From virtual reality to online libraries, how technology is revolutionizing education in GR

BY MATTHEW RUSSELL, Rapid Growth

From virtual online classrooms built by such companies as Microsoft and Switch to the massive open online courses from providers like edX, Coursera and Udemy, and even distance learning programs facilitated by our own brick-and-mortar universities, the walls of modern classrooms are often anything but metaphor. While the blackboard may remain the same–although it comes in white and clear versions now, too–the substance of technology education has been significantly redesigned by the capabilities of the technology being used to educate. With updated equipment, new software and access to a library of online resources, the Grand Rapids Public Schools district is looking forward to added gains in learning this year.

http://www.rapidgrowthmedia.com/features/031617-technology-in-education.aspx

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=25297

On the Recognition of Quality Online Course Design in Promotion and Tenure

by Susan Bussmann, et al; OJDLA

Developing a quality online course is a significant commitment in time and effort and frequently requires learning new skills and pedagogical methods. Increasingly, faculty are expected to make this commitment, yet it may not be valued in their promotion and tenure process. This study sought to determine to what extent developing a “quality” online course (one that has been reviewed to a set of standards) receives credit in the promotion and tenure (P&T) process for all ranks. A survey across multiple disciplines at 19 western universities found that only 16 percent of the departments that completed the survey specifically include the development of a quality online course in their promotion and tenure documentation. Of the 19 institutions (including New Mexico State University), 15 were peers of New Mexico State University (NMSU), with three additional non-peer Western region IHEs being invited to take an online survey. Survey takers were given the option to volunteer for a more in-depth follow-up phone interview.

https://www.westga.edu/~distance/ojdla/spring201/bussmann_johnson%20_oliver_forsythe_grandjean_lebsock_luster201.html

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=25282

Tips for using iPads in the classroom

by Matthew Lynch, tech Edvocate

Open Colleges states that 81% of U.S teachers think that tablets can enrich the educational experience and that students believe so too. iPads can be very solitary and as colorful as the online world may be, classrooms need to be just as decorated. The displaying of art, achievements, and inspiration is particularly important in younger grades as it creates a space that is conducive to learning and pride. Technology brings with it exciting uses, but without preparation and realistic expectations, it also can fail in the most organized classroom. Educators need to have a reason to use an iPad and in turn, understand the new problems and procedures that come with it. Using an iPad may be a great education tool, but it needs to be milked for all it is worth if it is to make a difference in the classroom.

http://www.thetechedvocate.org/tips-for-using-ipads-in-the-classroom/

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=25267

Funding Technology: E-rate Reboot Removes Broadband Hurdles

By Dian Schaffhauser, THE Journal

It has been more than a year since the FCC modernized E-rate. Here’s how the latest developments are affecting schools. According to the latest “State of the States” report from Education Superhighway, 77 percent of districts are meeting the FCC’s minimum Internet goal of 100 Kbps per student. That’s more than double the number of districts meeting the same goal in 2013. However, if you’re in one of the 23 percent of school systems still not meeting even the minimum, the vision of delivering personalized digital learning opportunities to students may have the composition of a mirage — always on the horizon and never within your grasp.

https://thejournal.com/articles/2016/03/24/funding-technology-erate-reboot-removes-broadband-hurdles.aspx

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=15411

Texas Extends Use of Adaptive Math Program

By Joshua Bolkan, THE Journal

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has extended an agreement with a software provider to make a digital math resource available to all public and open-enrollment charter school students across the state through December of 2017. The agency chose to extend state-wide access of Think Through Learning’s Think Through Math (TTM) to five years following an existing relationship going back three years. Available to students in grade 3 math through algebra, Think Through Math is a Web-based system featuring adaptive instruction, a motivation system and access to state certified math teachers for students in need of tutoring. Since its original adoption in202, students at 5,700 schools and 89 percent of the state’s public schools have used the program.

https://thejournal.com/articles/2016/03/24/texas-extends-use-of-adaptive-math-program.aspx

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=15408

Go Big or Go Small: The Future of AV Displays

by Dennis Pierce, Campus Technology

Today, students are interacting with content on large touchscreen flat panels. Soon, they could be using immersive head-mounted displays. The way students view and interact with information on digital displays has evolved quite a bit over the last few years — and it’s poised for even greater change in the months ahead. Many schools and colleges have invested in interactive flat panels (IFPs) that students can use as standalone systems without needing an externally connected device. New features and improvements have kept the technology relevant in today’s classrooms. But in the future, audiovisual systems on campus easily could include head-mounted displays (HMDs) that immerse students in fully interactive 3D learning environments.

https://campustechnology.com/articles/2016/03/23/go-big-or-go-small-the-future-of-av-displays.aspx

