Educational Technology News

"Everybody wants the new shiny thing. But in the world of business, the next hot piece of tech or game-shaking idea may not be what’s best for your company. While some projects can benefit nearly every company, the majority will only aid those who put the legwork into making them truly fit your organizational needs."

Superintendent Matt Prusiecki of Metropolitan School District of Decatur Township in Indiana writes that educators can leverage new technology to expand learning and career opportunities for students.

While teachers strongly support the infusion of technology into student learning, a survey found that their schools still face multiple hurdles in that pursuit, including a lack of computing devices, too much emphasis on passive activities and insufficient professional development to help educators understand how to teach with tech.

"Walk into one of our classrooms at Huntington Beach (CA) City School District right now and you won’t find a typical classroom. You’ll find groups of students working together, others working independently, and still others moving from one group to the next to discuss different topics. We’re setting the stage for the classroom of the future, where teachers will introduce a concept or an idea and then ask students to use their skill sets, interests, and knowledge to either prove or disprove that concept—and then show mastery in a way that is far more important than simply regurgitating information on a test."

"If you stepped into a classroom to find a student holding up an iPad and diligently filming the action and dialogue of several other students, it would be reasonable to think you’d walked into a filmmaking class. But in the case of Anthony Stirpe’s classroom, you’d be wrong. He’s teaching English Language Arts."

Colleges need to have a social media presence to attract and hold Generation Z’s attention as well as to address their academic, personal, and career needs.

"You may be familiar with the idea of student-centered learning. The core idea is simple: student engagement and student learning outcomes are superior if the focus of instruction is on the student rather than on the teacher."

"New research shows teenagers think social media distracts them, but makes them happier"

"Too often, libraries are mistaken for quiet buildings filled with books and librarians who “hush” you. If this is your take on libraries, you are majorly mistaken. Today’s libraries are thriving community gathering places that house both books and open access to digital resources. Today’s librarians are highly skilled when it comes to using and reviewing digital resources. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that libraries are at the forefront of the OER revolution."

The app made for PennDOT's Innovations Challenge would incorporate advertising from businesses offering coupons and incentives as rewards for safe driving.

"Artificial intelligence (AI), mixed reality, and cognitive science research sound like science fiction for today’s classrooms, but this technology is available today. Innovation and technology are as integral to education today as chalkboards were in the past. And with the introduction of emerging, new, and proven technology-enhanced innovations, teachers are creating new ways of teaching and improving student learning, leading to a shift in pedagogy. Here are three of the latest innovations our district is using."

"This past July, educators from the Solomon Schechter Day School of Bergen County arrived in the impoverished Mbekweni community in Paarl, South Africa to help open a first-ever library for the 1,500 students of the Langabuya School. They also delivered a stock of solar-powered reading lights designed and built by Schechter’s sixth graders."

Many say students need STEM education to prepare for a fast-changing workforce, but it's even more critical that they grasp the moral boundaries surrounding new technologies.

Katie Boody, Founder and CEO of LEANLAB, explores how "designing with, not for communities" is needed to adjust the EdTech accelerator model.

"The future ready initiative strives to increase access to digital learning for American students. Its principles and resources are a great boon for technology coaches, who are already probably aligned with the mission and approach of future ready instruction."

The next wireless network generation is on the horizon, and it has big implications for technology integration in the classroom.

"Here are 5 imperatives to help school leaders adapt the learning environment to keep up with the world outside of the classroom"

"There is no doubt that technology both improves and complicates education. Technology can turn education into a more interactive, global experience, though it also raises new issues regarding classroom management and student misuse of class time.  However, with guidance and dedication, teachers can implement wearable technology to help students engage with lessons on a deeper, more intrinsic level.  Here are 5 ways educators can leverage wearable technology to enhance student engagement."

More teachers are requiring students to use assigned devices in their classrooms, but a new report finds inconsistencies with technology adoption in class and at home.

"For a long time, I thought that “studying” meant rereading the same old textbook or lecture notes over and over—usually without really getting anywhere. I would nod along as I read, thinking Yep, this looks familiar. And after hours of cramming, I’d close the book and promptly forget everything. If you suspect that this study strategy isn’t the best, you’re right."

The possibility of rogue employees and students running bitcoin mining operations on K-12 computers will decrease over the summer months.