Archive for the ‘Education and Technology’ Category

Miami-Dade County Public Schools rolled out a new version of their web portal on Monday which provides increased online resources to parents, students and teachers.

On the new portal, you can look up school bus routes, check grades, report a dirty school bathroom, or even order groceries. Information is tailored for Students, Parents, Employees & the Community. Under community, you can learn about local blood drives, mentoring and more.

Students have unbounded resources. From news to academic assistance, resources for learning, career prep, a virtual library, and a portal they can log into for private information such as online collaboration, assignment postings and online versions of their textbooks. Parents have access to the same information, including textbooks to assist in homework.

The information for students & parents is immediate and up-to-date. Achievement can be monitored more closely on a single organized site, and resources for improvement are more readily available. Grades are available online, as well as information on missing assignments and absentee listings.

To set up an account, parents have to obtain a PIN number from their child’s school. Parents must get a PIN number for each child and, for security reasons, must go to the school in person. ”The schools know which parents belong to which children,” said Debbie Graper, a technology administrator with the district.

The Miami-Date project is designed to get parents more involved in their children’s schoolwork, a key to student success. The project, which cost $3.2 million and was done in partnership with Microsoft, serves 53,000 employees and 342,000 students.

Earlier this year, 13 Miami-Date schools were named in Newsweek’s Top High School list.

Via Miami Herald ; Tags: miami dade, miami dade school district, school portal, education portal, education technology, school technology, online learning

We recently referenced an education technology piece on Absolute’s website, and I wanted to highlight it over here. The article by Westchester1 is called “High Tech Checklist for A-plus Students” and covers all the latest back-to-school technology for high school and college students – and what you need to keep it all safe.

All the latest technology (and what you need to protect it) for back-to-school:

1. Laptop Computer - for homework, research, and social networking.
   • Laptop Tracking & Recovery Software - such as Absolute’s LoJack for Laptops
   • Security Software & Hardware – includes the other basics like anti-virus, anti-spyware, encryption and firewall software, and a good cable lock
2. MP3 Player - one with good audio recording for recording lectures. Effective learning is both visual and aural.
   • Protective Materials - a case, screen protectors, & ID tags (or engraving)
3. Portable Gaming - for play and multi-purpose applications including Internet access
   • Lock it up – keep it in a locker, even in your dorm room. Out of sight is a plus, locked is a preference.
4. Cell Phone - one complete with a camera phone or video capabilities. Get a good data plan. Communication is vital to social learning, and for families too.
   • Protect it - most people overlook this. You can password-protect your address book or other personal information & pictures. Consider a replacement policy if the phone is lost or stolen.

Via Westchester1 Tags: back to school, technology, school, education technology, kids technology

Education Week has published an article which indicates that Social Networking can have educational benefits. According to a survey commissioned by the National School Boards Association (NSBA), 50% of teens say they talk to their peers about schoolwork online (IM, blog or social networking sites) or via text message. A larger proportion (60%) indicate that they discuss education-related topics such as college and career planning. According to the survey, 96% of students with access to the Internet build social networks. That more than 50% of these students discuss education is promising for educators. NSBA says that Social Networking technologies should be adapted for use in the classroom.

“When it’s another generation’s technology, it’s easy to be uncomfortable with it and say we don’t need it,” said Ann Flynn, the NSBA’s director of educational technology. “We want to say to people, explore these things. Figure out what kinds of tools they are. By no means are we saying people shouldn’t be safe. But we also don’t want to see policies that are so restrictive that the unintended consequence is to keep the technology out of the hands of educators.”

