EdTech

Top 10 Stories in Education in 2011

After reflecting on the ed-tech space over the last year, I have aggregated the top 10 stories in education (technology). Where the pieces settle will be largely up to the oncoming year, but we think the following trends have the potential to hugely change the education landscape.

Personalized Learning

Education Evolving: Five Predictions for Higher Education—2012

An adult with a bachelor’s degree will earn about one third more over a lifetime than someone who doesn’t complete college. And today’s employers are increasingly requiring degrees as a prerequisite for high-skill jobs. To remain employable and guarantee financial security during extended careers and into retirement, millions more Americans must commit to obtaining a higher education.

EdTech

Q&A: Director of Online Academic Management at Rasmussen College

We had the opportunity to interview Ann Morgan, the Director of Online Academic Management at Rasmussen College. In this role, she oversees the academic delivery of online degree programs at the college. Learn more about her thoughts on the quality of online education and new advancements in online learning.

Personalized Learning

The Largest Myth About Educational User Experiences Today

The largest myth about educational user experiences today is that great user experience is about visual design and graphics. If we make it pretty and easy to navigate, we have created a good user experience, right? In reality, visual design is the icing on the cake. If we don’t put the right ingredients into our user experiences, visuals and graphics will do little good.

Personalized Learning

How EdTech Will Benefit Low Income Students

Digital learning won’t necessarily close the achievement gap between income groups, but it will lift the floor. More students will be more academically successful. Five years from now, a higher percentage of students will soon graduate from high school ready for college and careers. Most will have benefited from Common Core expectations. Some will have benefited from Race to the Top funded programs. Many will have benefited from these 10 reasons that digital learning will benefit low income students.

EdTech

10 Smart Lessons from Our Teachers in 2011

This past year, we've enjoyed some great posts by our team of Smart Teachers who have brought new, innovative ideas to the classroom. Below, we have compiled our favorite lessons from teachers this year that cover everything from mobile learning to social media to generation gaps.

EdTech

Year in Review: 11 Reflections From 2011

In November 2010, in his most important speech, Arne Duncan called for more productivity during this 'new normal' period of lower revenue. As our second 'new normal' year draws to a close, the challenges are numerous but the inflection is clear -- the shift to personal digital learning is on and innovations in learning are accelerating!

Personalized Learning

OER and the Achievement Gap

Justin Reich posted an interesting blog on his edtech site suggesting that Open Educational Resources will expand rather than contract the achievement gap. It caused a bit of an uproar. Where states and districts are proactive about extending learning opportunities, the preparation gap will narrow and that means more young people will have a shot at participating in the idea economy.

Personalized Learning

Why Don’t We Value Spatial Intelligence?

Consider this. Ever since you were a kid, can you remember taking a standardized test that didn’t have a math or verbal section? I can’t. Pretty much all of them have math, science, English, reading, and maybe writing sections. Even when you got to high school, and you took the SAT or ACT, there were verbal, math, and science sections.