Ethics and the IT Professional

by Melissa Woo, EDUCAUSE Review

As IT professionals, what should we do when we encounter potentially murky situations? Sometimes existing laws or institutional policy will guide ethical behavior; sometimes they won’t. What many people often do not understand is that what is legal is not always ethical. I believe it is our responsibility as IT professionals to act in an ethical manner in the performance of our work duties. To inadvertently do otherwise risks losing the trust of our students, faculty, staff, communities, and the general public. Without such trust I have difficulty imagining how IT professionals can continue to perform their duties effectively.

http://er.educause.edu/articles/2017/3/ethics-and-the-it-professional

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=25867

​How Can Educators Strike a Balance Between Blended and Social-Emotional Learning?

By Jen Curtis, EdSurge

While many of the present educators seemed to embrace blended learning as not only inevitable but necessary, an anxiety around technology—and a nagging suspicion that something is missing from the conversation—made itself known. For many in attendance, social-emotional learning (SEL), or students ability to recognize and manage emotions and build healthy relationships, seemed to be that missing piece. Throughout the conference, panelists and attendants spoke of the importance of “whole child” education and the need for schools to prioritize developing SEL skills. But while SEL skills were touted as critical to student success, the focus on academics—and quality digital resources—remained central. It raised the question: how exactly should schools balance blended and social-emotional learning in the 21st century classroom?

https://www.edsurge.com/news/2017-03-30-how-can-educators-strike-a-balance-between-blended-and-social-emotional-learning

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=25852

Data science and analytics skills critical for today’s workforce

Autumn A. Arnett, Education Dive

A new report from PwC is encouraging higher education to “build capacity and attract more students to” data science and analytics coursework, saying “every major industry” needs these capabilities to thrive. The report says hiring needs will shift to include a focus on these soft skills, such as data-driven decision-making, functional analysis, data engineering and data analysis. The report lays out four things higher education needs to do to meet this demand: leverage data analysis to create multidisciplinary hubs vs. discipline silos; promote data literacy for all students in all disciplines; strengthen ties with professional societies; and design courses and curricula to expand pathways for “a diverse analytical workforce.”

http://www.educationdive.com/news/report-data-science-and-analytics-skills-critical-for-todays-workforce/439444/

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=25837

Cap, gown and a Chromebook

by Crystal Dominguez, Temple Daily Telegram

Temple High School seniors Alexis Kruse and Tyler Sebek received Google Chromebooks from the school this year and will be taking them with them after graduation — the first class to do so. “They have been extremely helpful,” Kruse said. “Because as a senior I have had to write a lot of essays and so now I can do that in class. You are also more connected to all the teachers and it is easier to have access to the assignments that are given to you.” Sebek said he did not have a laptop when he started high school and is glad the school has given him one. “It was all books and papers and carting them around everywhere,” Sebek said. “Having the Chromebook is so much lighter to just carry your computer around and maybe a few sheets of paper. Back then you had to carry like two textbooks and all your journals.” Sebek said he is more organized with his school work because of the Chromebook and uses it to apply for scholarships during his downtime.

http://www.tdtnews.com/news/article_4b24fbd0-f933-11e5-9d63-b73ad167ae77.html

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=15514

Unique learning shifts in the classroom

BY REBECCA RAJAENDRAM, the Star

It’s study time and the 12-year-old has made himself comfortable in front of the laptop. No, he’s not looking over notes or doing an online assignment. Instead, his fingers move deftly over the keyboard as he maneuvers a silvery-white floating man around a junkyard. Nothing can break his concentration as he goes about collecting items in the game. His parents don’t seem to mind that he isn’t poring over a workbook when he clearly should be studying. That’s because he is playing a game called ChemCaper, that tackles chemistry “indirectly”. One of the game’s creators and Sri Emas International School founder Anne Tham says that gamification is “definitely the way to teach in the future”. She created ChemCaper with a team of teachers, 2D and 3D artists, and programmers.

