Pedagogue Blog

Edtech companies are being started at a staggering rate. Each promises to resolve an issue, transform education, be better than its competitors, and ultimately change the face of education. While these traits may be commendable, there is no doubt that edtech companies are struggling in a market that is over saturated with products and idea. In order to succeed, there are 22 things that they should know.

1. Make sure you understand the education sector

The education sector is a complex marketplace. Not only does every school district have varied needs but edtech products need to appeal to parents, students, administrators and school boards. Many edtech companies do not understand who they need to get buy-in from, and so cannot find a way into the classroom. Another problem is that too often edtech creators do not understand the actual needs of teachers and students, but their perceived needs. They create products that are solving already solved problems and trying to reinvent the wheel. Edtech creators should not be designing products for their own reasons but actively figure out what the problems of the modern classroom are and will be. Failure to do this leads to the creation of products that are useless.

2. Choose the right business model

Many edtech products have embraced the freemium pricing model as the norm. This is attractive to new consumers (who like to get things for free) but can be detrimental to edtech companies if those same consumers do not buy the upgrades and in turn, bring money into the company. New edtech companies need to best understand how to sell their product and how to build investor confidence. Not every product will benefit from a freemium model and creators need to understand what plans are available on the market. Without a deep understanding of pricing and the different edtech business models, new companies will never see a cent in profit.

3. Create engaging and unique products

Technology should engage students in the classroom, not isolate them. Using it for multiple-choice tests and individual activities is not the best use of educational technology; rather, technology should engage and improve education in the same way great teachers do. For example, teachers can create various and personalized lessons and later assign different lessons to kids in the same room. Or each child can work on a different assignment, form an opinion as a result, and share it with other kids in the discussion.

With a marketplace bursting with “innovative” products, the death of many edtech companies is because their product is not unique enough to compete. This is not to suggest that entrepreneurs are not forward thinking but that their products are too similar to products that are succeeding or already have a strong user base. Investors are unlikely to invest in products that do not stand apart from their competitors and administrators will not be interested buying products that they essentially already own. New edtech companies need to do their homework and ensure that their products do not mimic other products and that they offer something new. This is an essential factor if their products are to be a success.

4. Be prepared to invest a lot of time and energy

How much time do you need to build a successful company? More than you think. A thriving company takes years to evolve. Having a business plan written on paper is just a good start, but you also need to work on launching your beta product, and, eventually, the final version. You also need to take the time to promote your product to different schools and regions.

In this whole process, don’t forget to surround yourself with the right people. No matter how good of a subject matter expert you are, having a good team of talented professionals is always a good idea. Additionally, you will need to work with teachers, students, and principals to get their feedback so you can develop the technology that best suits their needs.

The growth of any new company is slow, and for edtech companies, there is very little hypergrowth. Most companies will only see growth after 5 to 10 years of commitment. This can be uninspiring and moral crushing for new companies who have followed the freemium model and may not see any profit for a while. Having patience and providing investors with data and user numbers is important in building long-term confidence and a solid relationship. Edtech entrepreneurs too often do not see the yield of their product, and so they lose hope, and the product comes to a quick death.

5. Leverage your unique strengths

Even if you don’t have experience, you can successfully launch a product using your existing strengths and acquire more skills along the way. But keep in mind that in product design is not the only challenge in educational technology. Once you launch your product, understanding how sale cycles in education function might be a lot harder. In this situation, following the industry is not a requirement, but it can be an advantage.

6. Measure success and focus on the mission and end goal

Challenges are inevitable, so instead of worrying and giving up, focus on what is most important to you. Find your “why.” What does success look like to you? Define your mission, use it to motivate you, and take one more step towards your goal every day.

For example, you can focus your attention on producing great content that will revolutionize teaching and learning. Technology is now personalized enough to deliver individualized teaching and learning products based on feedback from teachers and students from various schools. And most importantly, the focus should be on student outcomes.  Products that add value to the school are the ones that deliver results.

7. Think about the future

There will be many changes in the field of education, especially as it is combined with technology. Creating products will need to connect what is nice to have, what teacher wants to have and what must be included in the product. When schools create an instructional plan, they will need to curate applications carefully. Nowadays we have a situation where administrators set up the education curriculum, and in the future, teachers will choose learning management systems, apps, and content. EdTech is evolving, and competition will grow. Set your mind on future, and you will quickly adapt and go forward.

8. Market to the people make the decisions

Authority figures are hard to reach and are often overwhelmed with companies trying to sell them something. They receive a large number of proposals, and only select a few companies to meet with. When this chance is missed, companies can’t even talk with a prospect. It is not easy to just cold-call potential schools. But not all hope is lost. If a company has few initial customers who have signed up and are willing to demonstrate evidence that the solution adds value, it is easier to gain initial trust and get meeting appointments with the right people.

9. Understand that there is fear of change and new things

Schools are slow when it comes to making changes. Educators follow traditional working and teaching methods and, like in some other institutions, there is fear they might not be able to adapt or that technology will “steal” their jobs. Because most school staff is not tech-savvy, it is important that offered solutions target educators’ needs and are user-friendly. There should be a balance between simplicity and functionality, and a reassurance that technology is meant to improve teachers’ jobs, not replace them.

10. Know who the stakeholders are

When selling to a school, there are several interested parties, such as principals, teachers, administrative staff, children and their parents. People who make the executive decisions are not necessary the ones who will use the technology, and vice versa. For example, if the school wants to change its current learning management system, the principal needs to approve it and wait for a decision from a higher authority figure (such as a superintendent or the school board). Teachers and students will use it, but part of the costs are will be on parents.

