Some telling statistics in this report.
http://tinyurl.com/7m26lus
Category Archives: Edu – Technologies
Report: Blended learning could hit or miss
This article, based on a report titled, “The Rise of K-12 Blended Learning” points out the potential ‘dangers’ of cramming blended learning into our current environments. These paragraphs succinctly outline this danger:
“There is a significant risk that the existing education system will co-opt online learning as it blends it into its current flawed model—and just as is the case now, too few students will receive an excellent education,” the report states.
“Today’s education system is a monolithic one that was built to be like a factory system,” Horn explained to eSchool News. “Rather than measure learning and move individual students along to new concepts as they master previous ones, it measures seat time and moves students along when they hit certain dates on a calendar.”
“Time is fixed,” he continued, “and the learning is variable. This system worked really well in the past. But now that we are asking it to educate every student to his or her highest potential, it was never built to do this job.”
The big danger with integrating technology into education, said Horn, is “that we do what we’ve always done, which is to implement it as a sustaining innovation rather than a disruptive one—that we simply layer technology over the traditional system, which would then co-opt it.”
The above quotes are from Michael Horn, author of a fantastic, thought-provoking book titled “Disrupting Class.” In the article linked below, there’s a short video with Horn that’s worth the few minutes it takes to watch.
The article is here.
The New One-to-One
I would put these people in the “get it” camp. Mobility & ubiquity is the driving force, not a particular device. The path of least resistance to the hearts and minds of our learners is through their devices using our networks. — gm
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By Ellen Ullman
“For years, everyone saw the laptop as the magic bullet for integrating technology,” says Lewis Wynn, director of technology operations for Rockdale (TX) Independent School District. “It’s no longer about a specific piece of technology; we don’t know what the new tools will be next year, in three years, or in five years. The trick is to teach kids not how to use laptops but how to use technology in general.”
Welcome to the new world order of one-to-one computing. As administrators scramble to offer ubiquitous technology in their districts, the goal has moved away from one laptop for each lap to…well…a plethora of alternatives. “Districts should be focusing on providing high-speed wireless networks and devices for those that cannot afford or don’t have,” CoSN CEO Keith Krueger says. “It is a rethink of one-to-one and urgently needed in this time of economic crisis.”
From laptops to access
Only two years ago, Wynn was looking for a one-to-one laptop grant. Then a new, tech-savvy superintendent came in and helped Wynn realize that it’s not about the hardware; it’s about the big picture lessons and benefits that any technology can provide.
New Android tablet designed for education
This looks like it might be worth a look.
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Brainchild offers a solution to the costs and risks of using tablets and handheld devices in the classroom with Kineo, launched today at the Florida Educational Technology Conference. It’s the first Android™ tablet eBook reader created exclusively for education, with built-in features to keep schools and students safe.
“Learning devices need to enhance instruction, not be a distraction. With over 15 years of experience in developing handhelds and software for schools, we know how to make a tablet device suited to a teacher’s needs for individualized instruction,” said Jeff Cameron, president of Brainchild. “Teachers can be confident that Kineo is a secure and safe handheld instructional device because Kineo removes the temptation for students to text or surf.”
Kineo was designed in close cooperation with teachers and administrators who stressed that security features were critical. Unlike other tablets that can surf the Internet at will, Kineo can only access websites that are pre-programmed by the administrator or teacher. In addition, messaging capabilities have been disabled to make sure that students use it for learning, not texting.
Meet 10 superintendents who are exemplary ed-tech leaders
Here are a few people that “get it” and are in positions where they can actually get things done. When what these leaders are doing is the norm rather than the exception, we’ll all be better off.
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Meet 10 superintendents who are exemplary ed-tech leaders
eSchool News names the winners of its 2011 Tech-Savvy Superintendent Awards
Partnerships with local businesses to provide free Wi-Fi for students … a virtualization project that reportedly has saved $1.5 million in energy costs … an instructional content repository so teachers can share lessons, activities, and assessments: These are among the many impressive ed-tech accomplishments of our 2011 Tech-Savvy Superintendent Award winners.
Sponsored by SMART Technologies Inc., RM Educational Software, JDL Horizons, and K12 Inc., the 11th annual Tech-Savvy Superintendent Awards recognize senior school district executives from around the nation who best exemplify outstanding leadership and vision in using technology to advance their district’s educational goals.
“Research shows that technology can facilitate better teaching and learning, but only when used judiciously,” said Dennis Pierce, editor of eSchool News. “And that starts at the very top, with strong district leadership. If you start with a clear vision for how to implement technology effectively, and you make sure your staff is well trained and supported, and you seek to transform instructional practices to leverage technology’s full potential, then technology really can empower education. And that’s what the winners of our annual Tech-Savvy Superintendent Awards are doing.”