Educational Technology

by Kelvin Bentley, EDUCAUSE Review

Regardless of whether California develops and launches its first fully online community college, this topic should inspire all of us working in community colleges to find ways to enhance our approaches to offering online courses and programs. We should begin or continue to research and appropriately adopt good practices in accessibility, course development, course scheduling, faculty hiring and support, OER selection, and the use of analytics to help us offer online learning experiences of the highest quality. Such work is crucial to ensuring that the future of online learning at community colleges truly benefits the students and faculty we strive to serve.

https://er.educause.edu/articles/2017/10/actualizing-the-online-community-college

by RICHARD FLORIDA, City Lab

We’ve long heard about America’s digital divide, but the nation is facing a parallel and deepening digitalization divide, too. According to a new Brookings Institution study, this digitalization divide is reflected in the increasingly uneven spread of high-paying digital jobs across the economy and workforce, by gender, race, and ethnicity, and across cities and metro areas. Digitalization has transformed just about everything we do—from the way we work to our entertainment choices, and how we communicate with one another. It’s not just knowledge workers, smart phones, and laptops we’re talking about. Our cars, televisions, and appliances are loaded with software. Smart thermostats like Nest and voice activated “assistants” such as Alexa permeate our homes.

https://www.citylab.com/equity/2017/11/americas-digitalization-divide/546080/

by Matthew Lynch, Tech Edvocate

Can a library be the perfect place for personalized learning? We believe the answer is yes. Libraries offer endless resources, space for learning, and individuals who are ready to assist students in the learning and research process. Sometimes when professors’ office hours do not line up with students’ schedules, we often forget, that librarians are here to help us too! That’s why we have libraries and librarians! Even if we think it is intimidating to approach a librarian, it should not be, because they are the experts in libraries! Not only are librarians available to assist us, but they are also available to teach us how to use the resources that the library has to offer.

http://www.thetechedvocate.org/personalized-learning-start-libraries/

by Matthew Lynch, Tech Edvocate

Have a child or student that hates math? You’re not alone. In fact, one of the phrases educators hear most is, “I hate math”, according to Education Consultant Kelly Trotter King.  Don’t fret.  There are many ways that parents and teachers can help a child to start to enjoy math. One way to do this is to make math fun by turning it into a game and/or using apps. Studies have shown that kids improve faster and are more engaged when using apps compared to traditional math worksheets. In no specific order, the 9 must-have apps and tools for kids who hate math are linked below:

http://www.thetechedvocate.org/9-must-apps-tools-kids-hate-math/

By Michael B. Horn, Edsurge

A series of articles in Slate has upped the ante on the mounting evidence that online credit recovery has a rigor problem, even as such programs have become nearly ubiquitous across the country. As the reporter wrote, the practice of offering online credit recovery seems to be “falsely boosting graduation rates” at the expense of rigorous learning experiences for students. What’s sad, and often unmentioned, is that we shouldn’t be surprised. People are rationally following their incentives—to boost graduation rates and make sure students have a high school diploma in hand. Because few states tie external, objective assessments for required high school courses to graduation, there is accordingly little attention paid to the underlying quality of online credit recovery courses.

https://www.edsurge.com/news/2017-11-21-can-online-credit-recovery-recover

by Matthew Lynch, tech Edvocate

With the importance of technological literacy rising in colleges and workplaces, it’s about time primary and secondary educators took notice. To prepare students for life after high school, we need to start teaching them in a more futuristic fashion. Incorporating technology along with traditional face-to-face interaction is a practice known as blended learning. There are multiple benefits to adopting this relatively new technique. First, the inclusion of various learning models can help students retain information better. As a result, there have been marked improvements in the test scores of students using blended models. You can also experience easier progress tracking, remediation, and student communication. The question is, how can you make this new approach work for your classroom?

http://www.thetechedvocate.org/making-blended-learning-work-classroom/

BY MATTHEW GLOTZBACH, eSchool News

The days of overhead projectors and chalkboards are behind us. Today’s educators are looking to Chromebooks, smartphones and maker spaces to enhance their teaching. Other tools going the way of the overhead projector? The traditional textbook and workbook combination, complete with a #2 pencil. As digital natives, today’s students have grown up with technology integrated into every aspect of their lives, and education is no exception. When it comes to middle schools and high schools, the average classroom looks more like a typical startup office than the traditional classroom of the past.