11. Make sure the market is not overcrowded

While definitely there is a need and a space for improvement of the educational system, the market is oversaturated with companies vying for the schools’ attention. Because of this, even if you have a great product, if you don’t market it correctly, you will not win their business. Additionally, schools need a comprehensive solution that will take into account all the people who will use the product. This is what many startups miss.

12. Make sure your product has been validated

This is a common problem for many startups in various industries. Customers want to see validation from other users, especially if the product is expensive or takes a lot of time to learn. Without enough visible customer satisfaction, schools may not even want to schedule an initial meeting, let alone invest their time and money.

13. Talk to teachers and students

As with any product, you need to know what the consumer needs. Doing market research is a fundamental aspect of entrepreneurship, and the edtech industry is no difference. Creating a product without having an idea of its practical use, classroom implementation or student’s needs will fail. Entrepreneurs also need to be aware that their ideas around education (which may stem from their high school days) may be outdated and the concerns already addressed.

14. Create edtech that serves a purpose

Not all edtech entrepreneurs have worked in the education field. It is, therefore, important that the product be defined and that it serves a purpose. Entrepreneurs should never aim to replace educators but aid students and teachers to better do their work. Having a defined purpose is also vital when approaching investors.

15. Do research into pricing options and investors

The death of any edtech product is unrealistic pricing. As with any product, profit margins should be slim in the beginning. Aim to appeal to a broad market and be aware of pricing models. EdSurge provides a comprehensive insight into pricing models and how startups can best price their product in the hopes of both enticing buyers and making a profit.

16. Start small

Edtech entrepreneurs would love to have thousands of children using their product. This reality is only accomplished over time. Be realistic about who the product is aimed at and how much content will be available. Products that offer 500 unique lessons plans are not built up over night. Start small by offering consumers a product that is budget friendly to both parties pockets and wets their appetite for more.

17. Collect a group of creative minds

Any edtech products require the skill sets of a number of people. By employing or co-creating with individuals who share the same vision as you, you can be reassured that the end product will be something that can compete in the market. Sourcing freelance web designers and content writers is an excellent way to start as their prices are usually lower than professionals, but the quality can be comparable.

18. Download and play with edtech

In order to create a unique product, it is important to know what is on the market and how those products are succeeding or failing.  The best way to do this is to download and use as much edtech as possible. Not only does this give you an eye into the competition but it ensures that the product being created is not a duplicate. Sites like eLearning Industry have databases full of products available for free download.

19. Stay on top of edtech trends

The edtech industry is quick moving and for a product to succeed it must be both innovative and accessible. By reading articles, attending seminars and staying in the know, increases your chances of creating a product that is in line with what is on offer. Thinking outside of the box is always encouraged, but it is important that the product is in line with current technological literacies.

20. Advertise smart

Advertising should make up 7-8 % of the gross revenue of any new business. On top of this, it is important to advertise in the right spaces. Be proactive in finding web pages, magazines and other ways of getting your product seen by educators and prominent insiders. Advertising is fundamental, and without it, a great product can go unnoticed.

21. Interact with the edtech community

Networking may be a term thrown around in the early 2000s, but for new entrepreneurs it is invaluable. By connecting with other professionals in edtech opens doors to meeting investors, collaborating and learning from influential entrepreneurs who have found success. With the internet, this ability to network is easier than ever.

22. Stay true to your goals

This point may sound sentimental but staying true to goals is vital for any emerging business. Edtech products that promise to improve student’s vocabulary should do just that. This is not only a good life lesson, but investors, educators, and advertisers will be more likely to invest in a product that stays to true to its initial intentions. Growing and morphing are always good, but at the beginning, this does little to encourage success.

Can you think of any additional things that edtech startups should know?

Communication skills are of vital importance in the world today.  With an increasingly reliance on technology, teachers sometimes fear that students are losing the art of face-to-face and formal written communication.  But instead of fearing technology’s impact on student communication, why can’t teachers leverage technology to help students hone their written communication skills?  Whether students are still struggling with basic to complex grammatical concepts, or they need help elaborating their thoughts in thoughtful, sensical written pieces, teachers can rest assured: there’s an app for that!

Grammar & Spelling Skills

Building students’ grammar and spelling skills is foundational for strong written communication.  The following apps are great tools for helping students master grammar and spelling.

1. Sentence Builder

Winner of the 2010 IEAR Language Arts App of the Year, Sentence Builder is an app geared toward elementary students.  It uses a game-like interface to teach students to form grammatically correct simple, compound, and complex sentences.  The app offers audio reinforcement, progress monitoring, and a “teen” module for older or struggling ELA students.

2. American Wordspeller

Spelling is a cornerstone of strong writing.  But how can students locate a new word in the dictionary if they don’t already know how to spell it?  American Wordspeller is an app that can solve this problem by helping students to “find a word by the way it sounds!”  Students can type the first two to three letters that they think the word starts with, and American Wordspeller will use a predictive function based on the letters’ sounds to generate a list of suggested words and help the student identify the word he or she is looking for!  This app builds agency and confidence in proper spelling.

3. The Interactive Grammar of English

Written by a team of linguists from the University College of London, the grammar in this app is based on the most current research and reflects real situations and real sentences, not just the repetition of archaic rules.  The app is progressive, spanning concepts from basic level understanding to complex, collegiate-level pieces of writing.

