Getting Smart Staff

EdTech 10: Launches, Reports and Transitions

Share

It has been a big week for reports from Digital Learning Now and Pearson, launches from Knewton and IMS Global, and transitions for companies like Scholastic and leaders like Heather Staker.

As our nation celebrates the national and state teachers of the year, it’s worth stepping back to examine the role of HR departments in fostering next-gen environments for teachers to blossom in.

West Virginia, Ohio, Arizona, and Florida were among the states we profiled in anticipation for this week’s launch of the 2014 Digital Learning Report Card (details below).

We’ve also been busy preparing for the launch of “Preparing Leaders for Deeper Learning” with blogs from co-author Karen Cator on lessons learned on leadership from Digital Promise’s League of Innovative Schools, and ways EdLeaders can develop skills in six areas of deeper learning.

Have EdTech news in mind that should make next week’s list? Tweet it with #EdTech10.

Digital Developments

Making The Grade. Earlier this week Getting Smart Advocacy Partner Digital Learning Now released their fourth annual Digital Learning Report Card that evaluates state progress in advancing high quality learning opportunities for students. Many states made great progress this year, how did your state rank?

Data Shaken, Not Stirred. Education partners can now track district capital improvement projects with SchoolBondFinder.com. Launched by the Amos Group, this is the first comprehensive service that uncovers relevant capital projects, and tracks progress of districts to support organizations in the bond funding process.  

Put A Badge On It. IMS Global, with support from Mozilla Open Badges, the MacArthur Foundation, and the Badge Alliance announced the launch of the IMS Digital Credentialing Initiative. The initiative will build on IMS’s leadership in competency-based learning, by aiming to further the adoption, integration and transferability of digital credentials, including badges, within institutions, schools, and corporations.

N00bs Welcome. Digital Compass is a new interactive gaming platform that supports students grade 6 to 9 in learning digital literacy and citizenship skills. Creative credit, self-image and identity are among the issues addressed on the platform based on lessons from Common Sense Education’s K-12 Digital Literacy and Citizenship Curriculum.  

Blended Schools & Tools

Getting Personal. Personalized Print Learning Solutions is a new system from Knewton and HP designed to make adaptive learning materials available across print and digital platforms. With the system, publishers can create personalized print content for schools that primarily rely on printed text.  

Dollars & Deals

Done Deal. Scholastic’s EdTech arm will now be under the umbrella of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH). The two sides reached an agreement that totaled $575 million in cash. This acquisition positions HMH as the preeminent leader in intervention curricula and services. Scholastic’s Read 180 is included in this move.

Stem Gems

Reporting Back. Pearson has highlighted how MyLab & Mastering supports engagement among HigherEd students studying STEM in a report dubbed, the 2015 Science and Engeineering Efficacy Report, v.5. The report focuses on identifying “at-risk” (better known as “opportunity youth”), adaptive learning, flipping classrooms, and student engagement.

Higher, Deeper, Further, Faster Learning

Horn On HigherEd. Our friend and fellow disruptive innovator Michael Horn shared some important news and insights this week on the state of online and blended learning in HigherEd. His recent Forbes article looks at the limitations of data from the annual Babson report and reflects on big news this week from ASU, the announcement of an online freshman year option in partnership with edX. We agree with Michael, this is a big deal.

The Big “D”

To Whom It May Concern. In response to the US Senate Committee on Health, Ed, Labor & Pensions’ paper on consumer information, PostsecData submitted a letter in an effort to assist the committee as it works to improve HigherEd policy. The letter by the collaborative that’s made up of 27 supporting organizations recommends the creation of a student unit record system at the federal level, and protocols for ensuring the privacy and security of student data.

Movers, Shakers & Groundbreakers

Rule of Three. Elaine Shuck was sworn in as President of the US Distance Learning Association. Heather Staker made the shift to adjunct fellow at the Christensen Institute and launched ReadyToBlend. Deborah Gist is also settling into her new role in Tulsa after securing the position earlier this month.

For past EdTech 10s, check out:

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.

Related Reading

0 Comments

Leave a Comment

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