3 ways to reimagine learning spaces

BY LAURA ASCIONE, eSchool News

As schools depart from traditional instructional methods and environments, some education leaders are discovering how a combination of blended learning and reimagined physical learning spaces can lead to better student engagement and achievement. Redesigning physical learning spaces can lead to brain-friendly learning and encourage students to become more engaged. And when learning spaces are flexible, they provide more modern learning experiences and meet various needs, such as small-group collaboration, large-group instruction, and individual study or review.

https://www.eschoolnews.com/2017/11/27/3-ways-reimagine-learning-spaces/

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=34160

Still? Most teachers feel unprepared to use technology in the classroom

BY LAURA ASCIONE, eSchool News

An alarmingly large majority of U.S. teachers–78 percent–say they feel they haven’t received the training they need to teach with technology in the classroom, according to new research. The study from edtech and coding company SAM Labs, conducted online with independent research firm 72 Point, outlines the opportunities teachers see when it comes to technology in the classroom, as well as some of the biggest challenges the U.S. education system faces related to computer science and coding.

https://www.eschoolnews.com/2017/11/27/teachers-technology-classroom/

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=34150

Campuses show major shift in supporting student success

BY LAURA ASCIONE, eCampus News

Institutions are increasingly focused on supporting student success, with 73 percent of colleges and universities shifting their organizational structure to benefit students, according to a new study. The research study aims to demonstrate how higher education institutions are evolving to support student success and close the student-college digital divide. Unit4, a provider of higher-ed student management systems, conducted the research to ascertain how student success is driving investment in core systems.

https://www.ecampusnews.com/campus-administration/campuses-shift-student-success/

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=34140

Actualizing the Online Community College

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

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=34130

America’s Digitalization Divide

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/

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=34120

Personalized Learning Should Start in Libraries

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/

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=34110

9 must-have apps and tools for kids who hate math

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/

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=34100

Can Online Credit Recovery Recover?

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

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=34090

Making blended learning work in your classroom

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/

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=34080

Textbooks optional: What unbundling and BYOD mean for learning technology

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/

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=34065

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

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

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=34055

STEM education is about hands on experiences

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

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=34045

Illinois Lt. Governor looks to expand online classrooms in rural schools

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

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=34035

How can tech transfer offices evolve to support innovation?

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/

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=34015

South Dakota university to offer 18-day intensive courses

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

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=34005

ND rural schools expand class offerings through online courses

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

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=33995

Luther to switch from Mac to PC

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/

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=33985

How to fix EdTech’s diversity problem

3 reasons to introduce kindergarteners to robots

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/

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=33965

10 habits of tech-savvy teachers

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/

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=33955

The vast majority of students with disabilities don’t get a college degree

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/

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=33945

LiveEdu ICO – Bringing a Reform In Global Online Education With Blockchain

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/

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=33930

E-Learning Academy parents want a good location for the school

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

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=33920

Consult Student Services Before Starting an Online Degree

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

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=33910

Deep Neural Networks for Face Detection Explained on Apple’s Machine Learning Journal

by Juli Clover, Mac Rumors
Apple today published a new entry in its online Machine Learning Journal, this time covering an on-device deep neural network for face detection, aka the technology that’s used to power the facial recognition feature used in Photos and other apps. Facial detection features were first introduced as part of iOS 10 in the Core Image framework, and it was used on-device to detect faces in photos so people could view their images by person in the Photos app. Implementing this technology was no small feat, says Apple, as it required “orders of magnitude more memory, much more disk storage, and more computational resources.”

https://www.macrumors.com/2017/11/16/machine-learning-journal-face-detection/

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=33900

Sex education online instead of in class? Utah lawmaker exploring the idea

By Sean Moody, KSL

Rep. Justin Fawson, R-North Ogden, suggested an online program that parents could opt their children in or out of. The main module, he said, would cover the basics of reproductive health. If parents wanted their kids to learn about other topics, they could choose to include other online modules. Fawson spoke with the Utah State Board of Education Standards and Assessment Committee earlier this month about how that change could look. “I tend to feel that we should educate our kids to a point where they can make good decisions, but I also respect parental involvement and parental opt-in,” Fawson said.

https://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=46198847

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=33890

Stephen Curry to teach online courses on basketball skills

by NBA.Com

Stephen Curry list of accolades on the court includes a pair of Kia MVP, a pair of NBA championships, multiple All-Star appearances and many more. Off the court, he’s looking to add to his list of accomplishments, too, as he will soon be serving as a professor of sorts. In an interview with ESPN.com’s Chris Haynes, Curry said he will be partnering with MasterClass.com to teach, via video, classes on basketball fundamentals including shooting, using ball screens, finishing on either side of the rim and more. The class is geared toward beginners and intermediates, Haynes reports, and Curry is seeking to help players advance with the overall acceleration of their games. Curry also wants to help players understand the maturation process needed in shooting a lot of his specialty — 3-point shots.

http://www.nba.com/article/2017/11/16/stephen-curry-golden-state-warriors-teach-online-basketball-class#/