https://www.eschoolnews.com/2017/11/20/textbooks-unbundling-byod/

BY LAURA ASCIONE, eSchool News

The report, Teaching with Technology, a new report from the Foundation for Blended and Online Learning (FBOL) and the Evergreen Education Group, characterizes blended teaching as using a combination of face-to-face instruction and digital content, tools, and resources. A survey of teachers from 38 states finds that time, thoughtful planning and support at the school- and district-level, and ongoing relevant professional development are key to the success or stagnation of their blended learning efforts.

Teachers: These are the 6 must-know strategies for great blended learning

by Matthew Lynch, tech Edvocate

The processes of inquiry, reasoning and collaboration required in STEM learning are similar to any experiential activity; learning activities must be hands-on experiences. STEM classes also demand rigor and relevance in a curriculum, and the students who take these classes must learn to think critically as they use science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to solve real world problems through direct learning experiences. Reading does not provide the kind of authentic experiences that students need. Students aren’t likely to be motivated by reading content alone, and as a result, their overall academic performance will likely suffer.

STEM Education is About Hands on Experiences

By: Lindsey Harrison, Central Illinois Proud

Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti is looking to expand the virtual classroom to more rural schools around the state. Sanguinetti stopped by Heyworth High School Monday afternoon to talk to a few students about their experiences in a virtual classroom. Junior Garrett Houston is taking calculus. He says he just couldn’t make calculus fit into his schedule when the school offered it, so he’s taking it online. “I’ve always been ahead in math and now I’m getting to the point where they don’t really have a math course for me after calculus,” Houston explained. But his course options are expanded through the online classes. Houston says he’s also taken Mandarin through the virtual classroom.

http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/local-news/illinois-lt-governor-looks-to-expand-online-classrooms-in-rural-schools/861201553

by Pat Donachie, Education Dive

Colleges and universities should reframe the goals of their technology transfer offices away from a focus on revenue generation to how technology and innovation in the school can contribute to the health and prosperity of the surrounding community, region and economy, according to a new report from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities. “I think a lot of universities have realized that a transaction basis for technology transfer is not going to create an environment they need to be successful in an innovation-based economy,” Jim Woodell, an APLU Vice President for Economic Development and Community Engagement, said. “Success needs to not be measured by revenue, but by other signs of contributions universities make to technology.”

https://www.educationdive.com/news/how-can-tech-transfer-offices-evolve-to-support-innovation/511144/

by Associated Press

Black Hills State University-Rapid City will offer block courses for students who want to focus on and finish one subject at a time, the Rapid City Journal reported. University officials said the offering will be the first of its kind in South Dakota. Traditionally, college courses are held at different times based on a Monday-Wednesday-Friday or a Tuesday-Thursday schedule, and vary by semester. Under the new block system, students will meet for three hour chunks at the same time in the morning or afternoon for 18 consecutive days. Each course will be separated by breaks of four days. Students will need to enroll in four blocks to qualify as full time. Gene Bilodeau, director of BHSU-RC, said that there’s evidence learning under the 18-day approach is the same as under the traditional structure, if not more encouraging.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-5097885/South-Dakota-university-offer-18-day-intensive-courses.html

By Blair Emerson, Bismarck Tribune

Step into a classroom during sixth period at Wolford Public School and there are 11 students taking nine courses online. About six years ago, the small rural district — with an enrollment of 42 students — lacked course offerings, and Wolford Superintendent Larry Zavada said he longed for more academic rigor and accountability. The district was limited due to finances, and good teachers were hard to come by, according to Zavada. So, he tried something new: online classes.