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=15517

Online English skills tool upgrade to screen Victorian preps for learning difficulties

by ABC Australia

Education Minister James Merlino said literacy abilities like reading, writing, speaking and listening would all be assessed. Mr Merlino said it was important to stop children falling through the cracks. “It’s absolutely critical that we identify, engage and support students with additional needs at the very earliest important opportunity,” he said. “That’s when you can make the biggest difference and this impacts on not only on the student’s schooling, but on their whole life.” He said the upgrade would be made to the current online English screening program available to teachers and parents.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-03/online-english-screening-tool-to-test-victorian-preps/7295106

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=15512

Interactive learning: ASU Online to pilot environmental science games

by Carrie Lingenfelter, Yuma News Now

Arizona State University is piloting a series of environmental science games at ASU Online. Within each of the five story-based games, students will take on several leadership roles, with increasing responsibility, to help a community address challenging environmental and sustainability issues. Tahnja Wilson, senior manager for EdPlus at ASU, will guide the project. Wilson has taught online for more than 10 years. Her instructional design interests include gaming best practices and student/instructor engagement.

http://www.yumanewsnow.com/index.php/news/arizona-news/688-interactive-learning-asu-online-to-pilot-environmental-science-games

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from Educational Technology http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uis/edtech/~3/1Qb3APe9R14/

Engaging Students with a Mobile App

by Joe Hoff, EDUCAUSE Review

Engaging first-year students in positive experiences can set the tone for the remainder of their educational careers. A major element of engagement is the social side — meeting other students virtually, learning about campus before the first day of classes, keeping up on events, communicating on specific topics, and asking questions quickly and conveniently. A mobile app that facilitates social engagement while letting administrators measure levels of use and track emotional trends and potential problems among the student body serves both communities.

http://www.educause.edu/ero/article/engaging-students-mobile-app

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from Educational Technology http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uis/edtech/~3/Dk2XLBeTfRE/

Online Test-Takers Feel Anti-Cheating Software’s Uneasy Glare

By NATASHA SINGER, NY Times

As universities and colleges around the country expand their online course offerings, many administrators are introducing new technologies to deter cheating. The oversight, administrators say, is crucial to demonstrating the legitimacy of an online degree to students and their prospective employers. Some schools use software that prevents students from opening apps or web browsers during online exams. Others employ services with live exam proctors who monitor students remotely over webcams. But the rise of Proctortrack and other automated student analysis services like it have raised questions about where to draw the line, and whether the new systems are fair and accurate. The University of North Texas Health Science Center, for instance, is partway through a two-year pilot test of Proctortrack involving the 160 students enrolled in its online public health master’s degree program.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/06/technology/online-test-takers-feel-anti-cheating-softwares-uneasy-glare.html

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What Does Learning Look Like? A Look At Physical And Digital Spaces

By Tom Daccord, Edudemic

I would like you to concentrate on the first image that comes to mind. Ready? Here is the question: What does learning look like? Did you picture a classroom? Was there a teacher? What were students doing? Were they working quietly and individually? Or were they noisily collaborating? Were they sitting passively and listening? Or were they actively constructing something? When I pose this question to groups of educators, I’m struck by the diversity of learning visions. For some, there is no teacher with the students, and the students are learning entirely on their own. For others, there is not even a classroom and students are helping students. In a world of ubiquitous mobile devices, where we can connect with information and people anywhere and any time, limiting student learning to a traditional classroom environment seems increasingly shortsighted.

http://www.edudemic.com/learning-look-like-look-physical-digital-spaces/

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from Educational Technology http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uis/edtech/~3/vf_AcXGi22Y/

10 Things To Know About Education Around The World

By Katie Lepi, Edudemic

Education is a concern to most people around the globe. Whether you’re pursuing your own education, worrying about the education of your child, or educating others, education really is a pretty universal concern. Those concerns, however, vary widely depending on where you are in the world and the background you come from. The last thirty years or so have seen great increases in educational opportunities, participation in education, and the quality of education. But what are the numbers really looking like? Where has the most improvement happened? Or the least improvement? What about the gender gap? The handy infographic linked below (From CourseHero) takes a look at these questions and more. Keep reading to learn more.

http://www.edudemic.com/education-around-the-world/

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

How To Use Google Voice In Education

By Jen Roberts, Edudemic

Education is about communication, but few educators are willing to hand out their personal mobile number. With Google Voice you don’t have to. When you go to Google.com/voice you can set up a new number with Google. It will ask you for a forwarding number. This must be an actual landline or mobile number in the US. (You can turn off the forwarding once you are set up.) With Google voice, incoming calls can forward to multiple numbers; say ring your home phone and mobile phone at the same time. Or you can turn off the forwarding and have all your calls go to Google Voice. All voicemails get transcribed and sent to your Gmail address. Text messages also go to your Gmail.

http://www.edudemic.com/google-voice-in-education/

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