4. No Red Ink

Technically, No Red Ink is an interactive website, but it is so functional and easy to navigate, that it has earned its place on a list alongside self-contained apps!  No Red Ink is a personalized approach to drilling grammar skills.  The site uses the students’ self-reported interests to build sentences that pretest, practice, and evaluate students’ grammar knowledge and acquired learning.  Teachers can set the topic for a class, monitor student progress, and peruse the data provided by the site reflecting students’ achievement.  It’s an easy and effective grammar skill tool.

Writing Skills

1. Writing Challenge App

The Writing Challenge App allows students to enjoy writing in the guide of a fun, interactive game.  The app provides a prompt to get student writing started…then, every minute, the app supplies another prompt to add new ideas, words, characters, sentences, places or actions to the plot.  Students who have a hard time getting started with creative writing assignments will enjoy the fast-paced, game-like setup of this app.  And in the end, they’ll have been inspired to write an entire story!

2. Writing Prompts

This app generates fiction, and nonfiction writing prompts, helping students master the skill of the short write.  The app uses current events, scene elements, words, pictures, colors, and even random tidbits from fiction works to inspire students to write both short and long pieces.  The 600 creative writing prompts are available both on- and offline to encourage student writing wherever they may be.

3. Story Builder

Story Builder is an app from the same company that produces Sentence Builder.  Story Builder was Huffington Post’s 2011 winner of Best Reading App.  The app is designed to help students improve paragraph formation, integration of idea, inference, and abstract thinking and expression.  The app’s use of audio clips promotes access to writing skills, even for students with special needs.  The app offers a talk-to-text function, which allows students to narrate their thoughts and see them transformed into paragraphs; this is an essential scaffold for struggling writers.

4. Write About This

Write About This is an app that addresses all genres of writing throughout elementary school, engaging students and making them feel excited about writing!  Educators report that even struggling writers are engaged and motivated by the game-like feel of this writing app; by the end of its integration, many couldn’t get their students to turn it off!  This app is worth investigating for teachers of reluctant writers.

5. Storyrobe

Storyrobe allows writers to write, share their work, and receive feedback from others.  This is a great way to integrate student editing and revision as well as teaching how to incorporate positive feedback to writers.  With this app, you can easily save and upload your story to social media platforms as well!

6. Google Docs

For traditional essay writing in classrooms, there is no better app than Google Docs!  Google Docs has all the traditional functionality of Microsoft Word but allows for collaboration between students and for easy-to-give and easy-to-receive feedback from teachers through the commenting and suggesting functions.  When paired with Google Classroom, Google Docs makes the assigning, collecting, and grading of essays a breeze for teachers and students.

It’s time to harness technology’s strengths, instead of dwelling on their weaknesses.  While written communication can, at times, be undercut by social media, teachers can also use it to motivate students to write more and write better.  By tapping into these writing apps, teachers can get their students invested in improving their writing skills!

 

Students have made portfolios for classrooms of various kinds for many reasons over the last few decades. In the past, the teacher was the only person other than the student really to see their portfolio, unless it is posted in a display somewhere in the classroom. Now, there is an easy way to create and share portfolios electronically in a classroom. These e-portfolios are becoming more and more popular, and they have created a paradigm shift in education recently. E-portfolios are becoming the perfect way to collect, share, collaborate, and grade assignments in most classrooms.

The first thing to do is to define the needs of a classroom. There are several questions to ask, including the following:

• Can student work be made public?
• Can students view and comment on each other’s work?
• Can the teacher provide feedback for the student privately?
• Are the portfolios transferable from year to year as students move through the school?
• Can students access their work or export it when they leave the school?
• Does the platform allow for multiple file types (documents, sound files, video files)?
• What are the costs for using the tool or platform?
• Can a teacher create a teacher account and student accounts, or do students sign up on their own? Is there a minimum age to sign up?

These questions are of the utmost importance when deciding to go with an e-portfolio option in the classroom. If e-portfolios are the right choice for a classroom, then it is time to decide between which services to use for the process, and there are several to pick from.

Project Foundry

Project Foundry works great as an e-portfolio option because of how it organizes, tracks, and shares project-based learning experiences. It also relates projects back to standards for the sake of grading. Plus, it has built-in feedback tools. This option is less for sharing with all students, though. It is more of a platform for students to turn in their work to a teacher.

Google Apps

Google hosts many apps that can function perfectly for making all types of e-portfolios. It has an entire office suite accessible for free, and it comes with an email address and cloud storage, too. The reason why Google’s apps work the best is that the files can be turned into teachers for grading, or it can be sent to other students for viewing and feedback. Documents can be shared as read-only or as editing allowed, so the options are endless for student interaction.

Dropbox

Dropbox is another great file sharing service that allows students to collaborate to one another and to share their files with their teachers, too. It lacks the office suite items that Google’s apps offer, though.

Next Steps

Once a service is chosen, and the ones mentioned here are only samples of the many that are available for using online, most of which are free, then the next step is implementing these tools into the classroom. The first step is to make sure the teacher is familiar with the product first. This step needs to happen before any others because the teacher needs to eventually teach their students how to use these programs and apps for the classroom, too. Simple assignments can be given that lead student around each area of how to use the tool being used.

Then, the larger portfolio can begin to be made. The best way to start building a portfolio is step-by-step, first starting with small assignments that then grow into a larger piece. Students should be encouraged to share with one another if the product allows such things so that feedback can be given. Teachers should be able to check in on the e-portfolio’s progress from time to time to make sure that students are on track. When it comes to the final submission, students should be certain they want the final product to be left as it is for all time. Along the way, though, creativity should be promoted above all else.

