January, 2016

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What Makes a Great Education Tweet?

Tom Murray

Since getting its start less than a decade ago, more than a billion users have signed up for Twitter, with an estimated 320 million of them currently active. While Katy Perry ( @katyperry ) may top the charts with the most followers (80 million and counting), the average number of Twitter followers for those of us who aren’t pop sensations is a more modest 208.

Education 259
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U.S K-12 Educational Technology Policy: What is the Federal Role? (Part I)

Doug Levin

What should the federal role be in promoting access to and use of technology for K-12 education (AKA ‘educational technology policy’)? What are the types of programs and policies that Congress could enact that would benefit students given: (1) a limited federal role in (and national budget for) education, and (2) continual and rapid advances in technological capabilities, tools, and services that are or could be applied to benefit student learning (both in and out of schools)?

Policies 170
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Practical Applications to Individualize and Personalize Learning

A Principal's Reflections

Possibly one of the most important shifts needed in schools is to provide individualized and personalized learning experiences to students. Learning has fundamentally changed with the evolution of the Internet and other technologies that allow for ubiquitous access to information and knowledge. Digital leadership focuses on transforming learning environments through online course offerings (synchronous and asynchronous), independent studies, and use of OpenCourseWare to provide students with con

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What Is Competency-Based Learning, Why Does It Matter?

The CoolCatTeacher

Every Classroom Matters episode 210 From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter. New Hampshire and educator John Martin are at the forefront of the competency-based learning movement. In today’s show, we’ll give you an overview of competency-based learning including some of the benefits and the problems. Whatever your school situation, by having teachers agree upon standard competencies that students master, schools can be more certain of what students k

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Quickly Create Personalized Learning Experiences that Work

How can we actively engage learners 24/7, on their level and according to their interests, while respecting their learning styles? It’s not impossible. In this guide: Explore how to transform traditional, one-way videos into two-way interactive learning experiences Understand different types of artificial intelligence (AI), including - Generative vs.

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3 Apps Disguised as Games to Help Bolster Learning

Ask a Tech Teacher

Education has changed. Teachers don’t lecture from the front of the classroom. Work isn’t an individual effort. Drills no longer hold pride of place in lesson plans. Now, teachers expect students to engage: be part of the solution, not a passive recipient of the process. Does this sound boring? Not if you’re a kid. Then, you call it ‘games’ and choose it for free time, as a study break, and with friends.

Learning 157
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Why you need to try scenario-based learning

Neo LMS

The e-learning landscape is a continuum of different instructional designs meant to adapt to individual student needs. This is where scenario-based learning (SBL) comes in, when learners are immersed in real-life and situational scenarios which lets them gather skills and information which in essence is learning by doing. Learners are able to identify with a course when they are “in their own shoes” and scenario learning gives them that kind of immersion and hands-on approach.

Outcomes 151

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Choosing Ed-Tech Tools by Balancing Data and Teacher Intuition

Ed Tech from the Ground Up

Most ed-tech startups don't have scientific data on outcomes yet, so teacher feedback should play a critical role when choosing products. Click the headline to read the full post. Questions? Email websupport@epe.org.

Data 238
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In the News: On IMS OneRoster and the Need for Interoperability

Doug Levin

As quoted in: Herold, Benjamin. “ New Interoperability Standard Aims to Ease Major Ed-Tech Headache.” Education Week. 27 January 2016. “Over the long term, the [best] solution is adopting an open standard that works. But some districts will always want to have their hand held, and not every company is going to be sophisticated on this issue.” The post In the News: On IMS OneRoster and the Need for Interoperability appeared first on EdTech Strategies.

EdTech 150
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Reconnecting Your Students to the Lessons of Nature

The CoolCatTeacher

Every Classroom Matters episode 209 From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter. We need to take kids out into nature! Far too many children are growing up not seeing the beauty of nature and not learning to respect the danger. We are going to inherit the future where the only thing valued by this generation is made of concrete, rebar, and steel.

Report 177
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What’s Groundhog Day??

Ask a Tech Teacher

Groundhog Day is February 2nd. Watch this Youtube and come away in the know: Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-8 technology for 15 years. She is the editor/author of dozens of tech ed resources including a K-8 technology curriculum , K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum, and dozens of books on how to integrate technology into education.

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Can Brain Science Actually Help Make Your Training & Teaching Stick?

Speaker: Andrew Cohen, Founder & CEO of Brainscape

The instructor’s PPT slides are brilliant. You’ve splurged on the expensive interactive courseware. Student engagement is stellar. So… why are half of your students still forgetting everything they learned in just a matter of weeks? It's likely a matter of cognitive science! With so much material to "teach" these days, we often forget to incorporate key proven principles into our curricula — namely active recall, metacognition, spaced repetition, and interleaving practice.

