Tanque Verde district finds online grade discrepancies

By Yoohyun Jung, Tucson.com

Tanque Verde schools officials have found discrepancies in the grades of some high school students enrolled in the district’s digital learning program. Seventy-nine Tanque Verde High School students’ final course grades did not match the grades and supporting documents of the online course provider, said Claire Place, the district’s spokeswoman. Those students were enrolled in online courses between summer 2013 and spring 2015 and are currently enrolled at the school. The district is not reviewing the records of students who have graduated or are not enrolled in the district. “They have their diplomas,” she said. “We don’t feel that it would be of benefit to them to go back.” A teacher associated with the discrepancies has been identified, she said. The teacher resigned at the beginning of the school year, and a report was filed last week with the state Board of Education.

http://tucson.com/news/local/education/tanque-verde-district-finds-grade-discrepancies-for-online-classes/article_3b2506fc-8663-5b10-9550-2654a17eccfc.html

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=14113

4 Reasons to Use Blended Learning In Your Leadership Development

by Darleen DeRosa, B2C

Employees today often have schedules that leave little time for training. Between meetings and tight deadlines, many do not have enough hours in their workday to squeeze in classroom time. Yet if they don’t devote ample time to developing their skills, they’ll never progress into the well-rounded leaders you need to support your company’s future growth. Fortunately, technology has propelled training to the next level through blended learning programs, which combine in-person courses with instructor-led online leadership training and self-paced methods such as e-learning.

http://www.business2community.com/leadership/4-reasons-to-use-blended-learning-in-your-leadership-development-01348545

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=14103

Utah tries offering preschool online

By Emma Brown, The Washington Post

Can 4-year-olds learn what they need to know for kindergarten by sitting in front of a computer for 15 minutes a day? Utah is betting they can. This year, more than 6,600 children across the state are learning by logging onto laptops at home in a taxpayer-funded online preschool program that’s unlike any other. This is preschool without circle time on the carpet, free play with friends and real, live teachers. In online preschool, children navigate through a series of lessons, games and songs with the help of a computer mouse and two animated raccoons named Rusty and Rosy. The Obama administration last year awarded an $11.5 million grant to expand the online program into rural communities to study how well it prepares children for kindergarten. Schools in South Carolina are testing it out, and Idaho lawmakers are considering a pilot program. It’s a sign of the growing interest among educators in using technology to customize learning, even for the youngest children.

http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/education/utah-tries-offering-preschool-online/article_63cdb669-4d80-59b1-bd34-091997be008b.html

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=14071

Teacher-Controlled Video Observations Improve Teacher Assessment Process

By Leila Meyer, THE Journal

Teachers who participated in a year-long study comparing video-recorded and in-person classroom observations found the video observation process fairer and more useful overall than in-person observations, according to a new report from the Center for Education Policy Research (CEPR) at Harvard University. The report, “The Best Foot Forward Project: Substituting Teacher-Collected Video for In-Person Classroom Observations,” summarizes the findings of the first year of implementation of the Best Food Forward Project. The researchers studied 347 teachers and 108 administrators at schools in Delaware, Georgia, Colorado and California.

https://thejournal.com/articles/2015/10/07/report-teacher-controlled-video-observations-improve-teacher-assessment-process.aspx

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=14038

Paper or Tablet? Reading Recall and Comprehension

by Anne Niccoli, EDUCAUSE Review

As of 2014, 63 percent of colleges reported using e-textbooks, while 27 percent planned to in the near future.1 But what drives these digital book policies and practices in higher education — technology or research? Considering the pervasiveness of digital devices, the lack of sufficient guidance for educators to make informed decisions about instruction and learning is disconcerting. Despite the widespread adoption of tablets in schools, ranging from elementary through higher education, research about the effects of tablet use on student learning has obvious gaps. Rapid technological advances and changing features in electronic devices create challenges for those who study the effects of using them; specifically, researchers face limitations in understanding the effects of digital reading on student recall and comprehension. More important, increasing our understanding of the influence of electronic devices on learning will inform educators about the implications of test scores and performance.

http://er.educause.edu/articles/2015/9/paper-or-tablet-reading-recall-and-comprehension

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=14025

What are the “black swans” of higher ed-tech?

By Ron Bethke, eCampus News

According to ed-tech experts, responding as flexibly as possible to often unpredictable trends and new technologies is critical for maximizing their potential positive impact on learning. “Black Swans” was the latest webinar hosted by The New Media Consortium in their Beyond the Horizon series, and featured a panel of five experts led and moderated by Dr. Ruben Puentedura, founder of the Hippasus educational consulting firm.

http://www.ecampusnews.com/technologies/ed-tech-future-101/

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=14009

Can online learning rise to the challenge?