Share on Facebook

from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=15405

Gamifying Learning in My Classroom

by Liz Kolb, Edutopia

Every week for 17 years, I’ve heard my students ask, “What do I need to do to get an A?” Historically, many have focused on their grade rather than on fundamental skills. My attempt to change this mindset started two years ago when I gamified learning in my classes. After researching gamification and its potential to help students master skills and processes, I used the 3DGameLab and then Gradecraft to develop and implement game-based learning. In each class, students could choose “quests” that, if completed successfully, earned them badges and experience points. Each open-source badge was developed using Badg.us so that students could take them into the digital universe (e.g. attach to resumes, ePortfolios, etc.) and — unlike grades on a transcript — document skills they’ve mastered.

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/epic-fail-win-gamifying-learning-liz-kolb

Share on Facebook



from Educational Technology http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uis/edtech/~3/pedxSmDhCk8/

JWCC sees success and growth in online education

by KHQA

The percentage of students utilizing online courses at John Wood Community College have doubled in the last five years from 12 percent of classes being delivered online to nearly 24 percent. Due to high demand, the college launched a program in the fall that allows students to take two classes at a time and complete their degree in two years.

http://www.connecttristates.com/news/story.aspx?id=1180735#.VQ787PzF-Rs

Share on Facebook



from Educational Technology http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uis/edtech/~3/Tw5bbYky7WM/

Online courses may help universities recruit students

By: Kevin Carey, Winnepeg Free Press

Technology is poised to shake up the admissions game in a way that will level the playing field for students in America and abroad. Massive open online courses, or MOOCs, offered by dozens of elite colleges, give students a chance to prove that they’re ready for a university — and in turn, the institution gets an accurate measure of whether a student is prepared for its academics, helping refine what is quite an imprecise science. But this new way to assess prospective students isn’t great for everyone. It could become harder for U.S. students with certain social and economic advantages — children of alumni, and those who can afford the top high schools, SAT prep classes and tutors — to get into elite colleges.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/analysis/Online-courses-may-help-universities-recruit-students-297041041.html

Share on Facebook



from Educational Technology http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uis/edtech/~3/FV1d9lVAUpM/

18 Shreveport students face expulsion after allegedly hacking grades

by Melody Brumble, Gannett

Eighteen Southwood High School seniors face expulsion after allegedly changing grades in a online learning program used by Caddo Parish schools. The Caddo Parish school system and Southwood administrators started investigating the situation Friday after school officials discovered that grades were changed in the Edgenuity E2020 system. Middle and high school students can take courses not available at their schools or retake a failed course required for graduation. Southwood, in Shreveport, piloted the program three years ago before other Caddo schools adopted it as Principal Jeff Roberts sought ways to compete with growing virtual schools. E2020 draws up to 300 students at Southwood now. Participating schools have administrative access to the online learning program. Part of the investigation focuses on whether the students gained administrative privileges, he said.

http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20140320/NEWS01/303200019/-1/rss01?nclick_check=1

Share on Facebook



from Educational Technology http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uis/edtech/~3/15tb6vUrD_k/

U Arizona Boosts Site Accessibility with Audio Internet

By David Nagel, Campus Technology

One academic department at the University of Arizona is boosting Web accessibility for its students by providing audio navigation tools on its site. UA’s Department of Management Information Systems, which operates out of the Eller College of Management, has adopted Audio Internet Platform 5.0, a cloud-based tool from AudioEye that analyzes site content, normalizes it and then reads information aloud to visitors. It also provides related navigational tools, such as pause and skip, arrow-based navigation, audio prompts for navigation (such as “This carousel contains X items, press left or right to scroll through them”)and optional reader display mode.

http://campustechnology.com/articles/2014/03/20/u-arizona-boosts-site-accessibility-with-audio-internet.aspx

Share on Facebook



from Educational Technology http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uis/edtech/~3/VZv2QTEDvSk/

Change the Homework, Improve Student Achievement

By David Nagel, Campus Technology

A new study from Rice University and Duke University researchers identified a relatively non-invasive approach to improving student achievement — one that doesn’t involve gutting the curriculum or reinventing pedagogy. The researchers found that implementing subtle, technology-based changes to homework resulted in improvements in student performance on tests. The changes included the adoption of a software tool developed at Rice called OpenStax Tutor. According to the researchers, the software is similar to other tools on the market that fall into the broad category of cognitive science-based digital tutors, tools that are designed to differentiate instruction based on the needs of individual students.

http://campustechnology.com/articles/2014/03/20/change-the-homework-improve-student-achievement.aspx

Share on Facebook



from Educational Technology http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uis/edtech/~3/UYFvkJQCXH4/