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Is SCORM still relevant?

Neo LMS

I'm positive that at least 70% of the people in the e-learning space created or used at some point a SCORM package, whether it was a full class, a lesson, an assessment, or a simple presentation. SCORM has been used at a large scale for quite some time now, but as e-learning technology advances we have to wonder if it's still relevant for e-learning users.

LMS 150
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In the News…2016

Tom Murray

March. National School Boards Association (NSBA) Names “20 to Watch” Education Technology Leaders, NSBA , Link. Creating Cultures of Innovation in Future Ready Schools, EduTalkRadio , Link. Future of Education Technology Conference ( FETC ) Reveals 2017 Advisory Board, FETC , Link. ISTE Identifies 7 Traits of Digital Learners, Center for Digital Education, Link.

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Nine Strategies to Help Startups Improve Writing Productivity

Ed Tech from the Ground Up

Writing is a very important part of the startup life. Here are some lessons for writing better business plans, startup competition applications, cold emails, and PowerPoint presentations. Click the headline to read the full post. Questions? Email websupport@epe.org.

Strategy 174
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Managed Tablet Bundles Simplify K–12 Mobility Initiatives

EdTech Magazine

By EdTech Staff Thanks to provider-managed mobility programs, IT can spend less time setting up, deploying and securing devices. .

Mobility 162
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Reimagining Chickering & Gamson's Principles Post-Pandemic: Technology's Central Role in Modern Edu

This white paper examines and proposes revisions to the "Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education" introduced by Arthur Chickering and Zelda Gamson in 1987 for today's technology-driven world.

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7 Productivity Secrets for Educators

The CoolCatTeacher

Every Classroom Matters episode 206 From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter. Productivity expert Dr. Frank Buck teaches us how to select the productivity tools to stay organized. Learn these seven productivity secrets to getting organized. Face it, educators have unique challenges and needs. In this show, Frank shares his “Magnificent 7” or the seven questions you should ask before you pick an electronic tool.

Education 204
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Tech Tip #122: Chromebook Delete Key

Ask a Tech Teacher

As a working technology teacher, I get hundreds of questions from parents about their home computers, how to do stuff, how to solve problems. Each Tuesday, I’ll share one of those with you. They’re always brief and always focused. Enjoy! Q: Not only does my Chromebook not have Caps Lock (which I’ve now fixed), but there’s no ‘delete’ key. .

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Interactive Map: Integrating Technology in Early Literacy

Waterford

A new interactive map called Integrating Technology in Early Literacy was released by New America and the Joan Ganz Cooney Center. Click to view full map. A new interactive map called Integrating Technology in Early Literacy was recently released by New America and the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop. This map illustrates 30+ parenting and educational programs across the country that have integrated new technologies to support language development and early literacy.

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Chicago Public Library: The Library as a Gateway to 21st Century Skills

Digital Promise

Gabe is the Program Manager for the Adult Learning Initiative at Digital Promise. You can reach him on Twitter at @marvelousreal. “Libraries are safe places. That’s why I come here to learn,” says Christine, a student at one of Chicago Public Library’s (CPL) Learning Circles. A shy, 50-something native to Chicago, she is somewhat new to taking classes at the library, and yet she is proof that CPL’s approach to adult education — using technology as a gateway to

Libraries 191
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Behind the Bell: The Underlying Impact of Tardiness in K-12 Schools

Managing a K-12 campus with constant pressure to meet performance metrics is challenging. And tardiness can significantly limit a school from reaching these goals. Learn more about why chronic lateness matters, and key strategies to address the following impacts: Data errors caused by manual processes Low attendance and graduation rates that affect a school’s reputation Classroom disruption, which leads to poor academic performance High staff attrition and “The Teacher Exodus” Unmet LCAP goals t

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Five Predictions for Personalized Learning in 2016

Education Elements

My predictions over the last few years have come true. It has been demonstrated that any classroom can implement blended learning and, when done well, get superior results. Personalized learning is now part of an increasing number of district and school strategic plans. Organizations like XQ Super School Project and the newly formed Chan Zuckerberg Initiative are continuing to push everyone’s interest in personalized learning.

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TCEA 2016: What’s New at This Year’s Show

EdTech Magazine

By D. Frank Smith Thousands of educators are slated to arrive next week in Austin for the latest education technology conference.

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6 Pillars to Successfully Integrate Technology In Your 1:1 Classroom

Securly

Inspired By Gary Spracklen of Isle of Portland Aldridge Community Academy (IPACA), United Kingdom. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) conducted a study on the correlation between test performance and technology usage in the classroom. In the last quarter of 2015, they released their findings in “ Students Computers and Learning: Making the Connection”.

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What are Good Tech Goals for Students?