The NSBA suggests setting up chat rooms or blogs where students can talk about, and collaborate on, schoolwork. They also suggest altering policies that ban or restrict the use of these sites while at school. The survey found that the reports of cyberbullying or online bullying could be out of proportion to the fear induced by it. Their report indicated that 7% of students surveyed said they were victims of cyberbullying – this is much less than the 32% indicated in a survey by PEW conducted earlier this summer. The NSBA survey also included a separate study on how districts use technology. 96% of the district leaders interviewed say that teachers assign homework via the Internet, and nearly half of the schools go online for collaborative projects with other schools. Currently, 80% of schools ban chat software, and more than 50% ban the use of social networking sites. This policy may be too restrictive. Social networking can be embraced for its “social” modes of learning, and with education on Internet safety, can be a valuable educational tool.

“One reason why many educators do not find the technologies ‘useful educational tools’ comes from the fact that the teaching paradigm that most teachers use—kids ‘being taught’ (mostly by lecture)—conflicts with these technologies,” he said in an e-mail. “If you are lecturing, they are mainly an interruption. The technologies become much more useful (and in fact necessary) once the paradigm shifts to ‘students teaching themselves’ (with guidance).”

Many analysts also believe that social networking sites will be key assets in future job interviews. Currently 10% of companies review social networking profiles as a part of the candidate review process – a number which will only increase. Education should stem around embracing social networking sites, and their uses for education, but also on what types of information students should and should not be posting online. Security should also be considered part of the education process – this report by CNET recently exposed the dangers of allowing “friends” access to your personal information. You can read the full NSBA report here [PDF]. Tags: social networking, social networking education, education technology, technology in the classroom, facebook, myspace, social learning

ePals has launched a new community service for K-12 educators called Ask ePals.

Ask ePals is a free social networking site to find resources, content, advice, and to interact with teachers around the world. Although it is more focused on content than on social networking, it nonetheless provides the tools necessary to interact.

Ask ePALS is a service that brings together educators and experts from around the world and connects them with people looking for answers to questions that are specific to education.

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Click here to visit Ask ePals.

Via web 2.0 and school administrators Tags: epals, ask epals, educators, teachers, social networking, online community

Cisco announced that Americans want more technology in the classroom, but can’t on the approach.

Zogby International surveyed more than 7,000 general consumer Americans across the country over the age of 18 from May 11 through May 14. In the survey titled “Education Attitudes 2007,” Zogby found that Americans consider technology an important factor in connecting schools to communities, as well as leveling the playing field among all students and all schools.

“How to best educate students so that they have the skills needed to succeed in the 21st century workforce is a critical issue facing every country,” said Bill Fowler, Executive Director of Cisco’s Twenty-First Century Schools Initiative. “This survey highlights that there is a common understanding and appreciation that technology will play a key role in improving the way teachers teach and students learn so that they are prepared to take advantage of all the opportunities a global society and networked communities provide.”

59% of Americans consider information technology vital to help educate students, and that more should be done to introduce it to the learning process. Americans consider technology to be a vital component of education in order to remain competitive in the coming century. The global marketplace is a key issue facing the US, and 54% of Americans consider global perspectives important to education.

Tags: technology, classroom, education technology, online learning learning, education, learning process, school

Online summer school classes are on the upswing. Many schools across the country are now allowing students to make up credits online – not only does this free up more time for students to enjoy their summer vacations, but it also reduces the stigma associated with the need for summer school.

The US Department of Education reports that about 6000 public schools – one third across the country – offer online classes. Each class is 90 minutes long and can be “attended” at any time during the day.

Online material can be sent via email, students can talk with teachers via IM, and work with other students in online discussions groups.

For one mother, the online classes have been a blessing. Her daughter, who has ADD, finds the regular classroom setting difficult. Online classes allow her to re-read material and refer back to it when needed.

Teens can also use summer courses to get ahead. Rather than using summer school as a means to make up credits, students use them for extra credit or for courses they may not get during the regular school year or at their regular school. Online classes allow students to explore more scholastic options.

Via seattle pi Tags: summer school, summer courses, summer classes, online education, online school, online courses, extra credit, learning, virtual learning

For the past 3 years, 9 states have been studying technology’s impact on teaching and learning. The full findings come out in the Fall, but the results look encouraging.