Conclusion

E-portfolios are becoming the next step in education for how assignments will work in the future. Technology is to thank for this paradigm shift, and students are bound to love doing e-portfolios more than any other kind of work because it allows them to interact with their beloved technology. Classrooms using e-portfolios are sure to blossom into a realm of collaboration and creativity that fosters learning above anything else.

Virtual Reality (VR) is changing the way people see the future. As with video games emerging into the classroom in the early 2000s, this new technology will soon be making its way into classrooms as well. Many teachers are receptive to working with this technology, but some of them are not quite aware of the effect VR can have on a classroom environment. It can change the way students learn in the long run.

Student Motivation

In an age awash with ever-growing and changing technology, students are become more difficult to motivate in the classroom. Instead of learning what they need to know for graduation, they are more fascinated with their Smartphones and tablets. They would rather chat, take selfies, and play games than pay attention to what their teachers have to say. There is a suspicion that VR use in the classroom can alter that motivation. It can take students’ love of technology and refocus it to be directed at curriculum instead of their social lives outside of school.

Collaboration Opportunities and Independence

VR offers chances for students to interact with one another and classrooms around the world in ways that traditional classroom technology has never before seen. Students can create their avatars for use across many applications and platforms that are unique to them. Therefore, they feel a sense of independence and autonomy in their VR lessons because they feel fully immersed in the technology. When collaboration takes place, though, they do not have to fear speaking or to interact directly with people if they are a little sky. The avatar does the interaction for them in the long run. This aspect also allows students to work on their social skills in a way that is not so isolated.

Accessing the Abstract

Some curriculum aspects can be difficult for students to learn. Many abstract concepts in math and science can be very difficult to learn for students because they cannot visualize what is going on. VR experiences help to make those abstract concepts a reality. They become interactive to the point that students can almost reach out and touch them, handle them in a way that could never have happened without VR technology.

Entertaining While Educating

Because students feel as if they are being entertained with VR technology, they are more likely to immerse themselves into curriculum concepts. They can take a journey into parts of the body, for example, in ways that make the systems and their functions real life. They can reach out and interact with certain organs and make things like cells move from one area of the body to the next. They are surrounded by visual and audio aspects that cannot be taught in a standard classroom.

Effect on Learning Retention

Students are more likely to remember experiences where more than one sense is involved. Therefore, more concepts can be branched together while new connections are formed in the brain through different senses. Instead of only reading and hearing about a concept, they are able to lay their hands on something through VR. They do not necessarily feel weight or texture, but their imaginations are activated in a way that makes a personal connection to them during the learning process. Therefore, they are enjoying the experience more, so retaining this information becomes easier in the long run.

Conclusion

Learning with VR is becoming more and more a reality for some classrooms. It does not matter what the cost of this technology is financial. The benefits students reap from using it in the long run with motivation and retention alone outweighs those costs considerably. Students will be able to change the way they learn with VR easily since they can adapt to this technology in ways that previous generations never thought to.

 

 

When I was a child, I remember taking walks with my mother to the library to pick out a book or two. If I was lucky, and I was on good behavior, the librarian sometimes allowed me to take out three books from the library. As I grew older in school, I learned about the Dewy Decimal System, and how to find a book by using a library catalog. When I began college about ten years ago, there were floors and floors of somewhat outdated books on the shelves, and although I did not quickly find what I needed, there were books everywhere.

What I did not know then was that even ten years ago, the future of libraries had begun to change. I completed the majority of my research online, and I found myself meeting in the library with classmates to research needed information for group projects. Shortly after I graduated, my university announced it would be completely renovating the library in order to create a more technology-centered library with an increase in spaces for group work.

What I did not know then was that even ten years ago, the future of libraries had begun to change. I completed the majority of my research online, and I found myself meeting in the library with classmates to research needed information for group projects. Shortly after I graduated, my university announced it would be completely renovating the library in order to create a more technology-centered library with an increase in spaces for group work.

What Has Changed in Just the last Five to Ten Years?

All over the globe libraries have become, and are continuing to become places where learners meet, gather, and collaborate. Gone are the times when learners sat individually at tables and were told “be quiet” because they are being too loud. Although there may be space reserved for individual study, now the majority of new and renovated libraries are featuring collaboration spaces for students. Some libraries have even begun to include juice bars or mini cafes to encourage student collaboration. Group workstations are developing, and large open spaces with wide tables and laptops are becoming the norm, rather than the exception.

What Does the Future of Libraries Look Like?

Although printed books still play a critical role in the learning process and in libraries, libraries are becoming spaces that are more focused on the availability of technology, access to online libraries and resources, as well as e-books. Instead of ordering a book from your university library, and waiting for it come from another university, students can request materials online from enormous online university databases. Libraries are becoming furnished with armchairs and iPads. While students are studying in the library, iPads can be “checked out” for individual student use and research. iPads may have numbers or codes on them, just like books.

The Makerspace Movement

In addition to libraries transforming into technology centers with readily accessible iPads and laptops, modern libraries are including what are called “Makerspaces.” Makerspaces are learning centers, that can be as simple as a station with Legos for young learners to creative, invent, and build, or can even be as complex as workshops and stations for various crafts and tradespersons. Makerspaces can even be full and complete labs equipped with 3D printers, laser cutters, and or power and hand tools.

