Foundation for Blended and Online Learning Report Examines Tech Solutions to Rural Ed Challenges

By Joshua Bolkan, THE Journal

Rural schools face a raft of challenges schools in more densely populated areas do not, including declining enrollments, high socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, high transportation costs, lack of computer and internet access in student homes, low teacher pay, high teacher turnover, fewer teachers and fewer courses available to students. A new report from the Foundation for Blended and Online Learning (FBOL) and the Evergreen Education Group looks at policies and programs in 15 states that use technology to help address some of those problems.

https://thejournal.com/articles/2018/03/27/foundation-for-blended-and-online-learning-report-examines-tech-solutions-to-rural-ed-challenges.aspx

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=38204

Apple Tries to Regain Education Market Share With iPad Changes

by Tripp Mickle, Wall Street Journal
Apple Inc. said it is updating its entry-level iPad with capabilities designed to appeal to students and new software for teachers, as the company tries to recharge sales of the tablet and shore up its dwindling share of the U.S. education market. The company Tuesday said its new 9.7-inch iPad includes a faster processor and works with the Apple Pencil stylus, which previously worked only with higher-end iPad Pro models. The entry-level iPad’s price remains at $329, the lowest-priced tablet available from the company. Schools, which receive discounts on pricing, can buy the device for $299.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/apple-updates-ipad-with-stylus-support-1522167400

 

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How Does Apple’s New iPad Stack Up to Chromebooks?

By Henry T. Casey, Lapotop
Apple has announced a new iPad targeted at the education market to challenge the Chromebook, which is starting to dominate classrooms. But are Apple Pencil support and AR apps enough to compete with the most popular laptops with Google’s OS?  While many expected Apple to launch this tablet with a new, lower price point, Apple kept this iPad at the same pricing the 2017 model had: $329 for consumers and $299 for schools. By comparison, the Asus Chromebook C202SA, most popular Chromebook on Amazon, which we like, is a more affordable $223.

https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/ipad-vs-chromebooks

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=38194

UMUC to Offer Free Online Coding Program for Students and Grads

By Rhea Kelly, Campus Technology

University of Maryland University College students and graduates can sharpen their coding skills at no cost thanks to a new partnership with technology talent development company Revature. Revature’s online training program is designed to provide a pathway to successful software development careers regardless of a student’s major or technical experience, according to a press release. “Through this partnership, students with non-technical academic backgrounds can expand their career options by mastering the latest software programs and computer platforms,” said Nikki Sandoval, associate vice president for alumni and career services at UMUC, in a statement.

https://campustechnology.com/articles/2017/03/29/umuc-to-offer-free-online-coding-program-for-students-and-grads.aspx

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Canadian Researchers Design Bendable Sensors for Next-Gen Touchscreen Devices, Wearables and More

By Sri Ravipati, Campus Technology

Imagine folding up a tablet and putting it in your pocket or purse after using it. This may be a possibility for the next generation of touchscreen devices, wearables and other items, thanks to a flexible and stretchable touch sensor being developed at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada.  A recently published paper in the journal Science Advances explained that the sensor works by using stretchable and ionically conductive hydrogel electrodes. A highly conductive gel is squeezed between layers of bendable silicone (created through a simple molding process to generate films). It projects an electric field above the sensor to detect different types of touch — even while it is bent.

https://campustechnology.com/articles/2017/03/29/canadian-researchers-design-bendable-sensors-for-next-gen-touchscreen-devices-wearables-and-more.aspx

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=25767

Virtual HS Adds Solar Energy Design, Cryptography Classes

By Dian Schaffhauser, THE Journal

High schoolers will have the chance to learn solar energy design, cryptography and chemistry in three new courses added to the offerings by the Virtual High School (VHS). VHS is a Massachusetts-based non-profit that offers online courses to students in any state and many countries for a fee. The new classes being offered are all part of the summer school program, intended for credit recovery and enrichment.

https://thejournal.com/articles/2017/03/29/virtual-hs-adds-solar-energy-design-cryptography-classes.aspx

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Survey Shows Schools Hitting Digital Hard

By Dian Schaffhauser, THE Journal

A recent survey found that half of school districts believe they’ve completed their 1-to-1 initiatives and the infrastructure required; and almost 4 in 10 (38 percent) are planning to or will definitely “modernize” in the next 12 to 24 months. More districts also have digital content and curriculum strategies in place this year compared to last year — up from 49 percent to 62 percent. Another 33 percent of districts have one under development. More than half of those existing strategies incorporate the use of open educational resources.

https://thejournal.com/articles/2016/03/31/survey-shows-schools-hitting-digital-hard.aspx

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Dremel Rolling Out Next-Generation PLA 3D Printer for Education

By David Nagel, THE Journal

Dremel has unveiled the Idea Builder 3D40, the latest update to its line of 3D printers. The new model will be available in two versions — a standard retail configuration and a bundle designed specifically for education. The single-extruder, PLA-based 3D40 adds several enhancements over previous Dremel 3D printers, including:

WiFi and Ethernet network printing (in addition to USB printing); A larger build plate (10″ x 6″, supporting a build height of 6.7″, with a layer thickness of as little as 0.1 mm); Active filament monitoring; Assisted print bed leveling; and A “maintenance-free” extruder, according to Dremel.