Ask a Tech Teacher

A frequent question from readers revolves around technology goals for students. It’s tempting to phrase goals like: 4th graders can create a chart in a spreadsheet . or: 80% of 5th graders can complete ten skills in MS Word (or Google Docs). But that’s not what technology is about. Technology supports a curriculum. It’s the pencils and books of our digital world.

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The Battle of the Authoring Tools: A 10-Point Comparison for Picking the Right One

Speaker: Chris Paxton McMillin, President of D3 Training Solutions

There are plenty of great authoring tools for developing eLearning, but the one you select could directly impact your course's outcomes. Depending upon your learners’ needs and your organization’s performance goals, you could be overlooking considerations that impact the both effectiveness of your courses and how long it takes to finish them. From general capabilities to specific workflow structures, some aspects are critical when it comes to learning objectives and deadlines.

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Old English Teachers Never Fade Away

Battelle for Kids

Volume 3, Issue 2, Number 1. When I was a boy several centuries back, the historic words "Old Soldiers Never Die, They Just Fade Away" flowed out of my family's sole radio. Over the years, I have uncovered many meanings in General MacArthur's retirement speech. Today, whenever I engage in discussion about the Common Core Standards, I end up thinking about what he said.

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Is Blended Learning the Same as Technology-Rich Instruction?

FuelEd

Contributor: Amanda Cunningham Thursday, January 28, 2016 - 10:45am There’s a lot of confusion around blended learning and technology-rich instruction. Many schools think that because they use computers in the classroom they are a blended school. Yet, “blended learning” and “technology-rich instruction” mean something quite different. . Technology-rich instruction provides educators with a valuable tool to reinforce lessons, but the technology in itself does not facilitate student learning.

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Engaging classes vs. test prep: Can we have both?

Ditch That Textbook

Teachers are so buried in requirements, paperwork and other demands on their classroom time. To make matters worse, high-stakes tests can sap the joy out of teaching very quickly. When there’s more content to cover than there is time to do it meaningfully, every day in class can feel like a threat to a teacher’s [.].

Classroom 167
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Teacher's Adele-Inspired Snow-Day Video Gains a Following

EdTech Magazine

By D. Frank Smith The latest in a growing trend of educators-turned-performers has gone viral.

Video 212
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The Roses and Thorns of an LMS Strategy: How to Flourish with the Right LMS

Speaker: Amanda Davis, Chief Experience Officer and Liam O'Malley, VP of Association Solutions

The "new normal" is now a little less new, a little more normal. Does that mean your current LMS strategy is in need of a refresh? Is your organization or association leaning into the always-evolving eLearning environment to ensure you have the tools and content to remain relevant through all this change? There are many complex decision-making processes within your learning & development strategy and LMS lifecycle management, including: Selection.

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Cyberbullying Prevention for the Classroom

Securly

Online harassment continues to increase each year. As cyberbullying rates reach an all time high among young adults, what are parents and teachers to do? Yes, Anti-Bullying Laws do exist and cyberbullying is ILLEGAL! Laws vary by state, but cover the necessities. According to the Cyberbullying Research Center, while only 23 states directly mention “cyberbullying”, 48 states include protection against electronic harassment.

Classroom 126
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The Magical Ms. H and the Comeback Kid: One Student's Empowerment

Voyager Sopris Learning

How One Teacher is Working Her Magic to Help Struggling Students Reclaim Their Education, Part 1 of 2. Things are moving fast these days in this magical universe. It’s been raining pink glitter ever since I published my first blog post. I’ve been moving quickly from dream to idea to plan to action. Recently, I turned my attention to at-risk students on my roster.

Education 126
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It’s too overwhelming

Dangerously Irrelevant

“The magnitude of all of this change… it’s too overwhelming.” Fair enough. I, too, often feel overwhelmed by it all. But are we going to hunker down and ignore it or lean into it and try to figure out how to adapt? Which one better serves the needs of our children? Image credit: Day 49 – I can’t do it anymore , Alisa Ryan. Related Posts.

Video 130
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Blended Learning- Geniuses at Work

Battelle for Kids

Volume 3, Issue 1, Number 11. Driving Question: What if elementary students took over our school's technology program? "Hi, I'm a Genius ," smiles Eling. Eling is not boastfully talking about her IQ, but a leadership job she holds at Katherine Smith Elementary School. The Katherine Smith Geniuses, inspired by the support you get in the back of any Apple Store, are a group of fourth, fifth, and sixth graders who are in charge of the over 600 devices on our blended learning campus.

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Building the Foundation for a Modern K-12 Classroom

K-12 looks different these days. But one thing remains the same: you need a reliable learning platform that serves as the foundation for teaching and learning––for all students, in a variety of learning experiences. Discover how the Instructure Learning Platform supports today's K-12 classroom through: A central, consistent, connected hub of the digital learning environment.