Smartwatches Deemed Least Valuable Technology in the Classroom

by Rhea Kelly, Campus Technology

Smartwatches may be one of the hottest gadgets in the consumer market — making up nearly a third of all wearables sales this year — but the climate in the classroom is noticeably cooler for the wrist-worn devices. In our 2017 Teaching with Technology Survey, smartwatches came in dead last in the list of technologies faculty consider essential or valuable for teaching and learning. Just 9 percent of faculty called the devices “valuable” (an increase from 5 percent in 2016), and not a one deemed them “essential.” What’s more, 9 percent of respondents considered smartwatches “detrimental.”

https://campustechnology.com/articles/2017/09/13/smartwatches-deemed-least-valuable-technology-in-the-classroom.aspx

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=32169

What’s now and next in analytics, AI, and automation

by McKinsey Global Institute Executive Briefing

Innovations in digitization, analytics, artificial intelligence, and automation are creating performance and productivity opportunities for business and the economy, even as they reshape employment and the future of work. Rapid technological advances in digitization and data and analytics have been reshaping the business landscape, supercharging performance, and enabling the emergence of new business innovations and new forms of competition. At the same time, the technology itself continues to evolve, bringing new waves of advances in robotics, analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI), and especially machine learning. Together they amount to a step change in technical capabilities that could have profound implications for business, for the economy, and more broadly, for society.

http://www.mckinsey.com/global-themes/digital-disruption/whats-now-and-next-in-analytics-ai-and-automation

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=28645

LSC-O offers hybrid classes

by the Orange Leader

In an effort to provide learning opportunities to the busiest people, Lamar State College – Orange (LSC-O) is reaching out to another category of non-traditional students. Starting in the Fall 2017 semester, students have the chance to complete an Associate’s degree program by attending hybrid classes only one day a week. Cleverly dubbed ‘One day a Week for a Two-Year Degree’, the courses are for anyone with a demanding schedule but still desires to enhance their skills and earn a degree.

http://www.orangeleader.com/2017/05/20/lsc-o-offers-hybrid-classes/

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=28252

Home-based K-12 schools on the rise in Washington

by Sheila Hagar, Union Bulletin

In 30 minutes, teacher Erika Montgomery has wrapped up the weekly “live lesson” over the computer connection. Preston, 7, leaves his seat at the kitchen counter in the family’s home in Walla Walla to find a spot on one of several couches in the living room. Preston is a first-grader enrolled in Washington Connections Academy online public school. The no-tuition, virtual school was approved in Washington state for grades K-12 in 2016 and currently serves grades K-10; grades 11 and 12 will be added later. The parent organization, for-profit Connections Education, was founded in Baltimore in 2001. The program is currently available in 28 states.

http://www.union-bulletin.com/news/education/home-based-k–schools-on-the-rise-in-washington/article_a0815962-32de-11e7-a376-3381c51b2868.html

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=27684

Indiana U Expands Active Learning Initiative

By Rhea Kelly, Campus Technology

Indiana University’s Mosaic Active Learning Initiative, a program launched in fall 2015 that supports faculty teaching, research and classroom design for active learning environments, has expanded to five of the institution’s regional campus: IU East, IU Kokomo, IU Northwest, IU South Bend and IU Southeast. The move brings 14 new Mosaic Faculty Fellows into the program. Fellows are “faculty who, over the course of an academic year, teach in Mosaic classrooms, share approaches to active and collaborative learning, engage in research related to active learning classrooms, and contribute to the development of learning spaces across IU,” according to a university announcement.

https://campustechnology.com/articles/2017/05/03/indiana-u-expands-active-learning-initiative.aspx

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=27461

Proceed Cautiously With Online School

by the Intelligencer Editorial

West Virginia students in grades 6-12 soon may be able to get at least some of their educations without leaving the comfort of home. A new state law permits public school systems to offer “virtual schools” online. They can begin July 1. Students in online classes also may participate in traditional classroom learning, as well as schools’ extracurricular activities. It requires little imagination to understand the boon that may be for many Mountain State students and their families. But with the wonderful opportunity goes an enormous responsibility — ensuring online students are not shortchanged in their educations.

http://www.theintelligencer.net/opinion/editorials/2017/04/proceed-cautiously-with-online-school/

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=27166

AP English literature class invokes the Bard to win online contest

by Boothbay Register

Boothbay Region High School students in Mark Gorey’s AP English Literature class put together a hilarious YouTube video that earned them first place in their division in a contest on the online website, Meridian Stories. Their entry fell under the Vocabulary Vine Challenge category. Gorey’s students were tasked with creating a one-minute video made up of six-second clips, or “vines” created to help students expand their vocabulary. They chose words from William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” Student actor Jacob Leonard, representing the Bard, was shown in costume cavorting through a series of modern-day scenes sharing his vast knowledge of seldom used or obscure words with 21st century actors.

http://www.boothbayregister.com/article/ap-english-literature-class-invokes-bard-win-online-contest/85344

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=26981

New Google Earth Has Exciting Features for Teachers

By Richard Chang, Campus Technology

Google has recently released a brand new version of Google Earth for both Chrome and Android. This new version has come with a slew of nifty features teachers can use for educational purposes with students in class. Linked below is a quick overview of the most fascinating features.

https://campustechnology.com/articles/2017/04/25/new-google-earth-has-exciting-features-for-teachers.aspx

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=26916

Using Simulations to Create Virtual Learning Experiences

by Matthew Lynch, Tech Edvocate

There are many types of simulations that can help instruct children, teens, and college students. For example, there are flight simulators that can be used to help highlight different areas, such as the historic flight of Amelia Earhart across the Atlantic Ocean and various Physics concepts. Simulations do not have to be expensive. With a little research, you are likely to find a free or low-cost online simulation that will help students better understand concepts and ideas. For example, you can teach about the stock market, economics, and business management on SimCEO. There are interview simulators to help students get practice when applying for a job. There are even simulations that are designed to help students sympathize with someone being bullied and help to resolve the problem in a positive way.

http://www.thetechedvocate.org/using-simulations-create-virtual-learning-experiences/

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=26136