Some superintendents push schools into the digital age

by eSchool News

Educational technology, for all its potential, is riddled with glitches and startup pains, especially when you’re among the first to trade pencils for tablets. Yet some pioneering school leaders insist that thrusting schools into the digital Petri dish is imperative for students’ success. These leaders–from places such as Overland Park, Kan., and Middletown, N.Y.–risk upsetting staff and budget watchdogs by following their conviction that innovation with technology can help teachers target learning and help students master basic skills. They forge ahead, piloting programs, building digital curricula, enabling enthusiastic teachers and dragging the reluctant ones into the new age.

http://www.eschoolnews.com/2014/06/19/schools-digital-age-903/

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7 engaging video sites for teachers and students

By Laura Devaney, eSchool News

Teachers and students need access to interesting and thought-provoking videos. Students have different learning styles, and teachers strive to individualize instruction whenever possible. But videos often appeal to students of all learning styles when they are engaging, informative, and inspiring. Some of the world’s top experts in various academic areas have helped to create videos in which they explain complex concepts in ways that students are able to understand, which gives students real-world knowledge of how they might apply their classroom lessons after they leave school. Linked at this site are six engaging sites that might add something new to your classroom.

http://www.eschoolnews.com/2014/06/19/engaging-video-resources-487/

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from Educational Technology http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uis/edtech/~3/7xpJS3bUs6Y/

Embracing online learning in San Diego County schools

By Caroline Winn, Randy Ward & Bruce Braciszewski, U-T San Diego

As the 2013-2014 school year draws to a close, it is clear San Diego County’s schools stand at a threshold. A threshold that marks what is becoming a transformational shift from traditional, “four-wall education,” to one that embraces the digital future. Two-thirds of principals surveyed nationally say online education is critical to keeping our students engaged. Parents agree. Approximately 60 percent in the same survey want their students placed in classrooms where mobile devices are allowed.

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/jun/21/embracing-online-learning-in-san-diego-county/

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from Educational Technology http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uis/edtech/~3/PQdGLfG1Tf4/

Everything You Need to Know About Facebook’s Controversial Emotion Experiment

Facebook conducted a study for one week in 2012 testing the effects of manipulating News Feed based on emotions. The results have hit the media like a bomb. What did the study find? Was it ethical? And what could or should have been changed?

















from WIRED » Science http://feeds.wired.com/c/35185/f/661470/s/3c089bae/sc/21/l/0L0Swired0N0C20A140C0A60Ceverything0Eyou0Eneed0Eto0Eknow0Eabout0Efacebooks0Emanipulative0Eexperiment0C/story01.htm

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Vintage Pesticide Paraphernalia From the Glory Days of DDT

The insecticide DDT is mostly thought of today as a bird-killing eco-nightmare. But it wasn't always so. DDT was once a Nobel Prize-worthy miracle of modern chemistry. And for decade or two in the mid-20th century, ordinary people used DDT---lots of it---in ways that seem extraordinary today.

















from WIRED » Science http://feeds.wired.com/c/35185/f/661470/s/3c044587/sc/10/l/0L0Swired0N0C20A140C0A60Cvintage0Epesticide0Eddt0C/story01.htm

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Have We Been Interpreting Quantum Mechanics Wrong This Whole Time?

For nearly a century, “reality” has been a murky concept. The laws of quantum physics seem to suggest that particles spend much of their time in a ghostly state, lacking even basic properties such as a definite location and instead existing everywhere and nowhere at once. Only when a particle is measured does it suddenly […]

















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11 Free Online Courses For Teachers (PD Opportunity)

By Katie Lepi, Edudemic

Summertime is a great time for teachers to recharge their batteries a bit. We’ve compiled a short list of some great MOOCs for teachers that can help you kickstart your own learning this summer (even if you’re pretty sure that your students are off at the beach/camp/sitting in front of the television or playing video games 24/7). These are all geared specifically towards educators and issues in education, and while some are specific, most can be applicable to teachers for a wide array of age groups and subjects.

http://www.edudemic.com/moocs-teachers-boost-pd-summer/

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from Educational Technology http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uis/edtech/~3/R6blWT8U0ec/

45 Powerful Tools To Create Polls And Quizzes In The Classroom

By Katie Lepi, Edudemic

Using polling tools in the classroom is probably old hat by now. There are a ton of different tools available to teachers – many of them free- and they’re being put to use in a variety of different ways. From simply polling your class to get information and opinions to taking quizzes and having your students poll for group work or projects, there are a lot of possibilities out there for these types of tools. Check out this awesome List.ly – its filled chock full of 45 tools to create quizzes or polls in your classroom. Do you have any favorites that aren’t included in the list?

