4 critical issues for competency-based education programs

BY LAURA ASCIONE, eSchool News

As K-12 competency-based education programs become more widespread, educators and policymakers would do well to focus on four key issues that can make or break high-quality programs, according to a new report. The CompetencyWorks report, Quality and Equity by Design: Charting the Course for the Next Phase of Competency-Based Education, calls for creating competency-based systems in which the culture, structure, policies, and instructional practices fully support each and every student in their journey toward preparation for college, career, and life.

4 critical issues for competency-based education programs

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=35809

The looming student loan default crisis is worse than we thought

by Judith Scott-Clayton, Brookings
This report analyzes new data on student debt and repayment, released by the U.S. Department of Education in October 2017. Previously available data have been limited to borrowers only, follow students for a relatively short period (3-5 years) after entering repayment, and had only limited information on student characteristics and experiences. The new data allow for the most comprehensive assessment to date of student debt and default from the moment students first enter college, to when they are repaying loans up to 20 years later, for two cohorts of first-time entrants (in 1995-96 and 2003-04). This report provides a broader perspective on student debt and default that considers all college entrants rather than just borrowers, provides substantially longer follow-up, and enables a more detailed analysis of trends over time and heterogeneity across subgroups than previously possible.

https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/scott-clayton-report.pdf

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=35794

Why neuroscience should drive personalized learning

by Matthew Lynch, Tech Edvocate

While personalized learning is a growing market, we have long looked to how the mind works to inform education. The biggest problem with this practice has been the propagation of myths and misinformation. However, new research and focus on how the mind actually works can dispel the false ideas which hinder the progress of personalized education. What does this mean for individual learning? Teachers and parents can help students succeed through new technology and methods which are supported by science. Applying verified ideas to personalized education can help students advance, and teachers make a real impact. For these dreams to become a reality, we must embrace neuroscience research. Here are the most significant reasons why neuroscience is necessary to develop personalized learning.

http://www.thetechedvocate.org/why-neuroscience-should-drive-personalized-learning/

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=35784

More South Dakota students starting college early

by Megan Raposa, Argus Leader

South Dakota students aren’t waiting for graduation to start college. The number of high school students taking classes through state universities more than tripled since 2014. The surge is helping state universities pad what otherwise would be declining enrollment numbers. If the rapid growth continues, the program’s success could threaten its sustainability. State leaders are happy to see the dual-credit program succeeding after a multi-million dollar investment. South Dakota started the program in 2014, allowing high school students to take discounted college courses for both high school and college credit. It’s aimed at making college more affordable. Having high school students participating in college classes benefits the instructors too, said Michael Card, associate provost and dean of distance education at USD. “By adding high school students to our existing sections of courses,” Card said. “We get a degree of enthusiasm in an online course that you ordinarily wouldn’t get.”

http://www.argusleader.com/story/news/education/2017/01/07/more-south-dakota-students-starting-college-early/96149022/

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=22524

10 MUST-READ BOOKS ABOUT EDTECH

BY MATTHEW LYNCH, Techh Edvocate

As an educator, you already know the importance of reading. When it comes to technology, there is a constant flow of new books and publications, but many of them only capture a small part of what you need to know, and they become outdated far too quickly. Getting your hands on an edtech book is really simple, but finding one that will help you can be an incredibly time-consuming endeavor. Whether you want to see how technology can help (or harm) in the classroom, see what tools are available, understand how students today view technology or see how technology has affected education in the past (and how it is likely to affect education in the future), there is a book that can help. This list of 10 books includes some of the most insightful and inspiring details to help you determine the right path forward for your students or school. They are listed in no particular order.

http://www.thetechedvocate.org/10-must-read-books-about-edtech/

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=22500

WHAT THE HECK IS A MAKERSPACE?

BY MATTHEW LYNCH, Tech Edvocate

Makerspaces are popping up across the nation, but a startling number of educators are unfamiliar with the premise. So, what the heck is a Makerspace? It’s a doorway to a new learning paradigm. It’s designed to help teachers and students of all ages engage in an exploration of various STEAM subjects.

http://www.thetechedvocate.org/what-the-heck-is-a-makerspace/

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=22512

What’s Hot, What’s Not in 2016

By Greg Thompson, THE Journal

Our expert panelists weigh in on education technology to give us their verdict on which approaches to tech-enabled learning will have a major impact, which ones are stagnating and which ones might be better forgotten entirely. The four panelists in THE Journal’s annual end-of-year survey hit full consensus on just two of 11 topics — giving the “hot” label unanimously to “blended learning” and “student data privacy concerns.” Meanwhile, e-portfolios garnered the least amount of enthusiasm, with two panelists opting for “losing steam” and two for “lukewarm.” Other topics formed a mixed bag, with the “lukewarm” rating suggesting that many technologies/techniques are holding steady, if not exactly lighting the education world on fire.

https://campustechnology.com/articles/2016/01/14/4-trends-that-will-recharge-higher-ed-it-in-2016.aspx

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=14834

Rethink How You Teach Romeo and Juliet with These 4 Apps

By Graphite by Common Sense Media, THE Journal

A look at three apps and an iBook that aim to take the stress out of The Bard’s iambs and bring a measure of accessibility to his meter. Graphite is a free service for teachers from Common Sense Media that helps educators find the best digital learning tools by presenting them with independent ratings and reviews based on rigorous rubric that evaluates learning potential.

