5 Ways to Use Digital Badges in the Classroom

by Matthew Lynch, Tech Edvocate

Similarly, digital badges award students for their achievements, skills, or other positive qualities. It might seem like a digital image of a badge won’t make much difference. But believe it or not, digital badges have the power to transform the way your students view learning and assessment.  How?  Here are five ways to use digital badges in your classroom:

http://www.thetechedvocate.org/5-ways-to-use-digital-badges-in-the-classroom/

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=37790

TECH COMPANIES TRY TO RETRAIN THE WORKERS THEY’RE DISPLACING

by Sandra Upson, Wired

Coursera CEO Jeff Maggioncalda says the platform had not previously hosted anything similar; more typical fare includes programming, business and English language classes (along with the popular-among-Canadians Mountains 101). But Maggioncalda and his staff had seen the hunger for onramps to tech careers in the reviews visitors had given earlier courses. “People are saying, I know the jobs are going to be in computers and technology, and it’s great to tell me I should get those jobs. But I don’t know how to do that,” he says. “You tell me how I’m supposed to do that with a family and a mortgage.”

https://www.wired.com/story/tech-companies-try-to-retrain-the-workers-theyre-displacing/

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=37782

Using Amazon Alexa in the Classroom

by Matthew Lynch, Tech Edvocate

Voice-controlled devices are here to stay, and it is time for you to embrace this technology in the classroom. With Amazon Alexa working through the inexpensive Echo Dot using Wi-Fi, you can transform your classroom into an interactive learning space where students are using voice-controlled searches in the classroom the same way they will in their future homes and vehicles. Plus, the kids love it! Here are some of the reasons why teachers are using Amazon Alexa in the classroom and loving it:

http://www.thetechedvocate.org/using-amazon-alexa-classroom/

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=37774

Distance learning technology offers a bright future for higher ed capacity

by Jarrett Carter, Education Dive

Duke University and San Jose State University are two institutions which have broadened research and teaching capacity through distance communication technology. Video conferencing has allowed both schools to expose students to professional development opportunities and outreach to domestic and international partner institutions. Michigan State University takes the distance learning model to new heights with robotic training tools which accompany long-distance instruction and research work. In tandem with online learning platforms like MOOCs, schools like Harvard University are expanding content delivery to international audiences with real-time capacity to share and utilize information exposed through the tools.

http://www.educationdive.com/news/distance-learning-technology-offers-a-bright-future-for-higher-ed-capacity/438352/

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=25172

This laptop-bricking USB stick just got even more dangerous

by Zack Whittaker, ZD Net

Remember that USB stick that would destroy almost anything in its path, from laptops, photo booths, kiosks, to even cars? Now there’s a new version, and it’s even more dangerous than before. The makers of the USB Kill stick have created a more powerful version with a higher voltage and amp output, and a three-times faster pulse rate of up to 12 times a second. And, with microUSB, USB-C, and Lightning adapters, the USB Kill claims to be able to kill iPhones, iPads, and other devices, like phones, tablets, and digital cameras. USB Kill also comes in an “anonymous” model, which looks like an ordinary black USB stick — unlike the regular version that includes branding. This is another reason why you shouldn’t plug in USB sticks you find on the street. USB Kill still costs €49.95, or about $53 at the time of writing.

http://www.zdnet.com/article/this-weaponized-usb-stick-gets-even-more-dangerous/

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=25157

Province investing in new, innovative ways to teach and learn with technology

by Ontario

Ontario is supporting colleges and universities across the province in developing new and innovative approaches to online and technology-enabled learning that best meets the needs of Ontario students. This year, 45 recipients from universities and colleges across Ontario will receive a broad range of research and innovation grants through eCampusOntario to explore technology-enabled learning and highlight best practices in student engagement. Examples of funded projects include:

Studying the use of gaming as a teaching method in science-based fields.

Evaluating the impact of virtual simulations as a means to prepare nursing students for clinical practice, compared to more traditional approaches.

Creating an online space for Indigenous students to virtually gather, record and engage in stories from local Elders.

http://eriemedia.ca/ontario-boosting-digital-online-learning-students/

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=25142

As tax day looms, online class offers help making good financial choices

By Public Affairs, UC Berkeley

Nothing says “time to pay attention to your personal finances” better than April 15, the annual tax deadline in the United States. Coincidentally, the big day also is the jumping off point for a new online course, “How to Save Money: Making Smart Financial Decisions.” The class that is free and open to the public. Terrance Odean, the Rudd Family Foundation Professor of Finance at the Berkeley Haas School of Business and an authority on investors’ behavior, is leading the course, which is designed to help people manage their money and fret less about personal finances.

https://news.berkeley.edu/2016/03/23/as-tax-day-looms-consider-a-class-on-making-good-financial-choices/