Some of the programs and their outcomes include:

• School-based professional development in classroom technology led to wider use of technology & gains in reading and math
• Laptops for teachers and students led to improved school communications, reduced discipline referrals and a level-playing field for low-income students
• One school went from “low-performing” to “adequate” as a result of their projects
• Peer networking and video conferencing of teaching practices led to student achievement gains in math and reading
• Students using technology for real-world problems led to increased rates of graduation and college education

Preliminary results seem to indicate that there are student benefits to be gained from using technology both by teachers and by students. All of the projects undertaken were large-scale technology integrations, drastically changing the face of education.

I very much look forward to reading the full study, as I think that the North American education system needs a firm re-haul to change the curriculum, teaching and learning methods from “industrial” to “post-industrial/information” in order to meet the demands of the future.

Via eschoolnews ; Tags: education, technology, education technology, technology in schools, learning

Cyberbullying is becoming more of a problem in the US. According to new research from the Pew Internet Project [PDF report link], one third (32%) of US online teenagers have been the victim of cyberbullying.

These attacks include receiving threatening messages; having their private emails or text messages forwarded without consent; having an embarrassing picture posted without permission; or having rumors about them spread online. When asked what form the cyberbullying took, the most common response was the sharing of private information (IMs, emails, etc) rather than direct threats.

Girls were more likely to be targets of cyberbullying than boys.

Teens who share their identities online are more vulnerable to cyberbullying.  Further, it was observed that there is a direct correlation between time spent online and cyberbullying. Additionally, the use of social networking sites has spurred greater cyberbullying. 39% of social network (Facebook, Myspace) users had been cyberbullied in some way, versus 22% of teens not using social networking sites.

Cyberbullying, unlike bullying in general, can expose a victim to hundreds or even thousands through an email, blog post or profile. Additionally, many cyberbullies use the web to embolden their actions, as they can “hide behind their monitor.”

Via the BBC ; Tags: cyberbullying, cyber bullying, bullying, cyberbully, cyber bully, social networking, teens online, online safety, bullying policy

It may seem like an overwhelming task to parents and teachers to educate kids about technology. Kids are often very technology savvy these days, but parents & educators need to set up systems for safe online browsing and teach kids how to be Internet Safe.

A number of resources on the web are available to help parents and teachers educate kids about safe technology practices.

• OnGuard Online – provided by the US Government, with some sections specific to educating kids
• CyberSmart – provides free K-8 Internet safety curriculum
• SafeKids – tips for parents and teachers to make the Internet safe
• GetNetWise – protecting your computer, and your kids, from online threats
• Childnet International – an organization helping to make the Internet safe for kids. A Childnet KidsSmart website is run separately.
• NetSmartz – information for parents, educators, teens and kids (netsmartzkids)
• CBBC Stay Safe – a cartoon for kids, and resources for teens
• Chat Danger – a site devoted to safe chat, email and mobile phone use. Includes cyberbullying information.
• Websafe Crackers – a fictional online world to teach safety information
• Family Online Safety Institute – a non-profit aiming to make the web safe. A parents resource section provides free tools and information.

These sites provide learning resources for parents and teachers, free materials and tools to help teach kids about safety, and continued updates to meet the demands of changing technology and safety concerns. For example:

• CyberSmart covers online safety for kids K-8 in 5 education blocks: The 5 blocks consist of private identity information, cyberpals, feeling comfortable, chat & message safety and email safety. Children in Kindergarten begin to learn about private identity information right away.
• SafeKids also provides a good 10-step agreement that kids can go over to understand safe practices.
• Childnet’s KidsSmart site has a section devoted to educating kids via games, quizzes, and kid-friendly tips such as their simple smart rules – there are resources for kids under 11 as well as those over 11.
• NetSmartz Kids is a very interactive flash site with great graphics, games, activities, and cartoon videos to teach many online safety rules

Tags: online safety, web safety, internet safety, education, technology education, parental controls, teacher resources, online safety tips, online safety kids