https://thejournal.com/articles/2016/01/11/rethink-how-you-teach-romeo-and-juliet-with-these-4-apps.aspx

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=14837

Oswego High Schools Students May be Able to Take Online P.E. Classes

by Jared Schaefer, WSPY News

At a special meeting Tuesday night, the Oswego District 308 Board of Education approved a state waiver submission application to the Illinois State Board of Education to give eleventh and twelfth grade students at the two Oswego High Schools the opportunity to take physical education courses online. The submission was approved by a 4-0 vote. Board members Mike McDowell, Greg O’Neil and Jared Ploger were absent from the meeting. Attorney Laura Weizeorick told the board that this waiver is a way to better serve certain students with the alternative physical education format.

http://www.wspynews.com/news/local/oswego-high-schools-students-may-be-able-to-take-online/article_444c15ac-bade-11e5-adde-c7da30e40d7f.html

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=14832

Growth in Flipped Learning

by eLearning Marketplace

In last couple of years we have seen significant growth in the number of teachers who are using the flipped model of blended learning. This shouldn’t really be a surprise as the majority of teachers using this model give very positive feedback about the impact on learners and results. What is interesting though is the fact that the flipped learning model is not generally driven by leaders of schools, colleges or businesses, but initiated by the teachers themselves. In the infographic below 93% of the 2,358 teachers surveyed said they started the flipped model using their own initiative. This contradicts what we would always advise that learning and development strategy driven by leaders is the most effective way of achieving change within an organisation. In the case of the flipped model it appears that teachers themselves are driving the change.

http://www.elearningmarketplace.co.uk/growth-in-flipped-blended-learning/

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from Educational Technology http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uis/edtech/~3/tb15IDbOEys/

Donor seeks to offer ‘freshman year for free’ through online college courses

by Nick Anderson, Washington Post

A New York philanthropist announced a $1 million donation Wednesday that aims to make that possible through an online venture overseen by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University. Steven B. Klinsky’s idea is for students to take foundational courses through the online venture edX that would prepare them for College Board examinations in various subjects. Those who pass enough Advanced Placement or College-Level Examination Program tests conceivably would be able to enter college as sophomores. That would cut the price of a bachelor’s degree by a quarter. Klinsky’s vision — “freshman year for free” — echoes in spirit what Obama proposed last week. The president wants Congress to approve $60 billion over the next decade for a partnership with states that would eliminate community college tuition for “responsible students” who get adequate grades and make academic progress.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/donor-seeks-to-offer-freshman-year-for-free-through-online-college-courses/2015/01/14/e4599b38-9c11-11e4-a7ee-526210d665b4_story.html

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from Educational Technology http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uis/edtech/~3/MoAp0USWD_Q/

Favorite Feedback: Fact and Fiction

by Turnitin

A very interesting infographic, Exploring the Disconnect between Students and Educators, has been produced by Turnitin. Educators work hard to give their students thoughtful feedback on their work. But how helpful do students find that feedback? The infographic below explores the disconnect between their views, as shown in our study of over 2,000 students and educators (September 2014).

http://www.turnitin.com/assets/en_us/media/favorite-feedback/

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from Educational Technology http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uis/edtech/~3/bVdq-B4hQns/

11 Note-Taking Tips For The Digital Classroom

By Katie Lepi, Edudemic

With less books, paper, and pencils and more laptops, smartphones, and tablets gracing our classrooms these days, it would be logical to say that the nature of note-taking in class has changed, too. Especially with digital tools such as Evernote, writing things down on paper seems less likely to be the #1 way of taking notes. That said, does taking notes really help? Does the physical act of writing something down help you to remember it? What is the most effective way to take notes? How does all of this play into a more digitally based classroom? The handy infographic linked below takes a look at these questions and more.

http://www.edudemic.com/digital-classroom-note-taking/

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from Educational Technology http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uis/edtech/~3/RJ7H7gTDbDY/

What Are Librarians In The Digital Age?

By Katie Lepi, Edudemic

With a Kindle in one hand, a MacBook Air in the other, and an iPhone shoved in my pocket, I have nearly any information I could possibly want at my fingertips. Needless to say, I visit libraries much less often than I used to. With digitized archives, web based content, and e-books, the role of libraries and librarians has certainly changed over the years. That said, all of these digital resources have not made librarians obsolete. So what is the role of the librarian in the digital age? Take a gander at the handy infographic linked below to find out!

http://www.edudemic.com/librarian-digital-age/

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from Educational Technology http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uis/edtech/~3/J2Zl-Sew8do/

More teens using technology to study for, take tests

by Mary Stegmeir, The Des Moines Register

Put the pencils down. In a growing number of Iowa’s classrooms, teens are going online to study for — and even take — semester exams. The change reflects an increasing use of technology in classrooms. Want students to study for and ultimately ace their finals? Then meet them in the digital land where they live, educators say. “It’s our job as teachers to find the best ways to get information to the kids,” said Graham Lundt, a Gilbert High School health teacher, who provides online study guides and tests. “For my students, this works.”

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/01/13/iowa-teens-technology-classrooms-testing/4467785/

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