Podcast Series: Innovations in Education

Explore the full series of eSchool News podcasts hosted by Kevin Hogan—created to keep you on the cutting edge of innovations in education.

The advent of AI

What’s better than watching a lively and substantive conversation thread develop on LinkedIn as a result of your recent posting on the hottest topic in edtech today? Getting the participants to follow up with a real live conversation of their own. So it was that I was able to snag a Zoom session with Jerry Crisci, founding co-director of the Center for Innovation for the Scarsdale Public Schools in Scarsdale, NY; Mark Loundy, instructional technology specialist for the Cupertino Union School District, CA; and Gary Stager, a pioneer in 1:1 computing, online learning, and computer science for all students, to weigh in on their perspectives. 

In an inspired and somewhat provocative go around, we touch on topics including AI’s influence on the education sector, concerns about cheating, the need for educational reform, and the potential for AI to enhance learning. Give it a listen and maybe chime in yourself! To read more about Gary Stger’s work regarding AI click here; for Jerry Crisci, click here; and for Mark Loundy, click here.

.Three Key Takeaways:…Read More

7 steps for a smooth technology deployment

As the director of student learning at a pre-K-12 school district, my job is to deploy technology that will prepare students for college and career readiness. So, when my district’s 1:1 computer environment had fallen behind others in our area, it was up to me and my team to roll out something new—something better—that would position our students for future success.

Here’s how we pulled it off and steps you can take to replicate success in your schools.

1. Do your research.
Most of the schools in our region use Chromebooks, but we wanted technology that would grow with us—something with staying power in math and science, especially. To make the most informed decision, we:…Read More

One-to-one computing programs only as effective as their teachers

Studies show that 1:1 success depends more on teachers than on the equipment itself.
Studies show that 1:1 success depends more on teachers than on the equipment itself.

A compilation of four new studies of one-to-one computing projects in K-12 schools identifies several factors that are key to the projects’ success, including adequate planning, stakeholder buy-in, and strong school or district leadership. Not surprisingly, the researchers say the most important factor of all is the teaching practices of instructors—suggesting school laptop programs are only as effective as the teachers who apply them.

The studies were published in January by the Journal of Technology, Learning, and Assessment, a peer-reviewed online journal from Boston College’s Lynch School of Education.…Read More