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The Friday 4: Your weekly ed-tech rewind

news roundup

Every Friday, I’ll recap some of the most interesting news and thought-provoking developments from the past week.

I can’t fit all of this week’s news stories here, though, so feel free to browse eSchool News [1] and read up on other news you may have missed.

K-12 innovation is essential if today’s students are to be prepared for college and careers in an increasingly global society. This means educators at all levels must feel supported and empowered as they try new things and explore new instructional possibilities. At the same time, students should feel encouraged to do the same.

Read on for more:

Verizon app idea contest open for middle, high school students [2]
Middle and high school students can win prizes and possibly have their problem-solving smartphone application idea turned into reality by entering the Verizon Innovative Learning app challenge.
$1.7M from Gates Foundation aims to improve computer learning [3]
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded a $1.7 million grant to Highlander Institute to expand Fuse RI and the EdTechRI Testbed. Fuse RI was launched in 2014 to to help educators blend technology and traditional classroom teaching.
3 ways to make classrooms more interactive [4]
Educators who want to reach students who favor interactive communication know that integrating digital tools into their lesson plans can be an effective strategy, and many have incorporated technology tools into the classroom in one way or another. But to make a real difference, educators have to integrate technology in a meaningful way. It’s not sufficient to just use social media platforms as an alternate communication venue or post schedules on a class Facebook page.
9 ways to improve your district’s digital leadership [5]
The importance of digital learning is, by now, well established. But as schools and classrooms across the nation use digital strategies to engage students and boost achievement, digital leadership has emerged as one of the most important areas in which to invest thought, time and resources.