searching the library catalog to finding the items on the shelf.

https://campustechnology.com/articles/2018/08/07/a-mobile-guide-to-library-resources.aspx

By Institute Communications at Georgia Tech
The Georgia Institute of Technology has announced a new online cybersecurity master’s degree that will be offered for less than $10,000 and delivered in collaboration with edX. The Online Master of Science in Cybersecurity (OMS Cybersecurity) is designed to address a severe global workforce shortage in the field. According to the 2017 Global Information Security Workforce Study, the shortage is expected to reach 1.8 million people by 2022.

https://www.news.gatech.edu/2018/08/08/georgia-tech-creates-cybersecurity-masters-degree-online-less-10000

By Rhea Kelly, Campus Technology

IBM is introducing two new Professional Certificate programs on the edX platform, focused on emerging tech in artificial intelligence: deep learning and chatbots. Each program offers a series of self-paced courses designed to build “critical, in-demand skills” for specific careers in the field, according to a news assignment. The Deep Learning program comprises five courses:

Deep Learning Fundamentals with Keras;
Deep Learning with Python and PyTorch;
Deep Learning with Tensorflow;
Using GPUs to Scale and Speed-up Deep Learning; and
Applied Deep Learning Capstone Project.

https://campustechnology.com/articles/2018/08/09/ibm-launches-edx-certificate-programs-in-deep-learning-and-chatbots.aspx

By Anubha Goel, G-Cube Blog

In today’s digital scenario, Learning & Development departments have adopted an increasing number of methods to support effective workplace learning. Training has become training & development, which is a blend of formal instruction and workforce development. Smartphones and tablets provide L&D with the flexibility to reach the globally diversified audience, with a key focus on an individual’s performances. The use of personalized mobile devices, aids the modern learners to access information when they need it, no matter where they are. Realization of the real potential of mobiles is shifting the focus of a majority of industry leaders towards a mobile-first strategy.

https://www.gc-solutions.net/blog/emerging-trend-of-using-mobiles-at-workplace-delivering-smart-and-just-enough-learning/

by Stephanie Ivec, eLearning Brothers

Many people had questions about what the career path for an instructional designer is. “What’s the next step?” they asked. “Just as there’s not really any single prescribed path for becoming an instructional designer, there is no set career advancement path,” answers Chris. Just the answer you were looking for, right? She went on to say that “some instructional designers (IDs) enter the field with a degree in adult learning theory, but a great number of successful career IDs (including myself) acquired instructional design credentials and grew “commensurate experience” on the job. Our ranks include many former technical writers, web developers, and subject matter experts across many fields.

Career Advice From an Instructional Designer

by Matthew Lynch, Tech Edvocate

In this technology-immersed world, students need to know how to navigate the digital environment safely. From discerning real news from propaganda to managing their reputation online, so much of their future is dependent on possessing digital literacy skills. Teachers have to step up to the plate and integrate digital literacy into the curriculum and model it through their actions. In this article, we will discuss 10 ways that digital age teachers model digital literacy and leadership.

10 Ways That Digital Age Teachers Model Digital Literacy and Leadership

by Joshua Silavent, Gainsville Times

With enrollment growing in work-study programs and other curriculum designed to prepare high school students for life beyond the classroom, the Georgia Department of Education has unveiled a series of gold seals to be stamped on the diplomas of graduates who are considered “career-ready.” “We think this is a very positive step for a lot of our students,” said Kevin Bales, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning for the Hall County School District. “Absolutely, our schools will be involved.”

https://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/career-ready-diploma-seals-show-students-are-ready-for-life/

by Allna Tugend, NY Times

Transfer students — whose challenges have often been ignored in higher education — are feeling a surge in popularity as colleges and universities are increasingly wooing them. “This was a group that was always taken for granted,” said Todd Rinehart, vice chancellor for enrollment at the University of Denver. But last month, the University of California system announced that it has accepted more transfer students than ever before. And in a move that is perhaps more symbolic than substantive, Princeton University has, for its 2018 class, accepted 13 transfer students, the first such students it has enrolled since 1990.

by Matthew Lynch, Tech Edvocate

Since it burst on the scene decades ago, edtech has been helping teachers provide their students with a quality educational experience. I am not saying that it is a panacea, but it is a powerful tool, that can be used to increase a student’s academic performance. In this article, we will discuss 7 ways that digital age teachers use edtech to boost student achievement.

