Data Science

Personalized Learning

Staff Picks: Big Data, EdTech, SOPA/PIPA

Tom picks an article on increased data to develop finer-tuned praise and feedback for students. Karen picks an article by one of our guest bloggers on shifting the classroom to technology. Caroline picks an article discussing how the public helped turn over SOPA and PIPA in Congress. Sarah picks a post on the recent SOPA and PIPA bills that turned over this week.

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

Are you ready for the era of ‘big data’?

“Radical customization, constant experimentation, and novel business models will be new hallmarks of competition as companies capture and analyze huge volumes of data. “ The McKinsey Quarterly ran a great article last month calling the question, Are you ready for the era of ‘big data’? Their five big questions are adapted here for education.

EdTech

David McCandless: The Beauty of Data Visualization

David McCandless turns complex data sets (like worldwide military spending, media buzz, Facebook status updates) into beautiful, simple diagrams that tease out unseen patterns and connections. Good design, he suggests, is the best way to navigate information glut.

EdTech

David Wiley: Access to Knowledge Initiative, BYU

Imagine going to the doctor and telling her that you cannot tell her how you feel because you don't trust her to do the right thing with the data you are providing. Yes, well, this happens every day in the education system, when learners' data is not put in the hands of the right people -- teachers -- so that they can make the right adjustments on time and with the most impact.