EdTech 10: The Big Easy and Beyond

Feeling inspired and empowered from last week’s iNACOL 2014 Symposium–the best blended and online learning conference on the calendar–we returned to Getting Smart World Headquarters for a brief respite before immediately heading to NOLA for the Louisiana Smart Growth Summit. This week’s top EdTech news includes news from The Big Easy and abroad.

Blended Schools & Tools

1. Listify. We released two blockbuster lists that featured our favorite schools to visit and leaders from #iNACOL14.


2. Fact. A Gates Foundation funded Rand report indicated that schools deploying personalized learning strategies are making greater gains in math and reading than comparable schools. Studied charter schools are also adopting similar practices such as personal learning paths, competency-based progression and flexible learning environments. The next study will include district schools using similar strategies.

3. Checking in on OERs. State of the States: Open Educational Resources in K-12 Education is a new report from the Council of Chief State School Officers that shares findings on the current use of OERs.

4. Moving on up. WestEd measured the impact of MIND Research Institute’s ST Math Program and found that technology can have an immediate impact in outcomes.  

5. Always improving. Expanding on the already comprehensive and effective Ready® Mathematics program, Curriculum Associates has included a student online activities and a student center-book to further develop student understanding, problem solving and procedural fluency. Read more here.  

Digital Developments

6. Citizenry. Edgenuity launched a new curriculum designed to help students become better digital citizens and online learners dubbed “Online Learning and Digital Citizenship.” (See feature on the Learning.com Digital Citizenship App.)

7. Use your blinker. Incubated at 4.0 Schools in NOLA. Joselyn and Nicole announced the launch of blink blink in while at the Smart Growth Summit. We love the formula: girls + STEM + maker + crafts!!

Dollars & Deals

8. Count it. Course Hero pulled in $15 million in support led by GSV Capital. More on the work here.

  9. Mission Possible. The Deloitte’s RightStep Innovation grant is awarding $100k cash and $100k in pro bono services to a social mission-driven education organizations using technology to help drive successful outcomes for K-12 students. The deadline to apply is December 5 so apply soon! 

Smart Cities

10. Smart Dialogue. New tools and new learning strategies make it possible to create a city that offers every citizen high quality learning experiences. At #iNACOL we were joined by contributors of Smart Cities as we opened up a dialogue on sparking an urban revolution.

Curriculum Associates and MIND Research Institute are Getting Smart Advocacy Partners.

Getting Smart Staff

The Getting Smart Staff believes in learning out loud and always being an advocate for things that we are excited about. As a result, we write a lot. Do you have a story we should cover? Email [email protected]

Discover the latest in learning innovations

Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

0 Comments

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. All fields are required.