If Edtech Efficacy Research Ignores Implementation, How Does It Help Improve Education?

By Kara McWilliams and Marcy Baughman, EdSurge

If we really want to understand how effective educational technology tools are for improving learner outcomes, we need to stop throwing the baby out with the bathwater. As instructors consider technology tools for their courses, they are increasingly looking for evidence of effectiveness. However, researchers evaluating the impact of these technology tools on learner outcomes often ignore a critical component: the user’s local educational setting and how they choose to use the product. This is where implementation science can help.

https://www.edsurge.com/news/2017-05-17-if-edtech-efficacy-research-ignores-implementation-how-does-it-help-improve-education

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=28079

Want to save your district on edtech spending?

BY LAURA ASCIONE, eSchool News

School districts are routinely being overcharged by at least $3 billion on ed-tech products, including hardware and software, each year–the equivalent of 54,000 first-year teacher salaries, according to a new study from the Technology for Education Consortium (TEC). The study on ed-tech purchasing reveals schools spend an estimated $13.2 billion on ed-tech products each year. This includes $4.9 billion on hardware such as tablets, laptops and desktops, along with $8.38 billion on instructional and non-instructional software and content. The authors note that a lack of price transparency makes it difficult for districts to find cost-efficient options to fund their technology initiatives, resulting in over-spending.

http://www.eschoolnews.com/2017/05/17/save-district-billion-ed-tech/

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=28064

Principal: Real school transformation starts with a magical triangle

BY TIM WEBB, eSchool News

On the academic side, we incorporated new approaches such as blended learning, problem-based learning, and personalized literacy solutions like myON. With those pieces in place, we believe that every student can achieve proficiency in reading and mathematics in every year of their educational experience. We also believed that by accurately assessing and monitoring our students’ growth with our Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Rubric, we could help each student achieve proficiency in the “soft skills” they need. To this end, we implemented The Leader in Me program to provide a common focus, language, and platform for change. We also focused our efforts on the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens to help our students grow in the SEL tier.

http://www.eschoolnews.com/2017/05/18/principal-middle-school-triangle/

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=28049

Are stackable credentials now a necessity?

By Tara García Mathewson, Education Dive

Holly Moore, executive dean of South Seattle College’s Georgetown Campus, believes stackable credentials are a necessity in higher education, both for the success of students who need flexibility and because they can help institutions maintain connections with alumni and improve outcomes. In a Q&A with The Evolllution, Moore says institutional leaders must develop stackable programs based on conversations with employers and create a feedback loop so improvements can be made based on actual outcomes.  Beyond ensuring programs meet federal financial aid requirements, Moore recommends working closely with student services and financial aid departments to secure institutional buy-in for stackable programs and necessary financial support for students who choose them.

http://www.educationdive.com/news/are-stackable-credentials-now-a-necessity/420144/

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=15966

12 Tips for Gamifying a Course

By Leila Meyer, Campus Technology

Digital games can be powerful learning tools, helping engage students and improve learning outcomes. And while adoption in higher education has been slow, a growing number of college and university instructors are gamifying their courses, either by incorporating existing games or developing custom ones. We asked three game-savvy educators and technologists for their advice on introducing gamification to the college or university classroom.

https://campustechnology.com/articles/2016/06/01/12-tips-for-gamifying-a-course.aspx

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=15963

Large-Scale Adoption of Open Educational Resources as an Institutional Differentiator

by Matthew Prineas, Evolllution

The past decade has seen a steady growth in the disruptive potential of open educational resources (OER)—free, high-quality, openly licensed educational materials in a variety of media—to enhance access, improve outcomes and lower costs for students. There is evidence that the movement has reached a tipping point. With major support from the Hewlett Foundation and other funders, the focus has shifted to large-scale—program-wide or even enterprise-wide—adoption of OER as the core or even sole curricular educational content. What is also clear is that fully realizing the potential of OER to achieve these outcomes will require a strategic approach, adequate institutional resources and a willingness to transform more fundamental aspects of the traditional model of delivering education.

http://evolllution.com/attracting-students/accessibility/large-scale-adoption-of-open-educational-resources-as-an-institutional-differentiator/

