Educational Technology by IQity

Google Research

2008-11-05T08:47:00.000-05:00

"Is Google Making Us Stupid?" That's the question author Nicholas Carr poses in a recent article in Atlantic Monthly. The question is really whether students who do their research on the Internet read at a more shallow level than those who use more traditional resources like books and libraries.

Digital Research is Fast
Carr cites a study by the British Library and the Joint Information Systems Committee that looked at how students' use of digital resources is evolving. It finds that Internet researchers skim, skipping quickly from page to page. Of those visiting an online journal, 60 percent view three pages or less and 65 percent visit the site only once.

Checking Understanding
Educators need to be aware that students can become overloaded with information and yet understand little of it. According to the report, "The information literacy of young people has not improved with the widening access to technology. ... Young people sometimes have a poor understanding of their information needs and thus find it difficult to develop effective search strategies. Faced with a long list of search hits, young people find it hard to assess the relevance of the materials presented and often print off pages with no more than a perfunctory glance."

Teachers still need to use assessments, questions and other strategies to confirm that their students grasp critical concepts.

Testing Computer Literacy

2008-11-04T08:29:00.000-05:00

We talked about "the nation's report card" in an earlier post. Well, the governing board for the National Assessment of Educational Progress has announced that starting in 2012, its test of the nation's school performance will include a measure of proficiency with technology.

21st Century Skills

Work is underway now on a way to measure how well students understand and can use technology in the classroom. Businesses have been clamoring for greater attention to technological literacy, but as yet there is no state or national standard to measure against.

Online Classes Develop Proficiency

Students learn by doing, and those who participate in online learning have an advantage when it comes to familiarity with 21st century technology and the skills it engenders, such as seeking relevant information and using multiple sources.

Educational Technology and Assessments

2008-11-03T08:52:00.000-05:00

The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) has released a new report on using technology to improve assessments and better monitor learning. The report, "Technology-Based Assessments Improve Teaching and Learning," argues that assessments that simply measure what the student knows today are less useful than those used to tailor lessons and improve outcomes.

Technology Makes It Personal

Technology enables teachers to personalize assessments. Rather than using a test in a formal, high-stakes context, the report advocates informal, targeted testing aimed at identifying where students need help. Other innovations the group promotes are performance assessments, which use successful completion of a project to measure student knowledge; blended assessments, which cover more than one subject area; and portfolio assessments, which call for the student to create a collection of "atrifacts" that demonstrate a range of knowledge.

IQity Makes It Possible

Using the IQity Learning Management Suite, teachers can easily customize assessments for individual students and to achieve specific objectives. Ask for an online demonstration to see how IQity can work in your classroom.

The Virtual Science Lab

2008-10-29T17:41:00.001-04:00

"Oooo...Do I have to touch it? It's so gross!" "I might pass out from the smell!"

Have you ever heard students say anything like that? I remember my friends actually running from the biology room in high school clutching their stomachs... Virtual Science labs have addressed that issue and the Tool Factory has several tools to help our teachers make this virtual reality accessible to kids.

Science Simulations

Teachers have the option to adjust settings and address specific topics and educational objectives. Students perform investigations to answer specific questions. They can observe the simulation or see the results represented in a graph or chart. Students can print, or save information in the simulation to use later in a multi-media presentation.

When I asked a conference participant, who happened to be an engineer, if he believed the simulation would be as good as the real experience, he felt like it would certainly teach them the concept.

Science Diagrams

Teachers and students can utilize this tool to overlay cell structure, label organs or identifying chemical structures instantaneously.

Software such as this simply adds to the ubiquitous information of today. Yet, it could also serve as a powerful teaching tool in a virtual classroom.

Identifying and Measuring the Value of 21st Century Skills

2008-10-29T14:38:00.001-04:00

"We need to prepare kids for their future, not our past."

As a technology leader, COSN is certainly an organization to be familiar with as it serves as a voice for K-12 education leaders using technology strategically to improve teaching and learning.

The issue:

The focus of schools is to prepare our students for the future, yes. Well, what skills do the they need to be successful? How will they acquire the skills? How will we assess the skills necessary for the future?

The Partnership for 21st Century Skills provides some insights. Certainly the things students need to learn today are different than what they were 20 years ago... 80% of the general public now believes this. 99% of the populous now recognize that teaching and learning 21st century skills is important to our country's future and economy. So how do we get from here to there? The Partnership for 21st century skills has created a bit of a road map called Route 21. They've included ideas around assessment to assist us in monitoring our success with addressing these skills.

Recommendations

Pick a few skills to focus upon. Develop a partnership with community businesses. Establish Buy-in by a team including the superintendent, administrative leadership, teachers, and school board.

