5 tips for new, easy and affordable school edtech upgrades
Waiting on a slow computer to load or update wastes valuable time and can detract from lessons and class time. ... Read more
IT Newsletter
6 tips for a successful one-to-one rollout
Nowadays, one-to-one initiatives aren't anything new. Even I, a journalist with no experience as an educator, have successfully deployed and maintained a one-to-one iPad Mini initiative for my…
These 8 schools have A+ mobile device programs—here’s why
Technology continues to raise the bar of what is possible in education. As more schools discover the power and benefits of education technology, mobile devices such as Chromebooks,…
Warning: These fraud attacks are wreaking havoc on education
On March 14, it was reported in CSO (a leading cybersecurity outlet) that 110 organizations experiences successful phishing attacks targeting their ... Read more
6 growing trends taking over academic libraries
Spreading digital fluency is now a core responsibility of academic libraries, and Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT) are poised to amplify the utility and reach…
District sees massive STEM gains with VR
The students at Franklin Square Union Free School District in Nassau County, New York, had already studied the layers of the earth. They’d seen a video, discussed the…
Teachers and IT: How to keep kids safe on Chromebooks
Just a few short years ago, Apple was the undisputed king of tech in schools. If you didn’t have iPads ... Read more
Making the case for common K-12 standards
Education is changing, things are in flux, and there is uncertainty. In this ever-dynamic landscape, “common” standards for education seemingly get a bad rap, but they’re useful, particularly…
The 2 edtech fields with the most potential under Trump
The tumultuous early weeks of the Trump administration have produced plenty of headlines and controversy, but almost nothing on higher education. The nominee for Secretary of Education, Betsy…
4 good computer habits every teacher should have
They say computers make life easier. I say they sometimes make our lives miserable. During the past two years, I've visited Apple’s Genius Bar eight times. I've watched…
3 tips for finding the best teacher-helpful edtech
Learning how to effectively use and implement new classroom edtech requires educators to spend their most valuable currency: time. Time spent troubleshooting technology in the classroom is wasted,…
Teachers in one district urged to learn in their pajamas
Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these [teachers] from the swift completion of their [PD]. You may be thinking of mail couriers, but…
Does your district need this innovative App Approval Tool?
At the core of every change initiative is the desire to breathe new life into the organization―to revitalize ways of thinking, behaving, and working. Nearly four years ago,…
First national academic 3D printing conference launches
Registration is now open for the first national academic 3D printing conference, Construct3D 2017, which will bring together leaders and educators in the digital fabrication discipline of 3D…
Why are rural schools still struggling with high-speed internet access?
Despite federal and state progress to expand high-speed internet access to more schools across the nation, rural school districts are still playing catch-up. Now, new efforts offer opportunities…
First-ever online library of edtech pricing data launches for school districts
The Technology for Education Consortium (TEC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving K-12 edtech procurement, today at FETC 2017 launched the TEC Data Platform.
5 big takeaways from redesigning learning spaces
The U.S. Department of Education and the Illinois State Board of Education had already recognized our schools in Kildeer Countryside ... Read more
New buzzphrase for IT has massive implications for personalized learning
The convergence of technologies is leading to “Digital Cohesion,” a future in which technology anticipates the needs of users and seamlessly delivers services on demand.
4 tips for making your data usable
K-12 and higher education institutions around the country have invested in data visualization software with the promise of better information and insights. Unfortunately, there can be lots of…
How 4 visionary schools are venturing into a new mixed reality
A new collaboration between Pearson and Microsoft is using a self-contained holographic computer to develop "mixed reality" learning experiences for students.
Report: Broadband access making ‘dramatic’ progress
Eighty-eight percent of U.S. school districts have reached the minimum connectivity--100 kbps per student, as recommended by the Federal Communications Commission--to help students effectively use technology in the…
3 K-12 ransomware threats and solutions
In February 2016, South Carolina’s Horry County School District was forced to pay a $10,000 ransom to unlock critical data and systems following a ransomware attack. This certainly…
7 signs of effective IT infrastructure
Seminole County Public Schools (SCPS) ranks among the largest public education systems in the U.S., with 67,000 students across 67 schools—and we’re continuing to grow, adding nearly 1,000…
How does your district’s broadband stack up?
A free tool from nonprofit EducationSuperHighway is intended to help district technology leaders compare broadband and connectivity information with other districts nearby and across the nation. Compare &…
IT#1: What’s next in ed-tech? These 18 trends
I do a lot of speaking about ed-tech trends, and none of my talks seem to get larger audiences than those that address new or emerging technologies. Part…
IT #2: 3 reasons why AI is education’s future
If you ask kids today why phrases like “hang up” the phone or “roll down” the window exist, chances are they’ll have no idea. Fast-forward to the near…
First MakerBot Innovation Center at a high school opens
A MakerBot Innovation Center is a popular, large-scale option for universities that want to offer students wider access to 3D printing to teach ideation, problem solving, and iteration.…
8 steps to evaluating ed-tech products
Even the best-designed technology pilots still involve a certain amount of trial and error when it comes to ed-tech products. Now, a new eight-step framework from Digital Promise…
10 essential skills for today’s technology leader
Leading a school district in the digital age can be both exhilarating and formidable. Technology has proven to enhance the educational experience of students and educators, preparing everyone…
The 4 most common mistakes districts make in professional development
Across the globe, teachers are continually asked to integrate technology into their curriculums to keep up with future-ready skills and in turn they complain that they need more…
Going digital? 5 tips for a smooth start
As schools look to modernize teaching and personalize learning, technology is becoming an indispensable tool in the classroom. Though technology ... Read more
Down with OTT? 3 ways this technology is a new must for education
There’s a new catch phrase in town, and it has massive implications for blended and online learning, especially as OER use begins to ramp up in schools and…
5 infrastructure concerns for district technology leaders
The growing need for more internet bandwidth is being pushed by an increase in the number of students with devices, according to CoSN's Annual Infrastructure Survey. Increases in…
How today’s tech departments are moving into the future
Tech directors are a busy lot these days. With big changes to federal funding models, pressing bandwidth needs (on campus ... Read more
6 things schools can do to ensure student data privacy
Student data privacy is quite a different topic from the headlines most people read concerning data breaches. It is not ... Read more
Students want more digital learning outside of the classroom
The need for digital learning content in classrooms is nothing new, but teachers, parents and students are becoming more vocal in their desire to provide or have access…
3 steps we’re taking to ensure true digital equity
Across the nation, school districts are investing in one-to-one computing programs and supplying digital devices for their students to use ... Read more
Georgia district creates homework zones via wi-fi buses
Georgia’s Liberty County School System to outfit its school bus fleet with wi-fi in an effort to extend the school ... Read more
Report: More states are taking steps to protect student privacy
A new analysis from the Data Quality Campaign shows more and more states are taking steps to ensure student privacy ... Read more