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

1:1 in Peru Suggests Instruction is Important

Tom Vander Ark

The OLPC program in Peru appears to be content-light and naive. Kids appears to spend a lot of time on non-academic software (which may have some cognitive benefit) but there is no evidence that student spend more time reading. Unlike top blended models in the states, UNESCO points out that "the time allocated to activities directly related to school does not seem to have changed." With no effort to change time and literacy and numeracy instruction it is not surprising that academic impacts appear to be weak.

EdTech

Portugal’s 1:1 Initiative Propels PISA Improvement

Tom Vander Ark

The Portugal model of subsidized sliding scale hardware and connectivity is a great example for states to consider as they consider development of high access learning environments over the next three years in preparation for and adoption of the Common Core State Standards and online assessments. If Portugal and Turkey can figure this out, leaders of each of these United States should be able to orchestrate the development of 21st century learning environments.
EdTech

6 Leading Trends at SXSWedu

Getting Smart Staff

SXSWedu in Austin, Texas this week brought many innovative ideas to the forefront of discussion. Here are six trends that stood out in sessions, discussions, and more.
EdTech

SXSWedu Brings Positive Discourse to Edu Challenges & Solutions

Getting Smart Staff

SXSWedu in Austin, Texas this week brought an enthusiasm to productive discourse around the challenges in education and the tools that hold the potential to improve it. Keynoters Marjorie Scardino, CEO of Pearson, and Secretary Arne Duncan spoke about the importance of informal learning, assessment, global competitiveness, and preparation for the next generation of learning.
EdTech

LearningJar & BloomBoard Win SXSWedu’s LAUNCHedu

Getting Smart Staff

LearningJar (Higher Ed) and BloomBoard (K-12) won the LAUNCHedu challenge at SXSWedu in Austin, Texas Wednesday among six higher ed and six K-12 startup projects. Both groups were awarded a trip to San Francisco to meet with venture capital firms, a consultation with the Advisory Board, and a one-on-one media relations consultation.
EdTech

10 Conversations at COSN

Tom Vander Ark

The COSN conference is underway in Washington DC. School district edtech directors find themselves in a very dynamic situation these days. Here’s 10 of session and hallway conversation topics from yesterday:

EdTech

Education Must Move Center Stage in the Presidential Election

Tom Vander Ark

Joel Klein had a great oped in the Washington Post this morning. Like Joel, we're disappointed with the lack of focus on education on the campaign trail, "Until former senator Rick Santorum called President Obama “ a snob ” last month for wanting all Americans to attend college, education had been practically invisible in this presidential campaign."
EdTech

FLVS Offers Leadership & Professional Development Training for Online & Blended Learning

Getting Smart Staff

Florida Virtual School (FLVS) plans to offer a two-day Virtual Leadership Training (VLT) workshop April 25-26, 2012 to give school administrators expert feedback and training on the blueprint of its award-winning virtual school program. The FLVS Professional Learning Team also plans to offer FLVS Professional Development courses through the Custom Professional Development service year round and on demand through online webinars and face-to-face workshops.