Makerspaces can contain work stations equipped with tools for any trade such as artists, seamstresses, engineers, computer programmers, computer hackers, painters, woodworkers, graphic designers, and more. These stations are becoming popular in new and modern libraries, as libraries become places of cooperation and teamwork, and are falling away from the traditional idea that libraries are quiet places for individual silent work only. Libraries are becoming learning commons for all ages, for artisans, for students, for families, and for all who wish to access the new world of Makerspaces and online learning.

What Is the Future Environment of Libraries?

Due to a shift in pedagogy and new education methods, as well the steady and fast increase in accessibility to modern-day technology, even the environment of the future library is being altered. The present and future of libraries not only include laptops and high-speed internet, but also rooms with whiteboard paint and chalkboard paint and large glass windows to allow sunlight to stream into studies spaces. As we march through the 21^st Century, the century of technology, MOOCs, numbered iPads, and SmartBoards are quickly becoming standard in many libraries. Some libraries are including even Apple TV’s and other devices that we would never have found in a library, just 15 years ago.

What Are Some Concerns Regarding the Future of Libraries and Learning?

Some altruistic librarians are clutching their hardback books, and Dewy Decimal System in their hands, as books are becoming less popular in modern libraries. Physical books are being replaced by study spaces, Makerspaces, and computer labs. Although many if not all libraries still hold books on their shelves, the future of libraries is unknown. Will there always be physical books on the shelves of libraries in the year 2050? Maybe. Maybe not.  Although there is a danger in books disappearing from libraries altogether, advances in technology are making it more possible to spread information and knowledge at an ever-increasing pace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many schools support a Bring Your Device (BYOD) policy for teachers. Other schools provide products like iPads and iPhones for teachers to use in their classes. Either way, there are plenty of apps that can be used in the classroom on an iPhone or an iPad. Some apps work well for different things, but they all are designed to do one thing: make the teaching process easier and more productive at the same time. Here are some apps that are essential to use on an iPhone in the classroom to gain that easy productivity to meet all needs and desires a teacher may have.

MasteryConnect

MasteryConnect is a great app for keeping aligned with Common Core State Standards. It keeps the information for each standard right at a teacher’s fingertips for ease of use. These standards are organized by grade level and subject, so they are easy to navigate. Other resources exist within the app, too, such as tools needed for teachers who work with English-Language Learners and students with special needs. The interface is easy to use and lessens the need to make endless photocopies or having to reference the app every, single time a lesson or unit is made.

Pick a Student

Students must be held accountable for their participation in class discussions, so it is important that everyone has a chance to speak his or her mind. Coffee can with popsicle sticks is a thing of the past now. Apps like Pick a Student does much of the same task without having to make a physical means of tracking information about who has and who has not participated. Multiple class lists with students’ names can be made with ease, and even smaller groups of students can make into lists. The randomize button on the screen picks which student should answer. These apps are great for review sessions or Socratic circle discussions.

All the Timers

Using a timer to keep students focused and on topic with their answers is essential for preparation for state exams or making sure students do not cut themselves short or take too long. Certain iPhones and iPads come standard with both of a Sand Timer and a Traffic Light. These apps are interactive and visually appealing, but they do not use numbers like normal countdown timers. This visual aid is less pressing than watching numbers count down. The Traffic Light is especially helpful because it sections off the time visually, thus making students focus on what to say and when to wrap everything up.

Organize the Classroom Library

Organizing a classroom library according to student interests is one thing. However, making sure the books are also organized according to the level of difficulty is important, too. The BookLeveler does exactly this task without having to do a lot of research in the meantime. By scanning a barcode on a book, users can locate the level of a text with ease. Typing in the name of a book and the author works just as well, too.

GroovyGrader

The iPhone also has an app that can make grading all the easier. GroovyGrader allows teachers to figure out the percentages of questions that students struggle with rather easily. In other words, it does the math for teachers when it comes to converting grades into percentages.

Scan those Documents

Keeping track of paperwork can be a trial in patience for teachers. However, there is an iPhone app that will make tracking paperwork so much easier. DocScan HD allows pictures of documents to be turned in PDFs or JPGs without much of a hassle. This app comes with an upgrade that then stores the files automatically in Dropbox, a cloud sharing service.

Conclusion

There are so many apps that are available on the iPhone for teachers and students to use. These are necessary for a functional classroom at all costs. Ironically, most of these apps do not cost anything to use, and those apps that do charge a fee are relatively affordable compared to other programs that do not operate on a mobile device as easily. A teacher living in these modern times simply cannot live with iPhone apps such as these.

Increasingly, education is heading toward personalized learning for all students. In the past, gifted students and those students with special needs were the only ones to receive some personalized learning plan of some kind. Now, these programs are being expanded to reach out to all students. Research states many things about personalized learning, and it can make or break the future of education for many students.

Technology seems to be the most conventional method in which personalized learning is being achieved. Students will spend more time interacting with technology in this kind of situation, which will be a great avenue to open up one-on-one instruction time. However, research has indicated a concern with the lack of student-to-student interaction that will be lost during this one-on-one time being increased. Collaboration has proven to be a cornerstone of education in many countries that have successful students so it cannot be ignored or replaced without first being considered for its value.

As far as technology goes, some programs have proven to stand out among others in the arena of available tools for personalized learning. For example, some math programs are integrative and adaptive to the needs of each child using the program. These programs promote learning engagement and student motivation in ways that other models have failed to do so in previous years.

Some studies have spent lots of time focusing on research for these various types of technology and techniques regarding personalized learning. Schools that participated in the study have experienced positive effects as a result of using these technologies and techniques. Math, science, and reading scores have improved over the two years these schools took place in the study, too. Most of these scores are at or above national averages as well.