http://www.edudemic.com/45-tools-create-quizzes-polls-classroom/

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from Educational Technology http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uis/edtech/~3/BZXhSWToTSA/

These Six Companies Are Leading The Way In EdTech

by Drew Hendricks, Forbes

After two decades of progress, and after at least eight years of ambitious educational technology (edtech) startups spending fortunes on R&D (and marketing), the sector has finally reached a modicum of maturity. Top edtech companies are getting the attention of large, traditional education companies as well as venture capital firms. Methods used by edtech are being found effective and are generating profit. Given all that, it’s a good time take to a step back and look at who’s currently at the vanguard of edtech.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/drewhendricks/2014/06/20/these-six-companies-are-leading-the-way-in-tech-education/

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This Company May Hold the Secret to the Future of Education

by Victor Luckerson, Time

Whether people are actually learning new languages effectively with Duolingo is still an open question. von Ahn is careful not to oversell the capabilities of the service. The idea that a piece of software could make a person fluent in a foreign language in mere hours is, in his words, “bull—t.” “If you really want to become perfectly fluent, probably what you need to do is move to that country,” he says. “Learning a language is something that takes years.” Still, he says completing all the lessons in a language course in Duolingo is about the equivalent of taking an intermediate-level language course in college. A study commissioned by the company found that people learned as much taking Duolingo lessons in Spanish for 34 hours as they would in a semester of an introductory college class.

http://time.com/2902109/duolingo-online-education-moocs/

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How MOOCs are flattening corporate training and education

By Erin Carson, TechRepublic

The MOOCs trend is bleeding into other segments of learning too. Saba Software is a learning and talent management provider that aids in compliance needs, as well as talent enrichment. According to Nag Chandrashekar, senior product director, when they ask customers what they want in terms of adding to the Saba framework, it’s MOOCs integration. “It’s the most interesting revelation for us in talking to our customers,” he said. Now, Saba hopes to build partnerships that would bring MOOC content into their system so customers can not only access it but keep track of things like certifications as the idea of continuous education gains ground. And apart from big name MOOC platforms, companies are taking the idea and often the structure of this next iteration of online learning, and creating their own MOOCs, both internal and external facing.

http://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-moocs-are-flattening-corporate-training-and-education/

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from Educational Technology http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uis/edtech/~3/kkQYM71TWCw/

Internet can keep kids excited about learning this summer

by the Spectrum

In summer, keeping kids busy means camp, pool time and outdoor games. But all that sun, fun and physical activity should also be well-balanced with mental exercise. With that in mind, here are several ways kids and parents can use the Internet to focus on education when class is not in session. Nothing beats one-on-one learning time to improve grades and build confidence and yet most kids learn in large groups all school year. Students can get that one-to-one time this summer with online tutoring. Available 24/7 with expert tutors in more than 40 subjects, Tutor.com is a great way to help students brush up on concepts and keep their skills sharp all in a secure online learning environment that is accessible from any computer or mobile device.

http://www.thespectrum.com/story/life/features/mesquite/2014/06/19/internet-can-keep-kids-excited-learning-summer/11006339/

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from Educational Technology http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uis/edtech/~3/IJSC5tDKxxc/

Think Twice Before Cheating in Online Courses

By Devon Haynie, US News

Instructors can rattle off a number of reasons why online students should think twice about cheating: they learn less, they cheapen their credential and in some cases, they even get caught. Instructors use webcam proctoring, among other methods, to cut down on cheating in online classes. Still, the message falls on deaf ears. “A lot of people cheat a little,” says David Pritchard, a physics professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology who has studied academic dishonesty. “There’s also a few people who cheat a lot.”

http://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/articles/2014/06/17/think-twice-before-cheating-in-online-courses

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from Educational Technology http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uis/edtech/~3/93NM5H907bY/

Duolingo offers free language learning while helping to translate the web

By Erin Carson, Tech Republic

Luis von Ahn was bored. “The goal is to make Duolingo the de facto way to learn a language around the world,” he said. Users sign up and pick a language to learn. Whether on a browser, mobile phone, or tablet, they work through a tree of skills, like adjectives, or possessive pronouns, with exercises that include speaking, listening, and translating. A recent study by the City University of New York said that 34 hours spent on Duolingo equaled a semester of a language class. While Gina Gotthilf, head of marketing and international development at Duolingo says that Duolingo is not a substitute for the classroom, there are several reasons why Duolingo is proving effective. For one, Duolingo is managing to keep users engaged. Online learning has a notoriously high dropout rate. About 40-50% of their more than 25 million users are active in the course, which might be due to how game-like the Duolingo format is.

http://www.techrepublic.com/article/duolingo-offers-free-language-while-helping-to-translate-the-web/