http://www.westfargopioneer.com/news/4361841-nd-rural-schools-expand-class-offerings-through-online-courses

by Kristen Wuerl, Luther Chips

In January 2017, Luther College’s Information Technology Services (ITS) began implementing changes to update faculty and staff work computers issued by Luther.
ITS will complete two important changes over the course of this current refresh cycle, which began during the 2016 academic year and will last three to four years. ITS is transitioning faculty and staff from Apple Mac computers to Dell computers where they consider it beneficial, and is supercharging computers that the faculty and staff currently have. Supercharging a computer involves increasing its random access memory (RAM) to eight gigabytes and replacing hard drives with faster 240 gigabytes Solid State Drives (SSDs). The supercharged computers will physically look the same but will have better performing processors.

https://www.lutherchips.com/4534/news/luther-to-switch-from-mac-to-pc/

http://www.thetechedvocate.org/fix-edtechs-diversity-problem/

BY LYNNE MAY LIM, DIANA TRAYLOR, AND ROBIN RICKETTS, eCampus News
The children we teach were born with technology as a part of their lives. They don’t know a world without touchscreen phones and computers in every room. In today’s world, saying that subjects like coding and robotics “are for ‘big kids’” is like saying “reading is for ‘big kids.’” Children need to actually touch, manipulate, and experiment with objects in order to fully understand them. Robots bring this physical interaction to the potentially intimidating process of understanding engineering and programming. If we add in the social interaction of working with friends, we can deepen the understanding through conversation and the sharing of ideas.

https://www.eschoolnews.com/2017/11/17/introduce-kindergarteners-robots/

by Matthew Lynch, Tech Edvocate

The start of each new school year brings a barrage of new apps and skills for educators to master. Keeping up with it can feel very overwhelming! But it’s not the apps you use or the skills you’ve mastered that make you truly “tech-savvy.” Rather, it’s a whole attitude of mind. Here are the 10 most essential habits of tech-savvy teachers.

http://www.thetechedvocate.org/10-habits-tech-savvy-teachers/

by JACKIE MADER and SARAH BUTRYMOWICZ , Hechinger Report
About a third of the students with disabilities who enroll in a four-year college or university graduate within eight years. For those who enroll in two-year schools, the outcomes aren’t much better: 41 percent, according to federal data. The dismal outcomes aren’t because students with disabilities can’t handle the coursework. The vast majority of special education students can grasp rigorous academic content. Experts estimate that up to 90 percent should be able to graduate from high school meeting the same standards as general education students, ready to succeed in college and careers. But high schools often neglect to teach these students the soft skills that will help them in higher education — like how to study, manage their time and self-advocate.

http://hechingerreport.org/vast-majority-students-disabilities-dont-get-college-degree/

BY BHUSHAN AKOLKAR, Coinspeaker

LiveEDU is developing a completely decentralized online-learning platform on the blockchain network that imparts real-life project-based learning. LiveEDU ICO will go live next week from Nov 21st. With the huge increase in global connectivity in the past decade, the online-education-industry has witnessed a reformative transformation. Cheap and easily available internet connectivity has made it possible that information is available to anyone and everyone on the planet. LiveEDU.tv, which offers live video streaming services for learning, is planning to launch a completely decentralized online-learning platform on the blockchain network.

https://www.coinspeaker.com/2017/11/17/liveedu-ico-bringing-reform-global-online-education-blockchain-smart-contracts/

By Dedrick Russell, WBTV

Charlotte-Mecklenburg School (CMS) parents are concerned about the future location of their children’s school. The district is moving the E-Learning Academy to another location because that facility is going to be used for an elementary school. The Academy allows students to come to a facility to learn online and receive critical one-on-one attention from teachers. Students say it’s a stress-free environment.  Parents say the academy has changed the lives of their children.

http://www.wbtv.com/story/36872323/e-learning-academy-parents-want-a-good-location-for-the-school

By Joe Chapman, US News

For students embarking on their online education experience, being proactive from the start is key. One way to do that is to take advantage of student services before you start your online classes. Most universities offer a variety of support services to ensure that online students easily transition into managing their coursework – especially on top of work and family responsibilities – and planning for their futures. Here are three steps to take to connect with support staff before starting your online coursework.

https://www.usnews.com/education/online-learning-lessons/articles/2017-11-17/consult-student-services-before-starting-an-online-degree-program