Archive: 2012
EdTech

DIY: Hiring Coders & Developers

Tom Vander Ark

"Coders are tough to find since nearly every industry is looking for them and they are also able to start their own company," said Alan Louie, the founder of the edtech incubator ImagineK12. He continued, "There's no magic bullet to finding them. It's old-fashioned networking based on sharing your exciting idea that will change the world through education. Current employees, meet-ups, startup-weekends, friends and family, ex-coworkers, industry friends are all people to tap."
Leadership

Photo Story: The School Fund Travels to Tanzania & Nairobi Providing Scholarships

Guest Author

The School Fund is dedicated to increasing access to education for high school students in the developing world by providing high achieving students with scholarships. We support 250 students from 13 countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America. This summer we returned to our roots in East Africa where we met up with old friends, and made some new ones.
EdTech

Blackboard Collaborate Goes Mobile

Getting Smart Staff

This June, Blackboard, Inc. increased its mobile offerings. The learning management system (LMS) provider launched its collaborative Web tool, Blackboard Collaborate, in app form under private beta with select K-12 and higher education institutions. Blackboard Collaborate Mobile allows educators and students to Web conference, share content, instant message, respond to surveys, raise hands, and more from tablets and smartphones.
EdTech

Got iPads? Now Get Apple TV

Alison Anderson

"Some things never change" is not a quote heard very often in the field of educational technology, where we are constantly striving to stay caught up with the development of everything digital. Still, it can be a very true statement in the classroom.
Personalized Learning

Why the Next Four Years Will Be Better

Tom Vander Ark

The shift to digital learning is a bigger deal than the printing press and it will happen in a decade rather than a century. It’s the best shot we have at boosting achievement and access to quality. And, behind the scenes, it’s rapid and efficient learning that is driving a new wave of corporate competitiveness that make the economy of the next four years better than most people think.
Leadership

Good Work: When Bliss doesn’t pay the Bills

Tom Vander Ark

Dave Matthews was on NPR last night. He said, “There's some thing about those moments of bliss,” he explained to Guy Raz. “My dad always said to find your bliss…and then pursue it.” Matthews never thought he’d still be touring at 45 “but the moments of bliss make it hard to walk away—it's akin to an addiction, when the joy is so big its like being a kid, that laughter, that spontaneity is hunger inducing." But what if your bliss doesn't pay the bills?
Personalized Learning

Quick Guide to the Common Core: Key Expectations Explained

Getting Smart Staff

Since the Common Core State Standards were introduced, there has been much discussion about what they mean for educators and students and how they will impact teaching and learning. While the standards have been adopted by 45 states and 3 territories so far, there is a lot of concern, anxiety, and debate around what is best for students, potential challenges for teachers, and what implementation should and can look like.
EdTech

11 Tools to Turn Your Students Into Academic Superstars

Guest Author

I remember as an undergrad, I looked forward each August to the release of the official university student planner. That planner represented a fresh start: blank days to be filled with color-coded due dates, study group get-togethers, my work schedule at the bakery in the mall, and football tailgate details.
EdTech

Staff Picks: Edtech, Digital Learning

Getting Smart Staff

Caroline says, "I love the idea of bringing services like speech therapy to students no matter where they live. Blended learning is proving to be powerful for students with special needs. These students should not be limited by geographic location or school resources when it comes to their learning needs."