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from Educational Technology http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uis/edtech/~3/RyS2DmRLvLk/

Sprint Supports ConnectED, Boosts e-Learning Scope

by Zacks Equity Research

Since the launch of the government initiative ConnectED that focuses on expanding online education, telecom service providers have been keen about lending support to this cause. One of the front runners, Sprint Corporation (S – Analyst Report) has already announced its plans in this regard. The company has launched the online ConnectED application and information portal to help educational institutions and school districts in applying and receiving the Sprint Spark high-speed wireless broadband connectivity for up to four years, to further off-campus digital learning opportunities. The initiative will benefit up to 50,000 students across the U.S.

http://www.zacks.com/stock/news/136999/sprint-supports-connected-boosts-e-learning-scope

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from Educational Technology http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uis/edtech/~3/LooF1mCZCrc/

Absurd Creature of the Week: World’s Most Beautiful Sponge Dismantles Its Victims Cell by Cell

If you were a sea creature and you wanted to form a band, you’d have some tough decisions to make. Who should take vocals: dolphins or whales? And what about the drums? Presumably it’d be some sort of cephalopod, what with all those arms, but would it play on giant clams or brain corals? And […]

















from WIRED » Science http://feeds.wired.com/c/35185/f/661470/s/3bf05893/sc/36/l/0L0Swired0N0C20A140C0A60Cabsurd0Ecreature0Eof0Ethe0Eweek0Eharp0Esponge0C/story01.htm

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Hack Your Classroom – Week Seven: Handing the power over to the learners

by Claire Amos, Teaching and eLearning

Interestingly, when it comes to teachers not really adopting and embracing technology it often isn’t technical skill or lack thereof that is the problem, it is the teachers need to maintain power and control in the classroom. You hear the panic, the running joke that BYOD stands for Bring Your Own Distraction. Well I hate to break it to you, but if the students are distracted by the technology (particularly after the novelty of access to the Internet has worn off) the problem ain’t the technology – quite possibly your/their teaching and the students lack of ownership of their learning is. *lobs grenade and ducks for cover*

http://www.teachingandelearning.com/2014/06/hack-your-classroom-week-seven-handing.html

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from Educational Technology http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uis/edtech/~3/Oc7fmveR4So/

Education, My Career: The digital classroom

by Kristie Kellahan, Sydney Morning Herald

Dr Marilyn Dunn-Bernstein is helping students and teachers learn through online programs. Significant growth in the tertiary education field is occurring in the online arena, with increasing numbers of students expanding their skills without leaving their house. A recent survey of Open Colleges students found that two-thirds of students surveyed already had jobs while completing their online studies. A third of those surveyed said they were studying in order to make a career change. Online learning appealed because they could study anywhere, any time and at their own pace.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/education-my-career-the-digital-classroom-20140612-zs56v.html

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For women in technology, a little support goes a long way

By Laura Raines, AJC

Tanzania Adams saw few women in her classes while earning her engineering degree at the University of Alabama about 25 years ago. There weren’t many women co-workers at Southern Company either, but she’s seeing the numbers grow and doing what she can to support young women entering science, technology, engineering and math fields. Recently promoted to area manager of Statesboro for Georgia Power Co., Adams is one of the corporate advisory board members of the Women in Technology chapter at Gwinnett Technical College. The group launched last year as part of a pilot program to put WiT chapters at Gwinnett Tech, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, Kennesaw State University and Spelman College.

http://www.ajc.com/news/news/education/for-women-in-technology-a-little-support-goes-a-lo/ngG7J/

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from Educational Technology http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uis/edtech/~3/T3DyEHMesoo/

Gigantic Ocean Eddies Seen From Space Could Change Climate Model

[HTML1] The weather is a dance between an odd couple: the frantic atmosphere and the staid sea. The atmosphere changes quickly, as when a strong wind suddenly starts to blow or a cyclone careens ashore. The ocean seems more sedate. Its wide gyres trace the edges of continents, carrying sun-warmed water from the equator out […]

















from WIRED » Science http://feeds.wired.com/c/35185/f/661470/s/3bea5694/sc/10/l/0L0Swired0N0C20A140C0A60Cgigantic0Eocean0Eeddies0C/story01.htm

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How Evolution Gave Some Fish Their Shocking Electric Powers

The electric eel is one of the many creatures Charles Darwin sliced up and examined in his years aboard the H.M.S. Beagle. When he cut it open, he found that 80 percent of the fish’s body was taken up by three organs made of what looked like muscle tissue, but not quite. This is where […]

















from WIRED » Science http://feeds.wired.com/c/35185/f/661470/s/3be9a0d3/sc/10/l/0L0Swired0N0C20A140C0A60Celectric0Efish0Econvergent0Eevolution0C/story01.htm

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