4 considerations for your first makerspace

BY PAUL RAMOS, eSchool News
A beginner’s guide to what makerspaces really are, whether or not one should be implemented, and some fun ideas for the new school year. The benefits of hands-on, active learning are firmly established, yet a lot of difference exists between being able to touch something and being able to create something. The latter allows students to practice skills in demand in the modern economy.

https://www.eschoolnews.com/2017/09/20/4-considerations-makerspaces/

 

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=32149

Science Competition Promotes K-12 Science Standards and Innovation

By Dian Schaffhauser, THE Journal
An “assistance rod” that acts as a “rescue pack” for baby sea turtles. An improved cochlear implant that allows its wearer to hear a wider range of frequencies. An environmentally-friendly food wrap that will change color when the food inside has spoiled or been contaminated. Those are some of the winning student entries from previous “ExploraVision” science competitions. This year’s event will be open for registration from K-12 students until Feb. 8, 2018. The ExploraVision program is put on by the National Science Teachers Association and Toshiba with a goal of encouraging students to learn more about STEM-related subjects.

https://thejournal.com/articles/2017/09/21/science-competition-promotes-k12-science-standards-and-innovation.aspx

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=32139

Report: Most Educators Aware of OER, Don’t Understand OER Licensing

By Joshua Bolkan, THE Journal

The survey of more than 500 district decision makers was designed to shed light on how districts make full-course curriculum adoption decisions and to what degree respondents are aware of open educational resources (OER) and have adopted them. “The stated level of awareness of the terms and concepts of OER among K-12 district decision makers is very high,” according to the report. “However, that awareness does not extend to knowledge of open licensing. Nearly three-quarters of respondents say that they are aware of OER, but if we count only those who are also be aware of Creative Commons licensing, this drops to only one-third.”

https://thejournal.com/articles/2017/09/21/report-most-educators-aware-of-oer-dont-understand-oer-licensing.aspx

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=32129

Mentors make the difference in online learning

BY NEIL MORAN, Rapid Growth Media

Online learning at the primary and secondary levels is growing exponentially, and so is the research around this topic, says Kathryn Kennedy, Ph.D., director of the Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute. One of the key components of online learning — and what often sets it apart from traditional classroom instruction — is the potential to support the learning experience via mentors who help guide students in their educational choices and learning.

http://www.rapidgrowthmedia.com/features/092216-mentors-make-the-difference-in-online-learning.aspx

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=18800

Thirteen universities adopt MicroMasters and launch 18 new programs via edX

by MIT News

In October 2015, MIT launched the MITx MicroMasters credential, which enables online learners to take a semester’s worth of master’s-level courses on the edX platform, then complete a master’s degree in a single full semester on campus at MIT. The first MicroMasters in supply chain management (SCM) has seen incredible success: Over 127,000 students have enrolled in at least one course — including representation from 189 countries — and more than 7,000 have signed up for verified ID certificates in at least one course. Just one year later, edX is now partnering with several other universities to bring the MicroMasters model to even more learners across the globe. EdX, which aims to bridge the knowledge gap between higher education and the workplace by offering 18 new programs from 13 universities in rapidly growing fields.

http://news.mit.edu/2016/thirteen-universities-adopt-micromasters-and-launch-18-new-programs-via-edx-0920

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=18787

iNACOL to Host Blended and Online Learning Symposium

by iNACOL

On October 25-28, 2016, the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) is hosting the iNACOL Blended and Online Learning Symposium, the industry’s leading event for K-12 competency-based, blended and online learning. The mission of the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) is to catalyze the transformation of K-12 education policy and practice to advance powerful, personalized, learner-centered experiences through competency-based, blended and online learning. iNACOL is a non-profit organization focusing on research, developing policy for student-centered education to ensure equity and access, developing quality standards for emerging learning models using competency-based, blended and online education, and supporting the ongoing professional development of school and district leaders for new learning models. Visit our website, like us on Facebook, connect with us on LinkedIn and follow us on Twitter.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/inacol-host-blended-online-learning-symposium-120000639.html