By Charles McIntyre, EdTech

Two billion students will be learning English over the next decade, 80% of global companies say English is needed to succeed in their business and 55% of all websites are written in English. The English language is pervasive and the teaching of English is big business. Expenditure on English language learning is growing at twice the rate of spend on education more generally and by 2018 we expect global expenditure on English language learning to exceed $80bn, almost 4x more than the total spend on all the other languages put together. The challenge is how to deliver English language learning in an effective way. Language learning is a sophisticated skill that requires high levels of engagement and ideally a fully immersive experience. For example, it is not easy to replicate the outside world of multiple accents, different speeds of delivery and a wide range of vocabulary in a classroom.

http://edtechnology.co.uk/Article/can-online-learning-rise-to-the-challenge

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=13974

Class time at the kitchen table for Lowell students

By Amelia Pak-Harvey, the Sun

For the Crompton siblings, school begins in the comfort of own living room, after they eat breakfast and do their morning chores. By 9 a.m., the two sets of twins meet their mother, Linda, for a Bible reading and prayer time. Then they’re back on their own, reviewing their tasks in the assignment book she creates for them. Correct pages 178 and 180 in grammar. Study Lesson 14 for vocabulary. Move on to the next section in math drills. The Cromptons are among 37 families in Lowell who have opted to home-school their children, a minority group of 56 children in a low-income district of roughly 14,000 students.

http://www.berkshireeagle.com/news/ci_28882620/class-time-at-kitchen-table-lowell-students

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=13965

Why My Kids Finished Their MOOC—When Most Adults Don’t

by Alex Hernandez, EdSurge

My 9-year-old twins recently completed a five-week MOOC (massive open online course). I thought I’d be a proud, high-fiving dad, but MOOC completion rates hover around 6%, so when they completed the MOOC, I was mostly puzzled. Something went terribly… right. Brain Chase is an online learning experience geared for 2nd to 8th graders designed to cure summer learning loss and provide afterschool enrichment. Each week, children work on a variety of online programs such as Khan Academy, myOn and Rosetta Stone, submit a piece of writing and read–a substantial investment of 5 hours a week during the summer. Brain Chase takes a standard set of online learning programs like Khan Academy and Rosetta Stone and layers a Hollywood-like treasure hunt–reminiscent of the National Treasure or Indiana Jones movies–over the top. Once kids meet their weekly goals, a video is unlocked which reveals clues to find a buried treasure.

https://www.edsurge.com/news/2015-09-21-why-my-kids-finished-their-mooc-when-most-adults-don-t

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=13956

OKCPS goes online with studies

by Meg Ormiston, OKC Friday

During the 2012-13 school year, the Oklahoma Public School District jumped onboard and started the online education program iOKCPS. It is designed to offer unique educational opportunities to meet a wide variety of student needs, Innovative Program Coordinator Scot McAdoo said. It was definitely the best option for Jayme Pierson, a 17-year-old 12th grader who began taking online classes at the start of her junior year. The results have been good in the time that it has been available, McAdoo said. There are a large number of OKCPS students who have been able to recover credits toward graduation. One drawback to online classrooms is the lack of socialization, but that can be overcome. Seeing people from schools she previously attended fills that gap for Jayme. She also interacts with others at her job.

http://okcfriday.com/okcps-goes-online-with-studies-p10185-92.htm

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=13948

Scenario-Based Learning in the Online Classroom

By: Rob Kelly, Faculty Focus

Scenario-based learning can be an effective way for students to apply what they have learned to realistic situations. There are many different ways to design scenarios for online delivery, from text-based case studies to interactive, immersive simulations. Regardless of the resources that you have available, there are effective ways to put students in scenarios that contribute to their learning. In an interview with Online Classroom, Claudia Howery, elearning instructional coordinator at Delta College, explained the basic principles of scenario-based learning and offered advice on how to implement it an online course.

http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/online-education/scenario-based-learning-in-the-online-classroom/

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=13939

The digital learning plan every educator should read

By Stephen Noonoo, eSchool News

Of interest to both lawmakers and educators, the DLP makes recommendations around providing flexible professional development for district-level staff and principals, as well as the creation of a larger network of PD facilitators devoted to helping teachers adjust to digital learning concepts, such as blended instruction. It also suggests beefing up regional and statewide collaborations to support local educators and developing sustainable funding models. Of course, many of these initiatives will require new funding, and the report takes pains to spell out where federal money can step in and what, exactly, the state might be on the hook for. “It’s been quite a budgetary fight,” Corn said about working with legislators to secure those funds. “But we did get an increase in textbook allotment and school connectivity. We didn’t get everything we asked for but because of the Digital Learning Plan and the conversations we’ve been having, at a time when our state budgets have been fiscally conservative, they did give increases in those two areas.”

http://www.eschoolnews.com/2015/09/23/digital-learning-plan-749/

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=13913

Will MOOCs open or close Russia’s universities to the world?

by Artem Kureev, Russia Direct

Last week, during the second EdCrunch international conference on new educational technologies, Open Education, a new Russian online educational platform, launched. It is the first site in Russia to offer students massive open online courses (MOOCs) equal in weight to more traditional modes of study. The new resource is expected to raise higher education to the next level and improve overall quality in regional universities and affiliated structures. However, there are some drawbacks. For example, some claim that Open Education represents the latest step by the Russian authorities to isolate the country from Western knowledge and information resources. Moreover, not all representatives of Russian higher education are in favor of virtual learning.