7 Ways That Digital Age Teachers Use Edtech to Boost Student Achievement

By Dian Schaffhauser, THE Journal
The use of this technology captivates students while allowing them to learn abstract concepts in off-the-ground ways. Unstaffed flying objects, unmanned aerial vehicles, remotely piloted aircraft. These are all alternative names for drones. According to two educators who have introduced them in the classroom, no matter what you call them, these small flying vehicles can be a useful response to drooping attendance, high discipline counts and low student satisfaction. Best, whether the subject is math, science, English, history, art or PE, there are drone lessons that can help bring abstract concepts to life for students.

https://thejournal.com/articles/2018/07/25/drones-take-off-in-education.aspx

by Matthew Lynch, Tech Edvocate

If you have been studying the field of education closely, as we have, you know that it is undergoing a metamorphosis. Students no longer respond to the teacher-centered pedagogy that our forefathers did. No, today’s students are immersed in a technologically advanced world and possess attention spans that last only a few seconds. Because of this, today’s teacher needs to add a new skill set to their repertoire to be successful. In this article, we will discuss the 11 key attributes that successful digital age teachers possess.

11 Key Attributes of Successful Teachers in the Digital Age

By James Paterson, Education Dive
Two of the leading learning management system companies are cutting ties after a six-year partnership — a split that Inside Higher Education reported was likely “messy.” U.S.-based Blackboard and Australia’s Moodle separately announced the end to the partnership, which will mean that Blackboard won’t use the Moodle name in the future, but its Moodlerooms product will be maintained. Inside Higher Education reported it was a “bold move” for Moodle to strike out on its own, although Blackboard reported it had taken the action. It said it refused to renew Moodle’s contract, in part because Moodle was prioritizing separate partnerships that allowed clients to self-host rather than work with Blackboard’s Moodlerooms. Moodle CEO Martin Dougiamas said the partnership had been “awkward” and “uncomfortable” from the start.

https://www.educationdive.com/news/lms-market-after-blackboard-moodle-breakup/529147/

by Riia O’Donnell, Education Dive
The best approach to learning in the workplace may be a mix of online and instructor-led coursework, according to recent information provided by Gallup. The focus on professional development, either as an enticement to recruit, a necessity to upskill or a benefit to retain employees has never been higher. For L&D professionals, the challenge may be getting the right mix of digital and face-to-face offerings to serve employee and business needs. With over $1,000 per employee per year average spent on training, according to Gallup, business is investing heavily on upskilling their staff. With the rapid growth of online learning platforms, the question of which method is the most effective captures the mind for most L&D professionals. According to Gallup, a mixture of both can net the best results. Instructor-led learning can offer more opportunities to answer questions, make connections and encourage further growth. Digital learning allows for on-demand information, scale delivery and natural opportunities to apply and reinforce data.

https://www.hrdive.com/news/top-learning-programs-combine-instructor-led-training-and-digital-courses/528851/

by Tribune Media

The technology will be implemented for the 2018-19 school year, according to the school district. A firm calendar has been created with no inclement weather makeup days included. “At the end of the day, it makes common sense and financial sense to implement this program,” Superintendent Tom Wilson said in a news release. “No longer will we need to run buses mid-June for a makeup day that only a quarter of our students attend.” Before the first day of school on Aug. 20, students in kindergarten through 12th grade must begin a registration process for an online portal.

No more snow days: School district replaces wintry days off with online classes

BY STACEY PUSEY, eSchool News

The program, which is taught by Seton Hall law students, targets students in fifth and sixth grade, typically the age when they get their first cell phone. It’s a time when parents feel like they are losing control of their kids, yet the kids still have the capability to learn good technology habits. Since students are getting phones at younger and younger ages, they don’t have the cognitive ability to understand the ramifications of their actions and need parental guidance. Thus, the program has both a student curriculum and parent talk. Parents need to learn what privacy really means in the digital world and how their tech usage affects their children. The program focuses on collaboration and helping students and parents discuss good technology habits together.

This cool new program helps kids develop better tech habits

By Andy Fell, UC Davis

“Introduction to Research,” BIM 088V, is an exclusively online class taught by Louie, professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at UC Davis, for the University of California’s Cross Campus Enrollment program. The class was first offered in spring quarter 2018 and enrolled about 125 students, one-fifth of them from outside UC Davis. The course is intended to introduce undergraduates, especially “first generation” students with no family experience in higher education to draw on, to the ways they could conduct research with a faculty mentor. They explore their interests, practice composing letters to professors applying for a position on a research project, and learn about ethics, integrity and social impact. The accompanying game, “Re: Search, A Campus Story” is intended to engage students and draw them in while reinforcing key points from each week’s work, Louie said. There are nine game levels, with a new level unlocking after each week’s class.

https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/student-built-online-game-accompanies-online-class

Daniel Pianko, Carol D’Amico, Tech Crunch

In the years to come, who will hospitality hiring managers trust to credential students: Cornell University or the Four Seasons? Will it be Google or Penn State that sets the standards that determine who qualifies as a good computer programmer? Could GE define competency in aeronautic engineering rather than Vaughn College? Should employers place more value in a fashion credential backed by the editors of Vogue or the Pratt Institute? The formula is simple: Well-structured, branded programs will be superior to an unbranded degree. They will give elite institutions a run for their money. It’s only a matter of time before the U.S. News & World Report rankings are riddled with global brands.

Will big brands disrupt higher education?