EdTech
Education Technology is a multi-billion dollar sector of companies innovating in both software and hardware for teaching, learning, and running schools, districts, and state and federal education departments. We document some of the most essential technical innovations and companies that support learning, teaching and more.
EdTech
Badges Will Be Big
We need a great Common Core-aligned merit badge system that motivates and recognizes achievement. It should be free and open. Badges should be awarded based on multiple forms of assessment. Badges should be linked to multiple forms of instruction. Badges will be a core component of emerging learning platform ecosystems.
EdTech
Jobs for the Future Launches Project On Student-Centered Learning
Jobs for the Future (JFF) recently released three papers as the beginning of a series in its new project "Students at the Center: Teaching and Learning in the Era of the Common Core." The first three papers focus on: What student-centered teaching and instruction looks like; How school districts can approach student-centered learning; and The brain function behind effective learning.
EdTech
SmartTech Roundup: New Developments in Learning
Apptastic Khan Academy recently released an iPad app for its STEM-related videos. Angry Birds is coming out with Angry Birds Space, a new app that may actually hold some educational value around STEM topics in physics and math. Sesame Street is back – on apps!…
EdTech
12 Findings on Mind, Brain & Education
Mind, Brain, and Education is the first in a nine paper series from JFF called Students at the Center. Like all of JFF's work, the series focuses on helping students from all backgrounds graduate ready for post secondary education and the 21st century knowledge economy. Student-centered learning, according to JFF, provides "flexible learning experiences that enable students at various levels to build toward mastery of a common set of core skills. A commitment to addressing the individual needs and goals of each student is at the core of the model.
EdTech
iNACOL Releases 5 Policy Reforms for Online Learning
The International Association for K-12 Online Learning's (iNACOL) Director of Policy, David Teeter, recently published "Online Learning: Top 5 Federal Policy Issues Brief," which takes a close look at reforms to improve student-centered, competency-based policies for online learning.
EdTech
Q&A: PLATO Launches New Virtual Academy
PLATO Learning introduced PLATO Virtual Academy earlier this March to deliver flexible, standards-based courses with certified, online teachers to meet the needs of 21st century learners. The PLATO Virtual Academy will begin helping students with summer school 2012 implementations, with over 50 virtual courses across a wide range of subject areas.
EdTech
SmartTech Roundup: Cheaper & Better Edu
Better & Cheaper Post Secondary Textbook rental service Chegg scored $25 million to make the transition to digital. Texas A&M responded to Governor Perry’s call for a $10,000 degree with a $9,700 IT degree. We’ll soon see Don Kilburn’s group at Pearson powering more lost…
EdTech
Good Work: Edupreneurs Making a Difference
Wendy and Kim created new pathways to teaching and to building school networks. But what’s new and exciting is that a growing percentage of students graduating from elite institution want to start companies and they want to do it in education. New application development platforms, the mobile inflection, and viral adoption (an alternative to the district sales slog) have made it possible for a team to gain traction with a $500,000 investment instead of $5 million.
EdTech
6 Trends at SXSW Interactive
Technology leaders, entrepreneurs, startup innovators, and a whole lot of tech nerds gathered in Austin, Texas this weekend for SXSW Interactive. Among the countless sessions, mobile exhibitors, flashy technology, and app notifications, a few key trends rose to the surface.
EdTech
Edmodo: From Social Network to Learning Platform
Like Facebook, the platform is free and easy to use. Edmodo grew to 6 million users almost entirely through teacher adoption. The coming app store means lots of new features for the 2012-13 season.