Unfortunately, there is not yet enough research to completely stand behind personalized learning. More research needs to be done to see if the funding costs will be worth the price for students to reap the benefits of personalized learning in a holistic way. Some of the concerns with this research being done are that it follows the standard model of research and development for typical classroom techniques to be investigated. The problem is that the processes being used in personalized learning follow modules and techniques that are not standard, so the research methods being used might not be the best ones to test what is happening in schools that are piloting many of these programs. In short, an improvement on test scores can only tell researchers so much information.

There are many upsides to personalized learning, though. Students are engaged and motivated to learn more, as stated previously. This situation occurs because learning situations are tailored to what students enjoy the most. Teachers can be more involved in making this process a reality, so long as too much technology is not involved. Projects can be made to pique student interest, making collaborative learning efforts all the more enhanced.

Another reason why personalized learning techniques might work over traditional teaching methods is the fact that the teacher-student role is somewhat reversed. Historically, teachers have been seen as leaders in the classroom, and students are meant to follow that lead completely. However, there is more autonomy given to students in a classroom that focus on personalized learning. Students no longer become a passive recipient of information because they are actively engaged and motivated, as stated previously, in the process all the more.

Though more research needs to be completed on the topic of personalized learning, it does not seem to be vanishing in the forefront of educational techniques any time soon. It should be considered as a viable method to be included in every classroom right alongside collaborative and other traditional learning methods.

How is digital technology changing education? An easier question to answer perhaps is: How is digital technology not changing education. Read more to learn about how digital technology is revolutionizing the face of schools and education on a global scale.

1. Availability of Online Classes and Programs: One of the first easy observations regarding digital technology and education is that online schools and classes are becoming widely available. Even free online classes called “MOOC’s” otherwise known as Massive Open Online Courses are becoming widely popular. Online courses and full online programs are making it possible for learners young and old to unite from all over the world at any given moment, and to have easy access to a course or program from home.

2. Learnings Texts Are Now Digitalized: Check the backpack of many high school and college students, and you will find that physicals textbooks are slowly being replaced with iPads and various forms of devices connected to online media. With the fast-paced development of online media, e-books, e-readers, and learning programs developed for iPads, iPhones, and smartphones, the textbook is becoming “extinct” in some areas. You can forget the time when your backpack was loaded down with a stack of textbooks, because learning is going online.

3. Mobile Learning: A combination of the result of the sharp and sudden increase in the availability of online courses and programs, and the wide availability of online resources and books, you can now study from your phone. MOOC’s such as the well-known “Future Learn” MOOC allow you to access your course(s) from your smartphone. Just open the course, plug in your headphones, and follow the content and the classroom discussions! Whether you are riding the subway or taking a bus or a train you can instantly connect to the world full of learners and learning.

4. Personalized Teaching and Learning: Due to the increase in the presence of technology in the classroom, teachers now have more ability to personalize lessons, instructions, and projects for each group or child. By using devices and programs to distribute classwork and assignments, teachers can personalize lessons and focus on the work of each student. Individualized lessons can be provided to each student, and learning tools enable students to work, perform, and excel at their own pace. Teachers can also now provide feedback, grades, and reports directly to students through online platforms, and online school portals and log-ins.

5. Guidance and Instruction from Diverse Teachers: The increase of digital technology has also affected the availability and access to diverse teachers and instructors for students worldwide. One student can be present in a multi-cultural online classroom with teachers with origins from South Africa, England, Brazil, Spain, Russia, and Poland all at the same time. Teachers from different backgrounds and countries all bring their own unique perspectives, cultures, and languages to the table of learning.

6. Collaboration and Peer-to-Peer Learning in the Classroom: With an increase in access to online learning, whether part or full instruction is provided online, increased opportunities for students to collaborate together from a variety of places becomes possible. Student bodies, in turn, can be made up of students from all over the globe, with every continent represented. Diverse student bodies also increase diversity in ways of thinking and contributions to class discussions and projects. Inside and outside the classroom students can work together through online platforms and portals to exchange ideas. Students can express ideas and communicate through programs provided by their schools, and also informally through social media programs such as Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Peer-to-Peer learning has become increasingly popular as students share their ideas with each other through online discussions and share documents through programs such as Google Docs. Teachers are encouraging and setting up classrooms that inspire and sometimes require peer-to-peer discussions

7. Data Driven Instructions and Results: Another change that is occurring due to the rise of digital technology is the increase in data-driven instruction and results. Although some teachers are being forced to use online grading tools and devices, analysis tools are also becoming more precise. These devices and grading tools can provide more accurate results regarding student performance, but can also result in a teacher’s limited ability to judge a student’s performance based on the content of their writing, classroom performance, and other contributions.

What Does the Increase in Digital Technology Mean for the Future?

The increase in digital technology corresponds with the increase in the use of technology in both virtual and real-life classrooms. Although many advantages come with digitalized learning, there are also disadvantages that you should be aware of, including and not limited to minimal to zero face-to-face interaction in the classroom, and the lack of ability to work in person with your study partners and your teacher. Despite these disadvantages, overall digital technology has enhanced the future of learning and has enabled students and educators alike from all over the world to work together, spread knowledge, and increase learning opportunities for everyone.

 

 

Pokémon Go did two things for society; introduced us to the capabilities of augmented reality (AR) and showed us how much adults enjoyed catching virtual animals. Augmented reality in the education sector is growing, and as it does, it is important to look how the potential of AR can be harnessed in the classroom.  While AR is primarily focused in the gaming industry (at the moment) statistics show that consumers value AR products 33% higher than non-augmented reality products and that students are naturally entranced by how AR can change the world around them.

