Getting Smart Staff

EdTech 10: Season’s In Full Swing

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Now that the MLB 2015 season is off and running, we are ready to kick off the spring season of EdTech 10. For students, educators, and admins, this time of year is the final rounding of the bases to summer. This week we recognized all-stars with the CODiEs and DILAs, dove deep into the future of assessment, and whether it was state policy, coding awareness, or new acquisitions, we arrived in spring with welcomed inspiration and hope for the year ahead.

Digital Developments

Playoffs. Finalists in the only peer-recognized award program in the content, education, and software industries, the SIIA CODiE Awards, were announced and includes Getting Smart Advocacy Partners such as DreamBox Learning, MIND Research Institute, and Fuel Education.

State of States. The Digital Learning Report Card from Digital Learning Now explores state progress in implementing policies that support student access to quality digital learning. The 2015 report card will be the fourth annual Report Card and will be released later in April. Until then read previews on the Sunshine State, Grand Canyon State, and the Buckeye State.  

MVPs. In a blog penned in part by Karen Cator (who we recently talked impact opportunities with), the 2nd annual Digital Innovation in Learning Awards (DILAs) were launched by Digital Promise and EdSurge. Educators, admins, and orgs can apply by sharing what they’re accomplishing in EdTech, and more importantly, how they’re accomplishing it.

Dollars & Deals

Blockbuster Buyout. During a time when cataloging credentials is vital when it comes to employability, the LinkedIn acquisition of Lynda.com signals a shift for portfolio platforms to integrate with content providers. For a price tag of $1.5 billion, this cash and stock deal will provide LinkedIn access to a robust library of video tutorials, courses, and learning content.

1-2-3-4, $5M for Music. Every student should experience a powerful performing arts experience. With this in mind, when we learned that Tonara raised $5 million from Baidu, we were immediately excited at the thought of what this means for student users developing maker mindsets through performing arts.  

Stem Gems

Mastering Math Standards. Getting Smart Advocacy Partner Curriculum Associates released a new resource this week that gives insight and strategies into the four common core math standards. “Mastering the Most Challenging Math Standards with Rigorous Instruction” covers measurement, modeling, fractions and statistics.  

#AlwaysCoding. Pearson announced the winners of the 2nd Annual Student Coding Contest. The contest is designed to increase awareness of the importance of a computer science education. Undergrads from across the US and Canada competed by showcasing how their apps improve learning. Check out this short video of the three winners, dive into our Getting Smart Bundle: Coding For College & Career Readiness, and continue the conversation with #AlwaysCoding.

Policy Pieces

ESEA Update. This week the Senate Education Committee began examining the long-awaited reauthorization of Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The early focus was aimed at giving states opportunities to reduce the amount of time students spend of testing and test prep.

The Big “D”

Protecting Students, Empowering Parents. Georgia passed the Student Data Privacy, Accessibility and Transparency Act, the first of it’s kind to protect student data and improve access for parents creating empowerment and driving personalized learning. The Foundation for Excellence in Education, Getting Smart Advocacy Partner, has created a model legislation and is ready to help states modernize stale laws.

Movers, Shakers & Groundbreakers

Reimagining HigherEd. Collaboration between Southern New Hampshire University’s College for America and Match Education on Match Beyond is a reminder that innovation isn’t exclusive to EdTech. It’s edupreneurs that are recognizing their leadership in partnerships harnessing innovation that can benefit poorly served communities.

Extra Innings

COllaborating. The Learning Accelerator, believers in effective principal leadership, announced a state partnership with the Colorado Dept. of Education and The Colorado Education Initiative to advance a large-scale efforts to make student-centered learning available to students in Colorado.

For previous editions of EdTech 10, 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]

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