Measure the Value

Which skills make most sense?
What will it cost?
What are the benefits?
How does the implementation meet the strategic plan of the district?
How will we sell it to the constituents?

Value of Investment = Total benefit of proposed project towards school mission or goals vs Anticipated Costs

Money is education tends to be a finite resource... one for which we all compete. By placing actual data in the hands of the decision-makers, provide some sort of scoring model, we will be able to better "sell" our project. according to Mr. Kaestner. Certainly concrete evidence provides measurable talking points, much like a SMART goal.

COSN developed a framework and methodology for schools to use to measure the value of any investment, called VOI.

S.T.E.M. Education from the Ground Up

2008-10-29T13:38:00.001-04:00

Remember when you were a kid... building enormous "block" cities and towering pyramids. Or perhaps you were the experimenter...making music out of spoons, pots and pans or formulating your own recipes for your "Easy-bake Oven". Whatever your love, you were constantly creating and dreaming... a budding engineer of sorts.

S.T.E.M - Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

STEM Education Coalition

Districts across the nation are examining the need to build feeder systems for STEM education to be sustained throughout high school. Hence, they are developing engineering components for elementary students to begin building that capacity.

Resources

CEE Children's Engineering Educators, LLC
ITEA
Teachers Domain
PBS Design Squad
AIMS
FOSS Science Kits

Getting Back To Our Roots

As children, we loved a challenge... any challenge... including those posed by our parents. "Johnny, don't touch the stove" What inevitably happens? Johnny touches the stove and realizes the consequences in a very formative way. Interestingly enough, educations sometimes forgets that kids love a challenge. STEM integration focuses on the use of design briefs and challenges that expect students follow the same steps an engineer would use in an R & D facility.

20 Education Technology Trends to Watch

2008-10-29T08:15:00.000-04:00

The Future of Technology in Education as presented by the NSBA's "20 to Watch Emerging Technology Leaders". The top 3 predictions for what to watch are as follows:

#1 Online Learning Opportunities

The discussion moved from what really is an online learning opportunity to revealing a myriad of styles and approaches. Leaders expressed concerns about a lack of rigor and an absence of teachers in one example. Yet, others emphasized the extended one-on-one time and authenticity provided by incorporating social networking and web 2.0 tools.

#2 (tied with #3) Access to School Related Software Applications and Projects from any Computer in the School Network

#3 Unlimited Internet Access

Participants agreed upon a need for integration and enjoyed quite the discourse on a need for additional policy and practices. Some recommended involvement from ISTE. Others believed we have enough policies and insisted it is more related to culture and communication suggesting that the challenge lies with ensuring all stakeholders feel safe while moving to the "next level".

#4 Online Communication Tools: Global Social Networks

As this prediction was revealed, the following questions was posed... "It's not about the stuff. How are you [technology leaders] changing teacher behaviors?" Dr. Kari Stubbs offered this response, "Research says connecting technology to higher order thinking and the authentic learning experiences provided by Web 2.0 tools and social networking is influencing a shift in behavior of teachers. Thus, we need to move to the next level."

As I digest the discussions occurring around me, I think about one of the things we all know about good instruction.... make the content relevant and meaningful and they'll get it. Authenticity is key. All learners synthesize information more readily when it is important to them. Thus, when a need is present, it is human nature to acquire the knowledge necessary to fulfill the need.

A school board member in the audience suggests we have a responsibility to provide access to technology and students need to learn how to use it appropriately.(ie cell phones) Almost 10 years ago, at Columbine High School, the only people that could communicate were those in possession of the then banned cell
phone.

I suggest we continue to find ways to narrow the gap between what students view as life - MySpace, FaceBook, Skype - and school or the acquisition of knowledge.

And finally, I thoroughly agree with the number one recommendation for school leaders of Professional Development. Putting technology in the hands of staff simply isn't enough. We must develop models to help staff, students, and parents increase their "comfort level" and become technology leaders in their own right.

Opportunities to Challenge our Students

2008-10-28T19:27:00.003-04:00

As I mentioned previously, I began attending workshops at T+L in search of examples for challenging students to engage, to think critically and to be reflective. I have indeed found one such possibility revealed in Apple's research for ACOT2

Why Our Schools Need To Change

As I listened to Karen Cator of Apple, Inc. present her case for why schools need to change, I didn't hear anything especially new. We must keep pace with Global Competition, Global Interdependence, Workplace Innovation, Ubiquitous Information and Student Experiences. However, what she suggested certainly supported the vision of eDCSD. Imagine a school that is mobile (anyplace, anytime); that expects students to collaborate, innovate and problem solve across curricular lines; that harnesses students time in and out of school by applying the "social" tools to academia.