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=33880

The rising sun of HEA reauthorization

by Ken Salomon Christopher Murray, Thompson Coburn

Behind the scenes of the turmoil in Washington this year, congressional staff have been hard at work on the next iteration of the Higher Education Act. At long last, the curtain-raising for HEA reauthorization is expected within the next few weeks. The HEA, which has not been reauthorized since 2008, governs a huge range of federal higher education policy. Everything from college access to student debt, from campus sexual assault to student data will be addressed by Congress when it takes up its rewrite of the law. So what should you expect to happen?

https://www.thompsoncoburn.com/insights/blogs/regucation/post/2017-11-16/the-rising-sun-of-hea-reauthorization

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=33865

After Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico University Turns to the Cloud to Restore Student Services

By Dian Schaffhauser, Campus Technology
When September’s massive storm knocked out access to electricity, clean water and communications for the entire island, Universidad del Sagrado Corazón needed to get up and running fast. Thanks to an extraordinary IT team and the resources of the cloud, the school was back in action within a few weeks.

https://campustechnology.com/articles/2017/11/16/after-hurricane-maria-puerto-rico-university-turns-to-the-cloud-to-restore-student-services.aspx

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=33855

What teachers and administrators want from edtech companies

By Matthew Lynch, Tech Edvocate

Teachers, administrators, and edtech companies have a common goal: to meet student needs. Sometimes, though, it can seem like educators and edtech companies are working against each other. Avoid coming across as the panacea for everything. Honesty is a great policy to practice when touting your edtech. If you lie or even exaggerate about your product, you will be found out. You can’t be the solution in every situation, so don’t say that you are. In summary, provide educators what they want in edtech, and everyone benefits.

http://www.thetechedvocate.org/teachers-administrators-want-edtech-companies/

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=33845

4 tips for learning retention

BY LAURIE DETWEILER, eSchool News

Tools to memorize and to benchmark references are both great for making learning stick. And great teachers build their teaching on them. It is so important to help children understand that they are not just studying to get a good grade, but to learn. As teachers and parents, we need to foster that love.

https://www.eschoolnews.com/2017/11/16/4-tips-learning-retention/

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=33825

Can analytics help schools hire the best teachers?

BY NICK MONTGOMERY, eSchool News

Improving the hiring process starts with tracking the basic statistics. For example, measuring how many applicants you receive, and how many applicants get through each hiring phase, including the application, screening and interviewing processes. Tracking provides insights into which jobs are going unfilled and why. In addition, you should track “time-to-hire” statistics to determine whether you are filling jobs as quickly as possible. These data points should include how long it takes you to fill a job and how long applicants sit in your applicant pool after they apply. Best practices suggest making an offer within 30 days or less from when the teacher applies. If you don’t, the odds of a teacher rejecting your offer increase by 60 percent.

https://www.eschoolnews.com/2017/11/16/data-help-hire-best-teachers/

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=33815

Updating Education for the Evolving Job Market: Learning at the Pace of Life and Work

by Sophie Wade, Huffington Post

The static, one-off pre-work learning format is being quickly supplanted by new education models such edX’s MicroMasters programs to provide for evolving job and ongoing career development requirements. New access, availability and pricing options greatly improve opportunities for workers to augment knowledge and qualifications to match with existing and future employment specifications.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/updating-education-for-the-evolving-job-market-learning_us_5a0b67e9e4b06d8966cf335f

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=33800

Four tips for adult digital learners

by Guy Dixon, Globe and Mail

MOOCs have become another option, along with the plethora of online courses already offered directly by postsecondary institutions, for busy adults looking to dip into online learning, whether for work or pleasure. And as a result, this has led to rapid changes in adult learning. The design of online classes has evolved dramatically in the past five years. And what is required of students online has also changed dramatically. Prospective students who choose to study online have a few key issues to consider.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/four-tips-for-adult-digital-learners/article36984396/

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=33780

Udacity’s Sebastian Thrun: ‘Silicon Valley has an obligation to reach out to all of the world’

by Chloe Cornish, Financial Times

Mr Thrun, who stepped down as chief executive in 2016, and is now company president, is a fan of adaptability. “You very carefully analyse what’s happening and you change course,” he says. To date, some 18,000 students have graduated with nanodegrees, ranging from programmes for artificial intelligence and deep machine learning, to robotics and digital marketing. Course prices vary: Udacity’s four-month introduction to self-driving car engineering, for example, costs $800, while a four-month course teaching a programming tool called React is $499. Other, longer courses cost up to $2,400.

https://www.ft.com/content/51c47f88-b278-11e7-8007-554f9eaa90ba

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=33770

Richland 1 school district launches first-of-its-kind virtual school in South Carolina

By Paul Bowers, Post and Courier

Richland County School District 1 launched its Virtual Program this fall, offering a full slate of high school courses to students who can now opt out of ever setting foot in a traditional classroom. A spokeswoman said the district set aside $500,000 for the program in its first year but is not spending the full amount. The new virtual school aims to serve “home schoolers, teen parents, and the academically gifted student, as well as aspiring professional dancers, artists or athletes who must train or practice during the day,” according to the school district website. It is open to students inside and outside of the district.

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/richland-school-district-launches-first-of-its-kind-virtual-school/article_a7e2ba5e-c49a-11e7-bf02-efe636fc5079.html

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=33750