https://thejournal.com/articles/2016/03/31/dremel-rolling-out-next-generation-pla-3d-printer-for-education.aspx

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8 Skills for Future-Proofed Teachers

By Joe Barnhart, THE Journal

At the University of Montana — Western, we train teachers. So, a new model classroom is not a bad thing, is it? It seems a delightful idea akin to buying a beach-front condo. But the decision about which gadgets those soon-to-be teachers need to be familiar with is less important than the skills they’ll need to help their students thrive. The gadgets will, after all, be ever changing. Linked below are some of those skills any future teacher will need, whether their classroom is equipped with a whiteboard or a TV.

https://thejournal.com/articles/2016/03/30/8-skills-for-future-proofed-teachers.aspx

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=15495

The Power of Small Data

By Greg Thompson, THE Journal

In order to deliver personalized education, districts have to gather and share students’ statistics. Here’s how the strategic use of data can boost teaching and learning. When it seems like every week brings news of a massive theft of consumers’ private information, “data” is in danger of becoming a four-letter word. But if districts want to provide truly personalized education, gathering and sharing certain types of student data is absolutely necessary. According to Patricia Cotter, a veteran entrepreneur who recently completed her doctorate in work-based learning at the University of Pennsylvania, “Recent technologies like big data, the Internet of Things, mobile apps and improved storage have made it possible to acquire, combine, store, analyze, interpret and report findings during any phase of data management.”

http://thejournal.com/articles/2015/04/01/big-data-is-not-bad-data.aspx

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5 Ways To Use Word Clouds In The Classroom

By Siobhan Tumelty, Edudemic

The popularity of word clouds remains pretty constant in education, and it’s not difficult to see why. They’re a great way for students to distil and summarize information. They help students get to the crux of an issue, sorting through important ideas and concepts quickly in order to see what’s important. And “see” is the operative word here, because word clouds are certainly nice to look at. They speak fantastically to humans’ affinity for the visual, and are particularly useful for visual learners. However, it’s important to remember that the process of creating word clouds is just as important as the resulting resources. They’re fun to make and so do a great job engaging reluctant learners. Word clouds have tons of potential to be used in all types of ways.

http://www.edudemic.com/5-ways-use-word-cloud-generators-classroom/

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8 Tools that Make Citations a Breeze

By Sarah Muthler, Edudemic

“Be sure to cite your sources.” “Give credit where credit is due.” “Don’t plagiarize.” It’s possible all teachers have said these things to students. But what do those directives mean to students who, in all reality, haven’t had to do much citing? What does it even mean to cite your sources? The first step in the process is for students to understand the purpose and importance of citations. We found this great resource outlining that information from The Write Direction. The Internet offers an abundance of online citation tools, from the extremely easy to use, to ones that require more research on the part of the user. We’d suggest teaching students about a few tools and let them decide which one to use to help them successfully cite their research.

http://www.edudemic.com/6-tools-to-help-students-build-bibliographies/

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New Strategy would Drop College Textbook Costs to Zero

By CARRIE WELLS, McClatchy News

Unlike electronic versions of textbooks sold by publishers, open-source textbooks are made up of materials gathered from various sources and are not protected by copyright. They are often designed to be interactive, with links to source material and multimedia elements. The materials are licensed openly, so anyone with an Internet connection can access them. A pilot program, which the Maryland university system estimates is saving 1,100 students a combined $130,000, is the latest in a shift on the nation’s campuses toward digital learning. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the California State University system and the Washington State college system are among those that have built libraries of free online course materials in recent years. Still, open-source textbooks, which have been around for several years, face challenges and have not caught on broadly.

http://www.centerdigitaled.com/news/New-Strategy-would-Drop-College-Textbook-Costs-to-Zero-cde.html

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Throwing the book at the high costs of college textbooks

By Sarah Rohrs, Times-Herald

The high cost of textbooks is a problem, which adds to debt and other financial loads students must carry, according to the California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG). Meanwhile, as costs of textbooks continue to soar, a CALPIRG study at UC Davis showed that 65 percent of student have opted out of buying a college textbook due to high prices. Further, nearly half say textbook costs often dictate whether students take a course of not. Over the past decade textbook prices have increased by 82 percent, or at three times the rate of inflation, according to CALPIRG. The organization recommends federal government, states and individual campuses to support and invest in alternatives, including open textbooks. These are books written by faculty members but free online, free to download and affordable in print.

http://www.timesheraldonline.com/news/ci_25464834/throwing-book-at-high-costs-college-textbooks

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5 Ways To Do EdTech On A Shoestring Budget

By Dawn Casey-Rowe, Edudemic

The word “technology” often send shivers down the spine of the budget office, because it has the potential to be one of the biggest line items on the budget. It’s true, a school needs dollars for dongles to make it all work, but it doesn’t have to break the bank or get put on the back burner when competing choices include “leaky roof,” “broken heating system,” and a million other infrastructure expenses that pop up. Tech doesn’t have to be expensive. It doesn’t have to go by the wayside. Technology is increasingly becoming personal, mobile, and affordable. Most connected people rely on smartphones and tablets rather than desktops and laptops. My smartphone is more powerful than my first computer. Because of this, it’s possible to integrate technology on a shoestring budget.

http://www.edudemic.com/edtech-on-a-shoestring-budget/

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