Enhancing Both Virtual and Physical Classrooms

All my conversations with students around why they stay in school, any school, and why they feel successful boils down to two essentials:

1) Somebody cares if I am here or not
2) What I am doing during school has some sort of relevance to me

Challenge Based Learning leverages the social-emotional connection while coupling relevant curriculum with 21st Century skills. The framework is truly that of the scientific method requiring students to work collaboratively to craft a solution to an essential question with a global theme. Much like an R & D lab, there are many solutions; thus fostering innovation. Problems are real and solutions are published (including personal student reflections) bringing authenticity and relevance to the work.

I contend, Randy Pausch, that this approach could indeed help students to judge themselves recognizing both their talents and abilities while providing an opportunity to strengthen their shortcomings. Furthermore, why would one want to "hide" when contributing to something that is important to them....

Which Educational Goals Should Be important?

2008-10-28T08:42:00.004-04:00

As I prepare to attend the T+L Conference sponsored by the National School Board Association, I find myself reflecting on an excerpt from "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch.

Goals of Teachers

"It is an accepted cliche' in education that the number one goal of teachers would be to help students learn how to learn. ...... But in my mind, a better number one goal was this: I wanted to help students learn how to judge themselves. Did they recognize their true abilities? Did they have a sense of their own flaws? Were they realistic about how others viewed them?"

Douglas County (Colorado) School District Examples

This stuck with me as I recall the amazing essays and illustrations portraying "Why I Want to be a Part of eDCSD." I recognize that a traditional instructional vehicle may not push students to recognize their true potential. I realize that the adaptability and 1:1 instruction and mentoring available in an online approach may drive students to see their own flaws. I am convinced that in an online approach to instruction, students have less room to "hide" from who they are, what they desire, and the image they leave behind... because the must engage to benefit.

I am eager to see what others in our nation are doing to provide such an opportunity to our children.

Technology-Savvy Students

2008-10-28T08:19:00.000-04:00

Wired is just so last year. Among 438 students arriving as freshman at Amherst University, barely one percent have a landline. The rest rely on cell phones exclusively. That's not the only interesting tidbit in a recent post on the Buzz Up! technology blog.

Students Want Mobile Technology

Only 14 incoming Amherst freshmen have desktop computers. Presumably the others will be using their laptops to keep their Facebook pages current; 432 freshmen have a profile. Other popular mobile technology choices are the iPhone and Ipod Touch, brought to campus by 93 incoming students.

Students' comfort level with computer technology is also reflected in the fact that 89% of them filed their college applications online.

NSBA T+L Conference

2008-10-27T08:41:00.003-04:00

I'm headed to Seattle for the National School Boards Association (NSBA) annual Technology and Learning Conference. I'm looking forward to meeting educators from across the country who are coming to Seattle for practical and innovative solutions to using technology in the classroom.

IQity Supports T+L Conference

IQity is a Platinum Sponsor of the T+L Conference and will be hosting an exciting special event on Wednesday evening. We'll be going to the Experience Music Project, a unique Seattle venue dedicated to the exploration of creativity and innovation in popular music. Interactive displays and the opportunity to see cutting-edge technology will be paired with a live band, dancing and refreshments, so conference attendees can mix networking and fun.

If you'll be at the conference, don't miss the party, and be sure to ask me how IQity can bring technology and learning to your school.

STEM Education

2008-10-25T08:57:00.000-04:00

It's not too late to get your students involved in this year's Great Worldwide Star Count, a project that teaches both astronomy and technology skills. Now until November 3, you can participate with classes around the globe.

Technology Anchors Global Participation
This is the second year for the project, organized by a consortium of universities calling itself Windows on the Universe. Funded by the National Science Foundation, the goal is to map global light pollution while helping students learn astronomy. Volunteers worldwide choose a constellation and report online how many stars they observe in it.

An activity guide and star charts are available online. Observations must be reported by November 3.

Online Schools

2008-10-24T10:41:00.001-04:00

The growing trend of online education is paving the way to success for many students in an environment not restricted to a classroom.

Education Revolution

Online schools have revolutionized K-12 learning. An o-line learning environment offers more opportunities to students than the face to face instruction in a traditional bricks-and-mortar school. Using online learning, teachers can tailor their virtual classroom to meet the needs of each individual student. With an electronic tracking system, they can identify students' strengths and weaknesses and work with them accordingly, which is advantage for both gifted and struggling students.

