EdTech 10: On The Come Up
With news like free programs for teachers to learn to how to code and build school websites, and the announcements of new fellows, a thought leading blog series, and investments, this week’s EdTech news was all about the come up. That’s to say this week was focused on successes and new opportunities to seize and succeed. In the spirit of progress, with teachers hacking instruction and engagement, parents skilling up with new resources, and new impact opportunities for Edupreneurs and philanthropy leaders we ask, how do we advance the public good?
Blended Schools & Tools
School sites. These days, your school website is crucial to your school’s success. Recognizing this is Wix, who launched WixEd, a free program that teaches Wix to teachers and district users what they need to know to launch their own website.
.@Wix Launches WixEd, Free Online School For Website Design http://t.co/vyPLMdbu6a @TechCrunch #EdTech10
— Tom Vander Ark (@tvanderark) July 13, 2015
Suitable environments. For school and districts looking to blend, Michael Horn shares in a blog on Edsurge the need to reimagine the physical architecture of schools and classrooms. We recently talked school design on the Getting Smart Podcast with Victoria Bergsagel, President of Architects of Achievement. Listen here.
#Blendedlearning environments requires reimagining school architecture + design says @michaelbhorn http://t.co/ALa7kMRypt #EdTech10 — Getting Smart (@Getting_Smart) July 14, 2015
Leading Leaders
Music City EdLeaders. In the spirit of our recently launched Preparing Leaders for Deeper Learning paper, is a new report from Brown’s Annenburg Institute for School Reform that shares how biannual principal leadership institutes have led to transformational change in Metro Nashville Public Schools.
Principal Leadership Institutes transform EdLeadership in Music City public schools http://t.co/WZ2wqtbvB3 #EdLeaders #EdTech10 — Bonnie Lathram (@belathram) July 14, 2015
Dollars & Deals
Padded Platforms. Chicago-based mLevel raised $5.3 million from Atlanta venture firm BIP Capital. The spinout of Slalom, focuses on digital content, using a “casual” learning platform to train workers of primarily Fortune 500s. We wouldn’t be surprised if mLevel includes features of next-gen platforms.
Corp. learning platform developers @mLevelLearning land $5.3 million from @BIPCapital http://t.co/IjyZ1AIDot via @CrainsChicago #EdTech10 — tyler (@post_west) July 14, 2015
Student Aid for Bootcamps. Financial tech startup Affirm, is it making possible for students at General Assembly, Bloc, (portfolio companies of Learn Capital where Tom is a partner), Kaplan’s Dev Bootcamp and Metis to secure 12, 15 and 18 month loans with interest rates ranging from 6 to 20 percent. This is welcomed news from GenDIY students who are exploring HigherEd options.
You can now pay to attend @GA, @trybloc & @thisismetis bootcamps with student loans http://t.co/wotJtY9mLV via @WIRED #EdTech10 #hourofcode — tyler (@post_west) July 14, 2015
Stem Gems
Robot Rock. DFRobot released Vortex an interactive, programmable robot aimed at students 6 and up. Robots and maker tech were center-stage at ISTE this year. Check out Tom’s blog on the implications of maker tech storming the expo floor in Philly.
.@dfrobotcn releases Vortex, robot that teaches students how to #code http://t.co/g4W7bBiERv #EdTech10 #hourofcode pic.twitter.com/ZUf6csU2fD — tyler (@post_west) July 14, 2015
EduCoding. Coding may be the most important language in the world right now. That’s why we were excited to learn that Sunburst Digital, Inc. and Tynker are partnering to provide a game-based programming platform for teachers to improve their coding skills.
New partnership of @gotynker & @sunburstdigital will make #coding & #programing in classrooms easier for #Ts #STEM http://t.co/AQ5O38rROE — Megan Mead (@MegMarMe) July 9, 2015
Let’s Get Personalized
Getting personal. In The Hechinger Report, Rebecca Wolfe shared why personalized learning is especially good for students of color. This shouldn’t come as a surprise to orgs who have succeeded in engaging students in personalized, blended models like AdvancePath Academics.
Why is #personalizedlearning especially good for students of color? http://t.co/OYfkS3x8cO @rewolfeJFF pic.twitter.com/QKF9xiiLKw
— Nellie Mae Ed. Fdn. (@NellieMaeEdFdn) July 8, 2015
First of many. Alongside OpenEd, the world’s largest resource library, we’ve launched a new blog series that explores how personalization is powering competency-based learning. Check out the first blog in the series, Formative Assessment to Initiate Personalized Learning.
Formative assessment = one of 1st steps to #personalizedlearning. Read more: http://t.co/SDEpw7qSnu @MegMarMe
— Getting Smart (@Getting_Smart) July 10, 2015
Movers, Shakers & Groundbreakers
Next stop, Kendall Square. The MIT Media Lab, preeminent thought leaders in all things media arts and sciences, announced their 2015 Director’s Fellows. We love lists of inspiring people. That’s why this year we featured 80 EdLeaders we met at ASU+GSV, 70 difference makers from SXSWedu, and 100+ edutweeters.
Announcing the 2015 @medialab Director’s Fellows https://t.co/Ffp4C20VSG #Edtech10 #MIT
— tyler (@post_west) July 10, 2015
For past EdTech 10’s, check out:
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