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=15960

Apps That Bring Science to Life

By KIT EATON, NY Times

Physics, chemistry, biology and lots of other sciences are behind almost every part of our technology-driven lives. But learning about those topics is often not easy, which is where tech steps in to help illuminate some of science’s fascinating secrets. One of my favorite science-based apps is The Elements in Action, which costs $4 on iOS. You will probably remember the periodic table, where all 118 known elements — like hydrogen and helium, and including weird radioactive elements like einsteinium — are set out in a grid. The elements are the basic building blocks of everything you see around you.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/28/technology/personaltech/video-feature-apps-that-bring-science-to-life.html

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from Educational Technology http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uis/edtech/~3/UtfP-KOy2dc/

The Wealthiest Female Techies In America

by Katia Savchuk, Forbes

More than 20% of America’s 50 wealthiest self-made women made their fortunes in the tech industry, both at old-school giants and newcomer startups. Interestingly, six of these 11 tech titans have done so not by founding companies but by building them. Being a hired hand – even a well-paid one – typically isn’t the route for making it big in Silicon Valley. But these executives got in early, jumping on board before a company exploded.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/katiasavchuk/2015/05/27/the-wealthiest-female-techies-in-america/

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from Educational Technology http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uis/edtech/~3/IW-auSUIM9c/

Computer scientist uses robots to draw students to STEM

by eSchool News

A University of Texas at Arlington computer scientist and his students are using assistive robots to spur the interest of local middle- and high-school students toward STEM. Gian-Luca Mariottini, an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, has launched the Technology Education Academy, a pilot 12-week, after-school program funded by the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation and in collaboration with the Arlington Public Library and Arlington school district. The Academy serves eighth- through 12th-graders from some AISD schools at “The Lab” at the East Arlington Branch Library.

http://www.eschoolnews.com/2015/05/27/students-stem-robots-092/

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from Educational Technology http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uis/edtech/~3/4R5YMiy8PTE/

Cheap and Free 2D and 3D Fabrication Tools

By Ellen Zimmerman, The Journal

3D Printer3D fabricators are an exciting new technology, but students can also get the experience of creating three-dimensional objects using two-dimensional cutters. Two-dimensional cutters are those nifty, artsy-craftsy tools that scrapbooking people use to create those really awesome, totally-time consuming, decorative photo albums we all would love but don’t have time to do ourselves! The cutter cuts out shapes with a moving blade using a motion like a printer. The blade is protected and retracts into a casing when it is not in use. It can also create fold lines that are not cut all of the way through. How do 2D cutters relate to education? They provide students with the opportunity to create 3D objects from flat, 2D media. Think of math classes where you have a “net” or “unfolded” shape such as a cube or a pyramid. These often appear on standardized tests, where students have to visualize what flat shapes will look like folded or what the folded version will look like flat.

http://thejournal.com/articles/2014/05/27/cheap-and-free-2d-and-3d-fabrication-tools.aspx

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from Educational Technology http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uis/edtech/~3/Ol2TtuNxHpc/

Leadership for the Mobile Classroom

By Dan Gordon, THE Journal

JD Ferries-Rowe is the Chief Information Officer and debate coach at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis. Here, he recounts how embracing BYOT has changed everything from how the school approaches PD to what classrooms look like. The joke we always tell is that when I came here 10 years ago, the T1 line was being used as a doorstop in the library and teachers had just started using e-mail. Since then our school has gone through a major renovation. Now we are a 1-to-1 BYOT school, the 30 percent of our kids who are on financial aid receive technology grants to buy their own technology and we’ve completely revamped how we do professional development. It’s a very different environment.

http://thejournal.com/articles/2014/05/28/leadership-for-the-mobile-classroom.aspx

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from Educational Technology http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uis/edtech/~3/uqc9pC1vcnc/

3 Ways of Getting Student Feedback to Improve Your Teaching

by Vicki Davis, Edutopia

Students are what we do. They are the center of our classroom, not us. However, as a teacher, I am the most impactful single person in the classroom. Honest feedback from our students will help me level up. I’ve been doing this for more than ten years. Sometimes I laugh, sometimes I cry — and sometimes I’m mortified. But I can honestly say that every single piece of feedback I’ve received has made me a better teacher. And great teachers are never afraid of having or inviting hard conversations. This is one of best practices that has helped me to be a better, more excited teacher every year.

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/student-feedback-improves-your-teaching-vicki-davis

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from Educational Technology http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uis/edtech/~3/DNCZ0sdMZCY/