View our article to see an analysis of how online learning has changed to face of K-12 learning

Educational Technology Center

2008-10-23T08:54:00.000-04:00

Educational technology could get a big boost with the creation of a new national research center. A recently enacted federal law will create the National Center for Research in Advanced Information and Digital Technologies. The center will disseminate federal funding for research on educational technology and how it affects learning. It's still under development and does not yet have a web site, but will be part of the U.S. Department of Education.

Investing in Educational Technology

The legislation, a higher-ed bill signed by the President in August, says that the center will develop a comprehensive research and development program to advance educational technology and improve learning at all levels "in order to provide Americans with the knowledge and skills they need to compete in the global economy." Educational technology advocates hope that the budget for federal fiscal year 2009 will include $50 million to fund the center.

Schools Can Get Started Now

Schools don't need to wait to get started with today's educational technology. The IQity Learning Management Suite comes with a variety of high-tech tools and schools and students need only computer access to use them. Schedule an online demonstration with an elearning expert to see how easy it is to get started.

Educational Technology Initiative

2008-10-22T08:55:00.000-04:00

The Vision for K-20 Education initiative is a year old and the Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA), its sponsor, says that while progress is being made, more is needed.

Educational Technology Vision
What is the vision? It's that by the end of the decade, every K-20 school will use educational technology for six specific purposes: to increase student engagement and achievement; to provide equity and access to new learning opportunities; to document and track student performance; to empower collaborative learning; to maximize teaching and administrative effectiveness; and to build student proficiency in 21st century skills.

SIAA surveyed educators at the first anniversary of announcing its initiative and found that schools are making progress in using technology to improve communication and anytime/anywhere access to learning. More needs to be done to nurture creativity and meet the needs of all students.

IQity Advances the Initiative's Goals
Using the IQity Learning Management Suite to offer online classes can help schools meet all the goals of the Vision for K-20 Education. The LMS simplifies tasks for teachers and administrators, helps students master 21st century technology skills, and gives them access to standards-aligned content that meets the needs of each individual learner. Schedule an online demonstration to see how IQity can help your school attain its goals.

No Child Left Behind

2008-10-20T08:31:00.001-04:00

Teachers need to do more than present subject matter when preparing students for the Ohio Graduation Test and other assessments required by the No Child Left Behind Act.

Preparation is Key

First, it is important that teachers assess their students' learning styles. There are learning style inventories or other diagnostic tools to help accomplish this. Second, teachers can match their learning activities to the test's criteria. Learning activities should be exciting for the students in order to make them more memorable. Third, teachers can insure they have a quality learning environment in which students can work. For example, adequate space is needed for a learning activity that require students to move around.

To learn more about successful testing, see our article on making a plan for test preparation.

Educational Grant Deadline Soon

2008-10-17T08:27:00.000-04:00

November 1 is the last day to apply for a grant from the Verizon Foundation this year. The foundation focuses its giving on several key areas, including education, literacy, and internet safety.

Technology and Learning can be Funded
Grants generally range from $5000 to $10,000, though there is no set limit. K-12 schools must be registered with the National Center for Educational Statistics to apply.

In explaining its support for education, the Verizon Foundation web page notes that "Technology has revolutionized the way we live, learn and work. To reach their full potential, people need a level of literacy and education that is unprecedented."

The online application is extensive, so start soon if you intend to apply this year. If you can't make the November 1 deadline, applications for 2009 will be accepted after January 1.

Web-Based Learning

2008-10-16T08:47:00.000-04:00

Teachers working with students in a classroom are able to assess the students' learning styles and characteristics with face-to-face interaction early on in a course. But how can a teacher assess students when teaching a web-based course?

Assessing Readiness

Before teaching a web-based course, it is important for teachers to research the students in order to know where they stand in terms of being prepared for the material and ready to learn. In order to learn more about distance-learning students, a teacher can conduct an assessment inventory of the students before classes begin. This type of inventory is a series of questions tailored to determine the learning style of the students and to verify they meet the necessary pre-requisites for the course. It is preferably done on-line due to the nature of the course, but may also be done by paper survey or interview.

Assessment inventories are a valuable tool because they give teachers information about the students before a web-based course begins. To learn more about using assessment inventories, view our article about the importance of knowing entry-level characteristics of students.

School rankings

2008-10-15T09:18:00.000-04:00

The Center for Public Education has released The Proficiency Debate: A Guide to NAEP Achievement Levels. The report examines why national rankings of school district proficiency often differ, sometimes markedly, from the way a state ranks the same schools.

