For many students and educators, EdTech leaders and Edupreneurs, this was the first week back in the classroom or the office. For many it was a continuation of progress made over the holidays. Fresh with optimism for what lies ahead in 2016, this week was big for news in education and EdTech. This week’s top 10 news stories…
Blended Schools & Tools
Schools worth visiting. New Schools Venture fund is highlighting in series of blog posts schools in their Catapult 2015 cohort. Schools include Roots Elementary, Brooklyn Lab (read how LAB is personalizing math and success skills) and A+UP — three elementary schools worth visiting.
Learn more abt Catapult schools @ThrivePS @RootsElementary @IntrinsicSchool @DetroitAcademy https://t.co/qA24qfhBnG pic.twitter.com/u9sj1iiqjG
— NewSchools (@nsvf) December 18, 2015
Going for chrome. The case continues to build that Google is sweeping the K-12 competition when it comes to devices and software with Google Apps and Chromebooks. In an article in the San Jose Mercury Times, Michelle Quinn shares the market and legal implications and what parents are saying.
#Google is becoming U.S. K-12 schools’ operating system https://t.co/s3N9LLxJkI via @MercNews #EdTech10 — tyler (@post_west) January 5, 2016
Digital Developments
Empire state of mind. New from the New York State Online Learning Advisory Council is a report that shares recommendations to support the development and expansion of online learning opportunities for students. Recommendations include: Implementing PD programs to expand instructional skills, and providing certain waivers of regulations that will reduce the risk for teachers and schools as they implement new online learning programs — two recs that resonate deeply with Getting Smart on Transformative PD.
NY State Issues Recommendations To Support #Blended and #OnlineLearning https://t.co/pjNrTNsnoC via @THE_Journal #EdTech10 #BlendedLearning
— Jessica Slusser (@Jess_Slusser) January 5, 2016
Dollars & Deals
The opening bell. In a Market Brief on Education Week, Sean Cavanagh shared what to look for in the K-12 marketplace in 2016. Meanwhile, Tom shared six strategies for sparking and aggregating demand for better EdTech products/services.
Improving the #K12 #EdTech market https://t.co/Nyg2AVu5bF @Getting_Smart
— Tom Vander Ark (@tvanderark) January 3, 2016
Higher, Deeper, Further, Faster Learning
Ch-ch-ch-changes. As students begin to realize that the old bargain that a degree no longer guarantees employment is broken, HigherEd is responding with changes. In this blog on The Atlantic, HigherEd experts share their reasons for optimism. We are exploring the changing landscape of postsecondary as part of GenDIY project.
7 in 10 seniors who completed their degrees at colleges in 2014 graduated with #studentdebt https://t.co/9aVhkX7t4T #GenDIY #HigherEd — tyler (@post_west) January 5, 2016
APt to be on time. Jill Barshay in The Hechinger Report shared College Board research that found, much of what we already assumed but didn’t have the research to prove — earning college credit in high school, through opportunities like AP, improves the probability of graduating on time. Early college high schools like Simon’s Rock and Career Path High have already mastered this.
Those who score 3, 4 or 5 on AP exams are more likely to graduate from college in 4 years https://t.co/RJ5gq64yqF via @jillbarshay #EdTech10 — tyler (@post_west) January 5, 2016
Let’s Get Personalized
A must read. On the iNACOL blog, Chris Sturgis Co-Founder of CompetencyWorks, penned a blog that shares challenges teachers face when required to teach grade-level standards—when students’ knowledge is two to three (or more) academic levels lower or higher. For more from Chris, here are the top 15 CompetencyWorks of 2015 to catch up on.
Tackling the #competencyed elephant: 4 issues to overcome to teach students in their zone of proximal development https://t.co/wZKRAjdJsI — iNACOL (@nacol) January 5, 2016
Competency come up. On The EdFly Blog, our friends at The Foundation for Excellence in Education featured a report from Politico Florida that highlights the progress of three school districts in Sunshine State that have begun implementing competency-based education pilot programs.
It’s no secret we’re excited about #CompetencyEd. Check out latest post on #Edfly blog: https://t.co/nt1xN7AL2f — ExcelinEd (@ExcelinEd) January 4, 2016
Teachers & Tech-ers
Tweet your way to Austin. SXSWedu has teamed up with TES to send educators to SXSWedu by giving away 100 free registration badges. Use the hashtag #TESInnovates on social media to demonstrate how they innovate the classroom experience. Using the hashtag will automatically enter you into the giveaway. Want to go but aren’t on social media? Check out the educator’s guide to social media.
Tweet your way to @SXSWedu https://t.co/TelvyC4AXs #SXSWedu #SXSW — tyler (@post_west) January 5, 2016
Movers, Shakers & Groundbreakers
New Topdog. Blackboard named William “Bill” Ballhaus, previously from SRA International, as their new Chairman, President & CEO. Are you a new leader of a school or district and finding yourself in an EdTech mess? Here’s what you do.
.@Blackboard welcomes Bill Ballhaus as CEO https://t.co/PBVMUmDCME #EdTech10 — tyler (@post_west) January 5, 2016
For more EdTech 10’s check out:
- EdTech 10: 2015 News Stories Worth Remembering in 2016
- EdTech 10: A Come Up From the Nation’s Capital
- EdTech 10: Change is the Only Constant
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