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This issue is sponsored by
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Early this year, we kicked off a project looking at the “State of Edtech.” We started by looking at broad trends, moved to investigate funding of edtech, chronicled how edtech products are evolving—and now, to cap it off, we’re looking at what all this means for schools. Take a read through our fourth and final chapter, entitled “How Schools Are Changing.” And yes, please: We truly want to hear about your school, too—look for the “Submit Your Story” button in the story. We’re listening!
LIVE FROM THE FIELD
WHEN IT COMES TO PERSONALIZED LEARNING, even the boldest administrators can sometimes feel daunted by the task of inspiring a community of teachers to move in a particular direction. For you, district admin and Fifty States writer Kevin Cuppett has some calming advice: Instead of moving mountains, seek out innovators and early adopter teachers and try plying the “Diffusion of Innovation” model. Here’s how his district, Frederick County Public Schools, is doing just that.
LET THEM BE HEARD: Teach a student to write—and guess what? You could wind up grading more than a 100 essays every week. Eeek. Happily, South Carolina admin and newest EdSurge columnist, Carla Jefferson, feels your pain, but she’s got a solution. Here’s her guide to flattening your classroom and encourage authentic writing through blogging—without the endless hours of grading.
Sponsored by Otus
ENTREPRENEUR IN THE CLASSROOM: 7th grade teacher Chris Hull was juggling numerous digital tools at school. Wanting to focus on learning instead of apps, Hull and his cofounders developed Otus—which organizes tools in what he calls a student performance platform. Hull, who continues to teach, says he’s most proud of how an idea launched in his classroom is now a solution that helps thousands of students and educators daily. So, where is Otus today—and how does Hull juggle teaching with entrepreneur-ing?
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The following is a message from our sponsor
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IPADS AND MORE
SCREENS EVERYWHERE: A new report released by San Francisco-based nonprofit Common Sense Media says that parents spend more than nine hours per day interacting with screen media—think tablets, phones and laptops. Ironically, the report also says that 56% of the 1,700 parents of children (age 8 to 18) surveyed are concerned that their children will or are becoming addicted to technology. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
ALL SCHOOL
SIRI WALKS INTO A LECTURE: When third-year students at BI Norwegian Business School have a question about their assignments next semester, odds are a robot will answer. Faculty and researchers are using chatbots to respond to FAQs and prompt discussions online. They even think these digital teaching assistants might boost student engagement.
GROWING UP ONLINE: It's that time of year again. We're busting out the decorations, putting on our winter clothes, and rounding up words of wisdom for our 2017 Personal Statements project. First up, edtech coach Chris Aviles shares thoughts on what's the hardest and best part about being a teenager now—and how growing up in the digital age is both a blessing and a curse.
PISA TESTING 1, 2, 3: Results for the 2015 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) were released this week, and not everybody's cheering. There are some lows—the triennial assessment found average math scores for American 15-year-olds have dropped since 2009, while scores for reading and science have stayed about the same. But there’s also good news: the U.S. is number one in the world for improving equity in science. Get the full coverage from EdSurge here.
Sponsored by the M.A. in Learning and Design at Georgetown University
LEARNING FROM THE INSIDE-OUT: Georgetown professor Edward Maloney says the university’s new master’s program in learning design signals a shift from traditional instructional design, which emphasizes interventions, to a more adaptive and student-centered approach. Learning designers, he writes, foster students’ creative and intellectual potential. He also shares seven reasons why learning design might be a fit for you.
SUBJECT-SPECIFIC: COMPUTER SCIENCE WEEK
CODING GETS ATHLETIC: December 5 kicked off another annual Computer Science Week, and with it, nonprofit Code.org is bringing a few more celebrities into the coding fold—think Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors and tennis star Serena Williams. Code.org CEO Hadi Partovi sat down with EdSurge to chat about the nonprofit’s newest offerings and why the world of sports could help solve the diversity problem in computer science.
DON’T FORGET THE TEACHERS: Jeffrey Martín has a message for all those excited for Hour of Code: it’s not just about teaching the students. Educators also need to understand a thing or two about coding, says Martín, founder of nonprofit honorCode, which provides curriculum and training to schools to help prep teachers to educate K-12 kids on coding. Martín sat down with EdSurge to discuss how you take your average math teacher from fractions and algebra to debugging and running programs.