School Rankings Controversial

The National Assessment of Educational Proficiency (NAEP) is often referred to as the "nation's report card." Schools that rank lower on the NAEP than on their state's report card can find themselves struggling to explain the difference to parents. The Center says it helps to know that states and NAEP don't measure the same things. Also, the NAEP standard is higher than that used by most states.

The report explains how the NAEP scores are developed and what it means if they differ substantially from other rankings.

Ed Tech Conference

2008-10-14T08:27:00.000-04:00

The National School Board Association's (NSBA) annual T+L Conference is coming up in Seattle October 28-30. T+L is short for Technology and Learning, and the conference is billed as the key event for school district leaders interested in educational technology.

Top Technology Topics

The conference will focus on a number of hot topics in the field, including S.T.E.M. Initiatives, social networking, and using technology to enhance one-to-one learning. The conference includes dozens of workshops and roundtables on technology topics. Examples include Online Learning vs. Traditional Learning: Which is More Effective for the Student?; The Virtual Science Lab; and Why All Your Teachers Must Learn How to Teach Online And How Their Brick-and-Mortar Classes Will Benefit. Pre-conference sessions are offered October 27 on issues such as getting students engaged in learning and technology and the law.

IQity Will be There

IQity will be hosting a social event at Seattle's Experience Music Project on October 29. Stay tuned for more specifics about our plans for a fun, exciting opportunity to network and party.

Blended Learning Offers Benefits

2008-10-13T08:23:00.001-04:00

In a blended learning environment, the student interacts with a teacher in a classroom setting but also completes course work online. Many types of students benefit from the addition of an online component. For at-risk students, teachers can track students' progress electronically and identify areas in which they need special assistance. Exceptional students are challenged with an online learning component because they can work at an advanced rate and can maximize their independence while away from the class.

Blended Learning is Effective

Blended learning combines the best of both classroom instruction and online instruction and has proven to be a beneficial approach to learning. To find out more, view our article on blended learning as an effective teaching method.

School funding

2008-10-11T08:59:00.005-04:00

While all of America is focused on the Presidential race, important local issues will appear on the ballot as well, including funding requests by many school districts. If a newspaper poll is any reflection, the economic crisis could make school ballot issues a tough sell this election.

Tough Times for School Funding
The Columbus, Ohio, Dispatch ran a poll yesterday asking whether readers plan to vote for the school levy on the ballot. As I write this, a whopping 82% were telling the newspaper, "No." Many cited tough economic times as the reason. Sample comments:
"We all want more, however it a bad time to be asking."
"We are all being hit hard in this economy."
"During these tough economic times, we all have to tighten our belts a little."

IQity Offers Cost-Effective Solution
Of course, every school district has to be mindful of its expenses, whether or not it's asking for more community support. That's why its good to know that IQity's Learning Management Suite is free to school districts. Ask for an online demonstration to see how we can help you get started in online classes.

Educational Technology Petition

2008-10-10T08:06:00.002-04:00

If you're tired of hearing from the Presidential candidates, here's a chance to let them hear from you. A group of education organizations has posted an online petition asking the next President to make educational technology for K-12 students a top national priority.

One Giant Leap for Kids
The petiiton is part of a public service campaign titled One Giant Leap for Kids, based on the idea that it was investment in education that enabled Neil Armstrong to take the first step on the Moon. The campaign argues that American students need a 21st century education to compete in the global economy.

Schools that sign up to use the IQity Learning Management Suite are able to offer students online classes and standards-aligned curriculum. IQity takes advantage of both technology and award-winning content to deliver quality education to today's students.

Elearning PowerPoint

2008-10-09T13:00:00.000-04:00

Teachers at Ohio's first completely online school, the Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow (ECOT), are helping one another navigate the IQity training materials. Since teachers, like students, gather online, one of the teachers posted a Power Point presentation to help colleagues find Iqity tutorials.

Request a Demo

You can get a look at how IQity works by asking for an online demonstration from an elearning expert.

Distance Learning at High Speed

2008-10-08T08:50:00.000-04:00

The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) has released a report calling for schools to upgrade their broadband internet connections. SETDA says many schools lack the high-speed connectivity necessary to support distance learning.

Technology Essential for Student Success
SETDA Executive Director Mary Ann Wolf said, "We now have data that show how technology makes a significant impact on student achievement in all subject areas and grade levels." Yet the report shows that many schools have slower internet connections than students may have at home if they get their home internet service through a cable provider.

SETDA encourages schools to coordinate with state and local governments and others to address broadband requirements and seek volume pricing. In Ohio, Governor Ted Strickland has set a goal to extend broadband access to the southeastern portion of the State, which is part of the rural Appalachian region and currently lacks broadband internet service in large areas.