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=18775

Collaborative Aims To Plot Pathways for Women of Color in STEM

By Dian Schaffhauser, Campus Technology

A consortium of 10 colleges and universities and nine non-profits is aiming to get more women and girls of color involved in science, technology, engineering and math fields. The new National STEM Collaborative will develop tools and online workshops, train hiring managers and others in addressing bias, build a database of programs to support women of color in STEM majors and highlight research to derive best practices. The work will be led by Center for Gender Equity in Science and Technology (CGEST), based at Arizona State University. The center’s executive director, Kimberly Scott, will run the program. Scott founded CompuGirls, a technology program for girls in grades 8-12 to learn about digital media, game development and other technical areas.

http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/09/23/collaborative-to-plot-pathways-for-women-of-color-in-stem.aspx

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=13925

Growth In Online MBA Applications Outstrips Traditional Degree Formats

by Seb Murray, Business Because

A growing number of online and flexible MBA programs have reported year-on-year growth in applications, more than traditional part-time and executive courses — highlighting the swelling appeal of digital degrees among business students. The surge in application volume for business schools’ online MBA programs is reported in the annual Application Trends Survey by the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC), owners of the GMAT entry test. GMAC said the trend for students to opt for digital MBAs is related to survey findings that indicate a shift in employer tuition assistance. This year, both part-time and executive MBA programs expect fewer students to have financial backing from their bosses.

http://www.businessbecause.com/news/mba-distance-learning/3473/edtech-online-mba-applications-outstrip-traditional-formats

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=13918

The top 10 courses for Brits looking for a better job

by Rebecca Burn-Callander, the Telegraph

Brits are heading online to brush up on digital skills.  Brits are signing up for online courses in web development, app making and coding games in a bid to stay ahead of the job market, according to new industry figures. Workers are looking to brush up on digital skills, which are increasingly in demand by employers; 48% of course enrolments are in the technology field. Some 75% of courses are related to work, and many job-seekers are signing up for self-improvement courses in subjects such as speed reading, mindfulness, influence and confidence-building to give themselves an edge over the competition.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/jobs/11882369/Brits-turn-to-courses-in-coding-speed-reading-and-influence-to-boost-career-prospects.html

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from Educational Technology http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/?p=13915

Blended learning comes to Tift County classrooms

by Tifton Gazette

Changes in technology are changing the way we educate students. This school year marks the beginning of a new program that allows Tift County students to learn online. Blended learning is a new format in which students are taking online classes, but are doing so in a classroom with a Tift County teacher. Blended courses allow students to take advantage of the flexibility and convenience of an online course while retaining the benefits of face-to-face classroom experiences with a certified classroom teachers. It allows students to experience components of online learning, while maintaining the social and instructional interactions that may not readily lend themselves to online delivery, such as lab assignments.

http://www.tiftongazette.com/news/article_acaf2a98-440c-11e4-b748-8f43281ef335.html

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from Educational Technology http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uis/edtech/~3/qTFub5d96ak/

Protecting Student Privacy in Online Learning

by Ozier Muhammad, The New York Times

Schools are increasingly using online learning technology. Advocates tout its use in tailoring lessons to each child’s pace and ability as a revolution in education. But privacy advocates have warned that the vast amounts of personal data students generate with the products can be misused. California, for instance, is set to pass the first law prohibiting companies from selling students’ personal information or using it for marketing purposes.

http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2014/09/24/protecting-student-privacy-in-online-learning

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from Educational Technology http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uis/edtech/~3/tHjMoTrHe0U/

English class a unique option for senior students

by KAYLEIGH RAHN JG-TC

Windsor Junior Senior High School this year has offered seniors a new course option with an online-based English class. The course is taught by Windsor teacher Shanna House, but there is no class time; the work is done on the students’ own time. The curriculum is exchanged through an online teaching aid called Google Classroom, and since students have an extra class hour they are able to take another course they otherwise wouldn’t have been able to, says Principal Erik Van Hoveln.

http://jg-tc.com/news/english-class-a-unique-option-for-senior-students/article_8c32ab50-2b0c-512f-813c-a1a2bed27be4.html

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