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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.

Classroom displays new interactive learning technologies

New product suite creates an interactive, technology-rich environment

Boxlight, an interactive classroom technology manufacturer and K-12 education solutions provider, has partnered with Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn to create a showcase classroom that will enable K-12 teachers and students to experience the full capacity and impact of interactive instruction technologies.

The technology showcase will feature Boxlight’s patented, award-winning interactive classroom technology and the advanced classroom solutions from its recent acquisition, Mimio, one of the world’s leading providers of interactive teaching technologies. Visitors to the classroom will be able to see and experience the following products:

• An 84-inch 4K ProColor interactive flat panel display and integrated OPS computer that provides ultra high resolution and accommodates up to 10 points of touch for optimal classroom collaboration…Read More

Five strategies for using classroom technology

New paper from Center for Promise highlights best technology practices gleaned from school districts

classroom-technologyTechnology and digital media continue to represent a powerful pathway for advancing the goals of education, including raising academic achievement and preparing students for college and career, according to a new study released by the Center for Promise, the research arm of America’s Promise Alliance.

In time for Digital Learning Day, the new paper, Wired to Learn: K-12 Students in the Digital Classroom, supported by the Cable Impacts Foundation, explores digital learning as a promising strategy for improving students’ educational experiences and highlights the efforts of five school districts across the country focused on reshaping the traditional learning environment.

“Our research findings illustrate how carefully planned and implemented digital learning initiatives can powerfully impact how students learn,” said Jonathan Zaff, executive director, Center for Promise. “Identifying innovative, yet practical ways to involve students in meaningful teaching plans that meet their individual needs and strengths is critical for creating positive pathways toward graduation.”…Read More

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6 small grants for teachers that could make a big difference

Every bit helps. February’s school grants offer some aid for teachers

funding-grantSchool funding is a challenge even in the post prosperous of times, especially when it comes to ed tech–technology is always changing, and maintaining or upgrading initiatives, tools, or resources is not always free. Many educators and administrators rely on school grants to fund important projects and opportunities for students.

Each month, eSchool News compiles a list of new education grant opportunities. This month’s grants focus on mostly smaller sums ideal for individual classroom teachers or projects.

Check out these funding opportunities for teachers, students, parents, and administrators–there’s likely to be a grant that’s relevant to your needs.…Read More

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Six tips for classroom technology success

An industry advisory panel of educators shares strategies to help teachers – regardless of their tenure – implement education technology in the classroom

lego-technologyThe LEGO Education Advisory Panel (LEAP) advises LEGO Education, the education division within the LEGO group, on how to meet the needs of educators and students. The panel consists of 50 educators, across all levels of education, who are experienced with the trials and triumphs of using unconventional teaching tools in the classroom.

Drawing from our experience using a wide gamut of education technology, we compiled the following list of tips and tricks to help teachers —regardless of their tenure —implement education technology in their own classroom.

1.  Be sure to teach the concept that failure is an important and expected part of the process. What we learn from each failure or mistake is the important part and will lead to the next version, or improved iteration in the problem solving process.
– Beth Brubaker, grades 1-8 Project Specialist, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy…Read More

Infographic: Teachers and administrators want more classroom technology

According to a new national online survey, 92 percent of teachers polled said they would like to use more educational technology in the classroom, highlighting the growing national understanding that educational technology isn’t optional, it’s essential.

The survey, conducted for Common Sense Media’s Graphite by Harris Interactive in May 2013, asked teachers from around the U.S. “How important do you think it is for teachers to use educational technologies in the classroom?” “During the school year, how often do you or your students use [insert type of educational technology] in your classroom?” and “What are the biggest challenges to integrating educational technologies in schools?”

(Next page: What administrators and teachers are saying)…Read More

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Discussions on classroom technology ask wrong questions, experts say

In the education community, there is a common analogy comparing emerging technologies and blended learning models with the common pencil, the Deseret News reports. The concept behind the analogy is a hypothetical world where writing, pencils and books do not exist. Then, when the pencil appears as an emerging technology, as tablet devices and competency-based learning programs are now, the question is whether it would be quickly embraced, or whether policymakers would call for pencil pilot programs to study their effect on classroom learning. Richard Culatta, who serves as acting director of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Educational Technology, demonstrated the pencil analogy Monday to guests of the Early Education and Technology for Children conference at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center…

Read the full story

…Read More

Other countries facing common ed-tech struggles

Other countries share common U.S. ed-tech concerns.

U.S. educators spend much time touting the benefits of taking a global look at classroom technology, but many countries struggle with the same ed-tech challenges facing the U.S., including dwindling funds, accessibility issues, and adequate teacher support.

“This is a challenging time today in education technology,” said Robert Martellacci, president and publisher of MindShare Learning, a Canadian ed-tech consulting, news, and events firm. “We sometimes refer to it as the Wild West. We realized there is a pent-up demand to understand what’s really working in the classroom.”

There are 15,500 K-12 schools and 5.1 million K-12 students across Canada, with 85 to 90 percent of the country’s population living within 100 miles of the U.S border. There is no national department of education, but control is segmented among 10 provinces and three territories. On average, the country maintains a one-to-five computer-to-student ratio, and Martellacci said mobile computing and BYOD initiatives are “gaining serious traction” as they are in the U.S. Also similar to U.S. schools is a strain on financial systems.…Read More

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Idaho kicks off school laptop bidding process

A task force created to help implement Luna's technology changes recommended the computer device come in the form of a laptop.

Idaho has started accepting bids for a contract to provide every high school student and teacher with a laptop or similar device.

The state is giving computer manufacturers until May 25 to submit their pitches, according to a request for proposals (RFP) issued by Idaho’s Division of Purchasing. The 85-page document was obtained by The Associated Press through a public records request.

Idaho is phasing in the laptops while also becoming the first state in the nation to require high school students to take at least two credits online to graduate. The changes were approved last year as part of a reform package authored by public schools chief Tom Luna.…Read More

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