http://www.russia-direct.org/analysis/will-moocs-open-or-close-russias-universities-world

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=13906

SETDA publishes OER case studies from 3 states

by eSchoolNews

Online case studies highlight OER implementation in schools. SETDA has published a series of case studies focused on the implementation of Open Educational Resources (OER) at the school level. The online resource, OER in Action: Implementation Highlights, examines the definitions and parameters of OER, includes a variety of resources, and provides an in-depth look at the implementation of OER in New York, Utah and Washington.

http://www.eschoolnews.com/2015/09/22/setda-oer-studies-634/

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=13898

Pearson hosts third student coding contest

by eCampusNews

Coding contest challenges and rewards students who develop innovative learning applications that help to improve student achievement. Pearson is partnering with the Hour of Code to launch the third annual Student Coding Contest. The 2015 contest places an emphasis on recruiting college students and teams to develop original groundbreaking learning applications that integrate with Pearson Application Programming Interfaces or APIs. The contest offers students a chance to win cash prizes and a potential opportunity for a Pearson internship. Students are challenged to focus and integrate efficacy, a positive, measurable impact on learning, into the development of their applications.

http://www.ecampusnews.com/top-news/pearson-coding-contest-465/

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=13889

Texas’ big strides in preparing students for college math

By Lindsay Fitzpatrick, eSchool News

A new math course is boosting collaboration and learning and may be key to getting more students college ready. In Texas, 51% of two-year and 12 percent of four-year students required remediation upon entry to college.i Complete College America found that, of two year college students who took developmental classes, only 5.8% earned a degree in three years. As an effort to address these challenges, in 2013 Texas passed House Bill 5, an innovative education legislation that included a College Prep Mathematics course as one means to increase the number of college-ready students. This course provides high school seniors who are still struggling with mathematics concepts needed for college an opportunity to complete their preparation for college mathematics.

http://www.eschoolnews.com/2015/09/18/texas-college-math-185/

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=13873

Microdegrees Boost Tech Learning

BY ERIC NIILER, Discovery News

Technology jobs are changing so fast that some believe traditional four-year degrees may be out of date by the time the college graduate starts drawing a paycheck. One firm is hoping to reverse this trend by offering “nanodegrees,” short, focused courses of study tailored the needs of individual tech firms. Silicon Valley-based Udacity was started four years ago by Sebastian Thrun, a former Google executive who kickstarted Google’s self-driving car program as well as the Google Glass wearable computer. Now he’s focused on a new platform that links the needs of tech firms with the abilities of students. Udacity offers online courses in computer-related fields like Web development, software engineering, data science and a full master’s degree in computer science from Georgia Tech.

http://news.discovery.com/tech/apps/microdegrees-boost-tech-learning-150916.htm

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=13863

White House taps ASU to lead national STEM collaborative

by University Business

The White House today announced that Arizona State University will lead the National STEM Collaborative, a consortium of 19 institutions of higher education and postsecondary and non-profit partners committed to supporting girls and women of color in STEM fields. The announcement by the White House Council for Women and Girls reflects the national recognition earned by ASU’s Center for Gender Equity in Science and Technology (CGEST) and the Center’s Executive Director, Dr. Kimberly A. Scott, in encouraging greater access to STEM for women and girls of color. Among other achievements, Dr. Scott founded the nationally lauded CompuGirls program.

http://www.universitybusiness.com/news/white-house-taps-asu-lead-national-stem-collaborative

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=13852

3 Ways Mobile Technology Is Transforming Learning Spaces

By Dennis Pierce, THE Journal

From the outside, Barrow Elementary School in Athens, GA, looks like any traditional school building built in the 1920s. Inside, it looks completely different. Instead of desks arranged in tidy rows, the classrooms have tables that can be reconfigured in seconds by the students themselves, depending on what an assignment calls for. There are spaces where students can work together in teams, and comfortable chairs for individual study. Nooks tucked off hallways enable teachers and students to gather in small groups, and wireless access points allow them to use portable digital devices anywhere in the building. According to Philip Lanoue, the superintendent of Clarke County School District, where Barrow is located, “Our goal is that, when you walk into our buildings, you’re inspired to learn.”

http://thejournal.com/articles/2015/08/25/3-ways-mobile-technology-is-transforming-learning-spaces.aspx

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=13847

Global Online Language Learning Market to grow at a CAGR of 10.04% over the period 2014-2019

by WhaTech

Language learning during the past couple of years has gained momentum. Among numerous languages spoken worldwide, English has emerged as the most preferred language to learn, after the Chinese Mandarin. The Report “Global Online Language Learning Market” has been prepared on the basis of an in-depth Global Online Language Learning Market analysis with inputs from team of industry experts. It Includes Global Online Language Learning Market growth prospects along with market landscape in upcoming years. The report also covers discussion on the key vendors operating in the Global Online Language Learning Market Space.

https://www.whatech.com/market-research/consumer/93125-new-report-explores-the-global-online-language-learning-market-that-is-estimated-to-grow-at-a-cagr-of-10-04-from-2014-to-2019

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=13838