Twitter chat hour reveals ed-tech insights

For our next Twitter chat hour, Managing Editor Laura Devaney will take questions from readers and share her ed-tech insights from 1-2 p.m. ET on June 9.

Readers who follow us on Twitter are especially interested in new eLearning tools, mobile devices, and game-based learning strategies, as evidenced by the questions we received during our first live Twitter chat hour with readers.

Hosted by Editor Dennis Pierce, the April 26 session gave readers a chance to submit questions and engage in an online dialogue about new trends and recent developments in education technology. The event took place entirely on Twitter and was so well received that we plan on making it a regular feature.

For our next Twitter chat hour, Managing Editor Laura Devaney will take questions from readers and share her ed-tech insights from 1-2 p.m. Eastern time on June 9.…Read More

Gates gives $20M for digital learning, Common Core curriculum

$3M will go to the Pearson Foundation to create 24 online courses supporting the Common Core standards; four of these courses will be free to schools.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation announced April 27 that it will be investing more than $20 million in game-based learning and other digital tools to help usher the new Common Core standards into the classroom.

The foundation wants to help teachers engage students in learning the challenging new standards being adopted by more than 40 states. It says some of the web-based games, social-networking platforms, and online courses will be available for any teacher to use free of charge.

The new tools will include video games that build proficiency in math, reading, and science, as well as a new game platform that can be used for various subjects. The grants also include money for web-based classes aligned with the new common standards.…Read More