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=15388

New Coursera Core CS Specialization

by iProgrammer

What Coursera used to offer as free courses it now offers as a paid for Specialization. The latest across our radar is Data Structures and Algorithms and the first course in the series has just started. The Data Structures and Algorithms Specialization, which is at Intermediate level so you need some programming experience before you join it, comes from UC San Diego and Higher School of Economics (HSE), one of Russia’s top research universities and has Yandex and Computer Science Center as its industry partners.

http://www.i-programmer.info/news/150-training-a-education/9557-new-coursera-core-cs-specialization.html

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=15385

Harvard offers online business fundamentals course to incoming students

by National Jurist

Incoming Harvard law students are learning about business concepts, thanks to an online program launched by the Harvard Business School. HBX Credential of Readiness (CORe) teaches business fundamentals and is available to incoming Harvard law students for $300. Last year, 89 percent of students said the program increased their confidence in discussing business topics. “I thoroughly enjoyed my HBX CORe experience and found that a fresh background knowledge in business analytics and financial accounting helped me to better understand the decision-making factors managers often consider in domestic and international trade,” said Abraham Williamson, a first-year student at Harvard Law School and a participant in the pilot offering of CORe last summer.

http://www.nationaljurist.com/content/harvard-offers-business-fundamentals-course-incoming-students

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=15382

New Free Guide Offers Expert Advice for Achieving Competency-Based Ed

By Dian Schaffhauser, THE Journal

A new report from two organizations that focus on converting schools and districts to the use of blended learning and the competency model lays out a roadmap to help school leaders begin the transformation. “Maximizing Competency Education and Blended Learning: Insights from Experts” from CompetencyWorks and the International Association of K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL), culls advice from 23 experts who attended a workshop specifically to discuss “how to accelerate the transformation of districts and schools to personalized, competency-based, blended learning models.”

http://thejournal.com/articles/2015/03/19/new-free-guide-offers-expert-advice-for-achieving-competency-based-ed.aspx

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

Building University-Wide IT Accessibility

by David Raths, Campus Technology

While many higher ed institutions focus mostly on Web accessibility or rely on a disability resources center to serve students in need, Temple University has ramped up its accessibility efforts across the board. Here’s how.

http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/03/18/building-university-wide-it-accessibility.aspx

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from Educational Technology http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uis/edtech/~3/pWthyPCZM8k/

The Secret Is the Blend

By Tanya Joosten, Inside Higher Ed

Blended learning allows us to better meet the needs of students. It provides them flexibility in their lives since they don’t have to come to campus as much through instructors’ effective use of technology to facilitate learning activities appropriate for the online medium. For instance, one can use the online environment to deliver content rather than f2f lecture, which is partly why flipped instruction attracted new attention. Most importantly, many would claim that blended learning is more effective than f2f or online because you have the luxury of both worlds, f2f and online. Hence, we hear blended learning is the “best of best worlds” quite often around our circles. Research has documented blended as the more effective mode of delivery (e.g., Means,Toyama, Murphy, Bakia, & Jones, 2009). Furthermore, for other instructors, programs, and institutions who are reluctant to make the move online or have no need to meet the needs of students at a distance but feel the train of the future is leaving the station without them; blended instruction feels like the safe alternative that is in-line with their campus culture.

https://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/higher-ed-beta/secret-blend

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from Educational Technology http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uis/edtech/~3/v5Z0VZXCl54/

MOOC class far exceeding U Iowa hopes

by Sara Agnew, Iowa City Press-Citizen

When organizers launched the University of Iowa’s first Massive Open Online Course — better known as a MOOC — they figured participation would rise initially and then level out. That hasn’t been the case. Now in its second-to-the-last week, participation in Every Atom: Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself” continues to rise, reaching more than 2,100 people at last count. The six-week course offered through UI’s International Writing Program has used video lectures, live breakout sessions and moderated online discussions to guide participants from across the globe through Whitman’s epic poem. “We had hoped for great conversation, but it has been extraordinarily exciting to see how deeply engaged people are and posting so many different perspectives,” said Susannah Shive, IWP’s distance learning coordinator.

http://www.press-citizen.com/article/20140318/NEWS01/303180011/MOOC-class-far-exceeding-UI-hopes?nclick_check=1

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

Five Up-And-Coming Tech Trends For Entrepreneurs

By Robert Sofia, Forbes

Business is evolving online with breakneck speed. Enterprising and forward-thinking entrepreneurs will follow the hottest trends and find ways to capitalize on them. Every great tech company in existence today is there because someone saw an opportunity and capitalized on it, and the future promises to bring many more great companies to fruition. Whether you’re interested in building an online empire yourself, or in investing in progressive companies, here are five trends that offer limitless potential.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2014/03/17/five-up-and-coming-tech-trends-for-entrepreneurs/

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from Educational Technology http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uis/edtech/~3/eSCy1cMVug8/