Posts by Getting Smart Staff

EdTech

Infographic: Student Access to Digital Learning Devices

Digital Learning Now! (DLN) today released “Funding the Shift to Digital Learning: Three Strategies for Funding Sustainable High-Access Environments,” the first in the DLN Smart Series of interactive papers that provide specific guidance regarding adoption of Common Core Standards and the shift to personal digital learning.

EdTech

Q&A: California Saves Science Learning

Chris Roe, CEO of California STEM Learning Network (CSLNet) shares with Getting Smart how the state saved science funding for new initiatives in STEM, Common Core State Standards, teacher preparation, and more.

Ed Policy

Curriculum Associates Releases New ‘Ready’ Program For Common Core

Curriculum Associates, LLC, has introduced an all-new print program to ensure student success on the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Built specifically for the new standards and using the language of the CCSS, Ready™ Common Core offers students in grades 3–8 rigorous instruction and practice in math and reading while also offering teachers multilevel resources and tools to easily implement these lessons.

EdTech

Should Your School Replace Textbooks With Ereaders?

This February, President Barack Obama and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan challenged the nation to transition to digital textbooks in the next five years. Only a month prior, Apple announced the ever so controversial iBooks 2 for iPad, which partnered the biggest leaders in publishing, put textbook writing in the hands of many, and drove down the cost of classroom reading (with the exception of the cost of the iPad). As the shift to digital picks up momentum, administrators and educators have rushed to adopt 1:1 programs with iPads, Chromebooks, and netbooks. Yet, what about ereaders?

EdTech

Staff Picks: RTT-D, Digital Tools

Tom Picks “RTT-District: Scaling Personalizing Innovations“ Tom says, “The $383 million school district federal grant program  will help two dozen US districts make the shift to personal digital learning.” Karen Picks “20 Schools Innovating With Digital Tools” Karen says, “It is good to see the…

EdTech

SMARTtech Roundup: Blended Learning, STEM & Apps

Blended Schools & Tools RTT-D pushes for personalized learning. RttT-D kicked off the $400 million competition for increased personalized learning. CRPE says portfolio schools have the advantage. Tom comments, adds a list of 10 questions for districts, and contributes a  list of 35 blogs lends help…

EdTech

ClassDojo Lands $1.6M to Improve Student Character & Behavior

Today ClassDojo, the first free digital character building and behavior management service for teachers, is officially launching out of beta and announcing $1.6 million in seed funding from some of the most well known start-up investors in the world. The company is also announcing exciting milestones including viral growth to more than 3.5 million teachers and students in more than 30 countries in just 10 months, solidifying its place as the fastest growing education company ever.

EdTech

Q&A: Visualize Learning Concepts

Conceptboard, a German-based technology company, hit the market in early 2011 and has caught the attention of high school educators and students in the U.S. Taking a few cues from the popular social media platform Pinterst, Conceptboard has harnessed the creation of visual boards for learning and productivity.

EdTech

Q&A: Students Take a Social Science Stance & Leverage Tech

This July and August, educators and students from around the U.S. participated in the Microsoft Partners in Learning 2012 U.S. Forum, which showcases and celebrates innovative teaching. Ericha Anderson and Alicia Cast from Chinook Elementary in Vancouver, Wash. participated in the forum and shared their "Snake River Dam Removal? You Decide!" project, which required students to research, track, and develop opinions around the local Snake River Damn Proposal.