IN-SCHOOL DEBATES
IS MINECRAFT JUST A GIMMICK? On November 20, a controversial article came out with a quote from Tom Bennett, director of ResearchEd, regarding popular STEM tool Minecraft: "I'm not a fan of Minecraft in lessons. This smacks to me of another gimmick which will get in the way of children actually learning." Is Minecraft just a ploy? According to MineGage CEO Garrett Zimmer, the debate is more of a wake-up call around properly identifying which edtech tools have the most impact.
S’COOL TOOLS
Free! VocabularySpellingCity—If students need extra vocabulary practice over the holidays, this site offers 35+ engaging word study games and activities for grade K-12 students to bone up on vocabulary, spelling, phonics, and writing. The app runs on either a computer or mobile device. Activities are aligned to state standards. Both free and premium subscriptions are available.
$4.99: Magicflix—Looking kid-appropriate online videos? Magicflix is worth a gander. The service has collected some 1600 videos from its kid-focused content partners. It starts iat $4.99/month and is available on Google Play or the App store.
LAST LINKS FOR LEARNING
Listen to this. Sound can predict children’s ability to read. (KQED)
Want to boost your ed news IQ? The Education Writers Association has a weekly quiz with the latest scoop. (EWA)
“It’s the size of the Eiffel Tower lying down.” Station F, the biggest startup campus in the world, is set to open next year in Paris. (TechCrunch)
Teens with autism inspire robotics clubs for everyone. (Seattle Times)
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Looking for a job in edtech? You’ve come to the right place. EdSurge has the leading edtech jobs board with openings from over 1,000 schools, nonprofits and companies.
While you're at it, let us help you find your dream job with our new matching service! Sign up for EdSurge Connect.
Communications and Marketing Manager Alpha Public Schools
The Communications and Marketing Manager will drive key communication and marketing efforts as Alpha Public Schools continues to grow.
Marketing · School · San Jose, CA
Entrepreneur in Residence Innovate Public Schools
Seeking seasoned leader who is passionate about personalized learning and excited to transform the lives of youth across the Bay Area to spend two years creating and executing on an innovative school network model for low-income students of color.
Executive · School · San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Upper School STEM CoordinatorCharles E. Smith Jewish Day School
The successful candidate will work directly with the Director of Instructional Technology and the Upper School Administrative Team and faculty to develop and implement exciting STEM experiences and curricula. divisions.
Teaching · School · Rockville, MD
Founding Principal (Fisher Fellow) KIPP Bay Area Schools
As a Founding Principal, leaders have the opportunity to design, launch and develop the elementary school of their dreams while benefitting from the support, connections and expertise of the broader KIPP network.
Executive · School · San Francisco, CA
Middle School Robotics and Engineering Teacher Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School
The candidate will work with the Director of Instructional Technology and the Administrative team to create Robotics experiences and curricula.
Teaching · School · Rockville, MD
Educational Strategies Specialist Highlander Institute
Highlander Institute seeking an Educational Strategies Specialist to provide support to teachers implementing blended and personalized learning.
Teaching · Non Profit · Providence, RI
Curriculum Associate iCivics
iCivics seeks a master educator to join a small team on a big mission: to revolutionize the way students learn about American government and civil society.
Teaching · Non Profit · Cambridge, MA
Design Manager 2Revolutions
Support partners across the country to design, build and implement the future of learning
Customer service · Startup · Remote
Edtech Events
Mobile Technologies in Teacher Education (MiTE)
Mobile Technology in Teacher Education (MiTE) in its 3rd year posters, research-based and practitioner-based sessions. Converse with international like-minded practitioners and shape the future of education
12 Jan · Los Angeles, CA · more than $250
Conference on Personalized Learning (MACPL) 2017
Register now to experience expert keynotes, in-depth workshops, and informative breakout sessions. Learn and share successes and lessons learned from education leaders in other states and school districts.
27 Feb - 1 Mar · Baltimore, MD · more than $250
Opportunities
Apply to pilot with the LEAP Innovations Pilot Network
Calling K-8 math, ELA content products and competency-based tools and platforms. Want exposure to Chicago schools, educator feedback, and valuable implementation and outcome data? Pilot your product with the LEAP Innovations Pilot Network! Apply by December 23rd.
23 Dec · Edtech companies
Apply to Bring Personalized Learning to Your School with Summit Learning
Ready to help your students become self directed learners with the skills, knowledge and habits to succeed? Summit Learning is a free program that helps public schools bring personalized learning into their classrooms. Apply today!
30 Dec · Teachers
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ONTO THE NEXT
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