However, while it may be the new “it” technology, educators need to understand how they can incorporate AR into their classrooms if it is to be used to its full potential.

The most obvious benefit of augmented reality in education is that it changes the way that students interact with their world and in turn; the way they learn their subject content.  Deeper Learning With QR Codes and Augmented Reality: A Scannable Solution for Your Classroom by Monica Burns is an excellent book that provides educators with examples of how to use AR efficiently.  The overall aim of AR is in the name itself, it wants to “augment” reality and in doing so, teach students more about what they see and how to see it.

Premade resources are a great place for educators to start. Carlon books have published a number of books that are already integrated with AR technology.  Students simply need a smartphone, and they can bring the pages of textbooks to life. Numerous companies are publishing books encoded with AR possibilities. For educators, premade resources, such as these, take away the stress of being involved with the technological aspect of lesson planning, while still giving students a novel way to engage with content.

Another great way to integrate AR into the classroom is by custom making “markers.” Marker images serve as triggers to display AR content on or over the surface. There are a variety of apps that make this process easy and by having custom content teachers can ensure that the AR is directly linked to the content of the lesson. Two of the more popular apps are Aurasma and Layar, both work on IOS and Android devices and require nothing more than an account set up.

Printing AR-enabled worksheets allows students the chance to engage with the AR at home. This can make homework more engaging, and students can explore the AR opportunities as well as the content in their own time; an aspect that is important if students are to foster a positive relationship with education and technology.  The International Society for Technological Education has a great number of resources on how to produce printable AR worksheets. These can be adjusted to fit any age group and subject matter.

Augmented reality can also make class trips more informative. Many museums and historical sites have added AR features to their exhibits in order to appeal to a population that is dependent on technology for information. AR makes exhibits are replacing the “guided audio” tours that were popular in the early 2000s.  Students and guests can now get additional information through their screens and customize their experiences. Curators are usually involved in the creation of these AR experiences, ensure that that information is accurate and well sourced.

So, if augmented reality it to be effectively incorporated into education it needs to push students to explore, and in that exploration; learn. Educators need to see AR as a way to expand their student’s horizons. By bringing education to life, both students and teachers can engage with subject content in a new fun way.

 

With thousands of edtech products on the market, consumers are met with the daunting task of picking out products that address the needs of their students, better teaching practices or make the schooling experience better. With over $537 million spent on K12 education in 2015, there is no doubt that this industry is booming and that teaching establishments are investing in edtech more than ever.

So, in the hopes of bringing to light some of the best edtech tools in the industry; below are 5 edtech tools that everyone should be using. Some are age specific, but most can be adapted to any classroom.

1. Digital Techbook Series (Discovery Education)

Discovery Channel has always offered a variety of resources for students young and old. Their Digital Techbook Series aims to transform textbooks into easy to use digital resources. Not only are there preloaded curriculums around science, geography, and other social sciences but Techbooks is changing the textbook and how educators utilize them.  The Techbooks come varying levels of difficulty and are custom made to suit the needs of students from elementary to high schools. This edtech product is seeing great results with students in Arizona seeing an 11 % improvement in Arizona’s Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS), due to the use of Techbooks and similar results have been recorded in other states.

2. Connect

Aimed at university students and professors, Connect is a digital learning platform that boosts content knowledge, provides live feedback and encourages student engagement. In 2016, over 3 million university students used Connect to better their grasp of subject matter and to communicate with their professors. All content is written by subject experts, and the analytical tools give educators insight into how students are performing. Other features, such as” voice recording lecture capture” make this app a great addition to any higher learning education class.

3. MyOn

This digital library has more than 7000 books in it and acts as a learning space where students can create a profile of books based on their interests and subject needs. MyOn provides educators with live feedback and tracks students’ reading achievements as well offers them quizzes and additional resources to explore the content they have read. Reading is an essential element of education, and this edtech is pushing both educators and students to explore and engage with age-specific content.

4. Formative

Formative has been labeled as a “game changer,” and its soaring popularity speaks to this. This edtech feature allows teachers to set assignments, receive live results and provide feedback. It can be utilized with students of any age and educators can tailor their feedback and assess class performance at a glance. Some features are pre-aligned with Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) standards. What makes this app so worth using is that it gives teachers alternative options for assessment and tries to move away from the overused multiple choice option. Formative is changing the way that testing is done and both students and educators will appreciate it’s easy to use interface.

5. DimensionU

The notion of play has always been an important aspect of education. DimensionU pushes students to play to play multiplayer games in order to promote math and l literacy in grades 3- 9.  Students are encouraged to compete against one another and turn, foster a positive relationship with the subject content. The games can be downloaded onto a device or played online.

What all five of these tools have in common are their commitment to students and their academic achievement. Whether this is through games or better Digital learning tools are becoming increasingly important in education and if they are to be used to their full potential both educators and students need to be using the very best.

 

 

 

Andy Franko, Superintendent of the iConnect Zone in Colorado District 49, will present his district’s success with K-12 blended learning models

(Salt Lake City, UT) April 10, 2017 — Reading Horizons, a multisensory curriculum used to rapidly increase reading skills, today announced its upcoming webcast, Closing the Achievement Gap in Reading: The Future of Blended Learning.

The webcast will take place on Wednesday, April 19 at 6:00 p.m. ET and will be presented by Andy Franko. Franko is the Superintendent of the iConnect Zone in Colorado District 49, which offers three models of blended learning in three schools serving 685 students.

