Connected Districts, Part 2: Prioritizing ed-tech
We presented the idea of the "connected district" in Part 1 of this series, where we featured one district that has made personalized learning a top priority, and…
Laura Ascione is the Editorial Director at eSchool Media. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland's prestigious Philip Merrill College of Journalism.
Latest posts by Laura Ascione (see all)
- In districts, reaching readiness, retention, and success - March 5, 2026
- AI use is on the rise, but is guidance keeping pace? - January 2, 2026
- 49 predictions about edtech, innovation, and–yes–AI in 2026 - January 1, 2026
How to teach students about their digital footprint
Students must know about their digital footprint and the consequences of online actions Technology is an integral part of teaching ... Read more
8 great apps for Android users
iPhones and iPads may have once been educators' and students' go-to devices, but Android-based tools are increasingly present in classrooms across the nation. These eight apps, which cover…
Six helpful classroom management apps for teachers
Mobile apps aren't just for students. Teachers and administrators benefit from management apps designed to boost productivity, provide quicker access to actionable data, and more. Here are 6…
10 interactive math apps for K-12 students
Research has proven that developing and sustaining students' interest in math at an early age leads to future success in more difficult and complex math courses. With the…
States improve school data use
States have made immense progress in collecting student data, communicating the importance of using such data, and in emphasizing the need to keep student information safe and secure,…
Schools sign up for ‘Hour of Code’
The Hour of Code is an initiative that asks students, teachers, parents, and schools to introduce students to computer programming during Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek), Dec. 9-15,…
‘Augmented reality’ enters classrooms
A student holds a tablet in front of a series of famous paintings. On each painting, something comes to life–sounds, animation, or a pop-up fact linking the painting…
Amplify vows to fix high-profile tablet flap
In the wake of much-publicized safety issues plaguing a 15,000-tablet initiative in Guilford County, N.C., schools, Brooklyn-based technology company Amplify said it will replace every device distributed under…
11 amazing Twitter chats for educators
Social media is one of the top ways educators and students interact and learn from one another. Students in Florida can collaborate with students in Minnesota, and administrators…
2014 eRate Survival Guide
In one of the most comprehensive evaluations of the eRate since its inception in 1997, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) earlier this year issued a rulemaking process to…
How do two ‘connected districts’ do it?
The 95,000 students in Georgia's Fulton County Schools have different learning styles and interests, and district administrators say they believe students' learning opportunities should mirror their preferences and…
The Classroom of 2024: Four future hallmarks
Ten years may not seem like much, but it's enough time for transformation, according to education experts who see the future of education becoming more collaborative and less…
Here’s why we absolutely need ed-tech
Ed-tech remains critical to K-12 education, especially when it comes to student success and engagement. A survey of public school teachers and administrators sheds light on why and…
Millions participate in the Hour of Code
Last month, eSN gave readers a preview of Computer Science Education Week's major initiative, the Hour of Code, which asks students, teachers, parents, and schools to learn just…
10 computer science education resources and facts
To celebrate Computer Science Education Week and to make sure you're ready to educate students and peers about why computer science is such an essential part of U.S.…
Computer Science Education Week: How will you participate?
Computer Science Education Week begins today, and the week is full of resources and events to help curriculum directors and educators integrate and implement computer science lessons. As…
A more social form of professional development
The state of Utah has adopted an innovative online platform for its 25,000 teachers that reinvents the notion of how professional development is experienced.
Three ways social studies teachers use tech
Social studies lessons are becoming more engaging and interactive, thanks to a variety of classroom technology tools and resources. Here are a few examples. OER in the classroom…
How teachers are using technology in the social studies classroom
Shannon Blake, an eighth grade social studies teacher at the Charleston Catholic School in Charleston, S.C., uses Net Texts, a free open educational resources (OER) content management and…
PISA results yield 4 key actions for U.S. education
U.S. students lagged behind their international counterparts in reading, math, and science, and students' performance remained flat as other countries' students improved, according to much-anticipated data from the…
Don’t miss these December events
The school year has moved into December, and as educators and students gear up for a much-deserved break from school, the month brings with it some notable educational…
Amplify vows to fix high-profile tablet flap
In the wake of much-publicized safety issues plaguing a 15,000-tablet initiative in Guilford County, N.C., schools, Brooklyn-based technology company Amplify said it will replace every device distributed under…
7 engaging, educational YouTube channels
Learning happens everywhere--inside a classroom, at home, in the car or on the bus, and on weekends. As students have more access to mobile and handheld devices, they…
7 steps to more engaging professional development
Most administrators and teachers share a common view of professional development: It's not always as productive as they hope or it takes valuable time away from more pressing…
How PISA results will impact U.S. schools
Much debate has focused on the role of international rankings and assessments in U.S. education. Experts say U.S. education leaders can use data about top performing countries to…
Federal program links students to career learning
President Obama on Nov. 19 unveiled a new grant program designed to help U.S. students understand and develop the skills they will need to be successful in college…
Ed-tech tools boost early learners’ math skills
New research indicates that a technology-supported curriculum can help early learners better absorb STEM subjects, setting up at-risk early learners for more academic success down the road. A…
How school leaders can empower the digital transition
Transitioning to a digital curriculum has been met with a mixture of enthusiasm and concern. While digital resources align with students' learning preferences and will enable them to…
Major ed data report reveals states’ improvements
States have made immense progress in collecting student data, communicating the importance of using such data, and in emphasizing the need to keep student information safe and secure,…
4 steps for supporting, strengthening principals
Ensuring that principals are prepared for success via access to resources, solid evaluation systems, and other measures will lead to successful teachers and students, according to a new…
Hybrid learning’s promise for personalized education
Some technology trends are just that: trends and fads. Others--like hybrid learning--have sticking power, because they enable students and teachers to personalize teaching and learning. In recent years,…
More educators turning to educational gaming
Engaging forms of educational gaming offer real-time data, individualized learning opportunities Educational gaming has been present in classrooms and schools ... Read more
Student data privacy: The role of policymakers and schools
As states move to collect, store, and interpret student data, education leaders should be familiar with important federal laws that safeguard student data and protect student privacy. Efforts…
Schools signing up for the Hour of Code
Have you signed up for the Hour of Code? If you haven't, chances are you know someone who has--more than 11,000 coding and computer science events are planned,…
Ed-tech groups mull new FCC chief’s priorities
Ed-tech advocacy groups reacted to the confirmation of Tom Wheeler as Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman, noting that the official move positions the agency to better act on…
Connected Educator Month by the numbers
On Oct. 31, Connected Educators and the U.S. Department of Education wrapped up the second annual Connected Educator Month, a month-long event aimed at helping administrators, technology leaders,…
Google+ links teachers, virtual field trips
In an effort to boost teacher collaboration and cultivate digital skills in students, Google+ on Nov. 4 launched Connected Classrooms, a program that connects K-12 teachers with virtual…
10 digital citizenship resources
Students may be able to operate technology tools and navigate resources without a problem, but students don’t always realize that what they post or make public online, and…
Finding free assessment tools for one-to-one programs
A number of free assessment tools can help with one-to-one programs One-to-one initiatives are touted for their ability to engage ... Read more