The webcast will provide a clear explanation of blended learning as well as essential components of the model that can effectively close the achievement gap in reading. The district currently provides K-12 blended learning instruction through the Springs Studio for Academic Excellence, Patriot High School, and Pikes Peak Early College program. Video clips from the three schools will allow viewers to see the enriched virtual, rotation, and flex models of this approach in action.

“Blended learning offers the best opportunity to meet the needs of all students,” said Franko. “Regardless of the grade or reading level, all students are able to access curriculum content and receive the instruction and intervention they need. Blended learning is flexible, individual, and customized to address gaps in learning and provide the support to rapidly close those gaps.”

The iConnect Zone began with an entirely virtual school and quickly discovered the importance of face-to-face interaction with an educator and peers. They shifted to a blended learning model that incorporates this collaborative environment within the structure provided in a school building. Students in the iConnect Zone attend school from two days a week to five days a week, depending on the model in which they are enrolled.

“Blended learning combines access to consistent, high-quality instruction through online curriculum and more time for teachers to engage with students and provide support. The iConnect Zone offers the best of both worlds,” said Tyson Smith, the President of Reading Horizons. “Good reading skills are crucial for all students, particularly in settings where part of every day is spent working independently. Blended learning is an ideal solution for meeting the literacy needs of regular education, special education, and ELL students.”

Educators interested in viewing the webcast can register at readinghorizons.com/webcast to receive updates and the link to access the live presentation. This is the fourth webcast in a professional learning series for educators offered by Reading Horizons. Previous webcasts and a range of webinars can be viewed here.

About Reading Horizons
For more than 30 years, Reading Horizons has dedicated its time and effort to perfecting a reading method that has proven successful for beginning readers, struggling readers, and students learning English. Reading Horizons products are research-based and use a multisensory system that provides explicit, systematic, and sequential decoding instruction. For more information, please visit ReadingHorizons.com.

Press Contact
Jacob Hanson
PR with Panache!
[email protected]

Click here to access all of the articles in this series. In this series, we are discussing all of the terms, concepts, and technologies that you need to know to be literate in all thinks edtech. In the previous article, I introduced letters N-P and in the part of this series, I will discuss letters S-W.

Sensory enhancers. Depending on developmental patterns, children may need to learn differently than their peers. Instead of ABCs and numbers first, a child with language delays may benefit from bright pictures or colors to learn new concepts. Sensory enhancers may include voice analyzers, augmentative communication tools, or speech synthesizers. With the rapid growth of technology in the classroom, these basic tools of assistive technology are seeing great strides.

Screen readers. This technology is slightly different from text-to-speech. It simply informs students of what is on a screen. A student who is blind or visually impaired can benefit from the audio interface screen readers provide. Students who otherwise struggle to glean information from a computer screen can learn more easily through technology meant to inform them.

Simulations. Simulations are akin to video games, which automatically make them more attractive to your students. There are many types of simulations that can help instruct children, teens, and college students. For example, there are flight simulators that can be used to help highlight different areas, such as the historic flight of Amelia Earhart across the Atlantic Ocean and various Physics concepts. Simulations can be made as presentations or be provided on different devices

Social Networking refers to the ability and platforms that allow users to interact online, often in real time. Users can conduct live chats, and create or leave comments on blogs or discussion groups.

Software. refers to the programs and applications that make use of the hardware to direct the functions of a computer. Software allows users to give instructions to the computer hardware and receive feedback.

Speech-to-text options. This technology is making mainstream waves through its use in popular cell phones like the Android-platform Razr M. While it is a convenience tool for people without disabilities, speech-to-text provides a learning advantage for students who have mobility or dexterity problems or those who are blind. It allows students to speak their thoughts without typing and even navigate the Internet. speech-to-text options can also “talk back” to students and let them know about potential errors in their work.

Time-management tools. These tools are variations on calendar software. They can be used to schedule your appointments, or you may want to take advantage of more complex features. Some tools can be viewed online, affording access for more than one student at a time. A teacher can arrange appointments or make a note of due dates for assignments so that all students in a class can keep track of such details. Most of these tools allow the option to put some information in private mode, too, so the administrator can choose which calendars people can see and which cannot. Most of these tools include a feature allowing teachers to arrange meetings and groups.

Technology. refers to use and application of technical means, drawing from advances in various fields of science and engineering, to change a person’s interaction with the physical world.

Virtual classrooms. Are a brand new technology that’s quickly spreading to teacher education programs across the nation. The concept is a bit like a flight simulator that a pilot might use before getting into a real plane. Teachers are placed in a virtual classroom full of virtual students and must teach as if they were really in the classroom.

Virtual laboratories. These Web applications give students the chance to perform physical science experiments over and over, from anywhere with Internet access. As in a physical lab, the performance of the student will determine the results of the experiment. While not a replacement for all in-lab exercises, the virtual version can provide extra practice and guidance. There is no pressure to “get it right” on the first run, and mistakes are allowable because the technology lends itself to no-cost repetition. It also may prove a smart solution to rekindling the American public’s interest in the scientific.

Virtual reality. refers to a computer-simulated environment, which may be a simulation of the real world or an imaginary world.

Wearable technology. Can be used for a variety of purposes. Most common are fitness trackers, which have taken over the tech world. Fitness trackers, like the popular FitBit, are more than just fancy pedometers. While they do track the number of steps you take, many are stepping up their game and keeping track of heart rate, calories burned, and even sleep patterns. These advanced features have made fitness trackers a trend on college campuses and elsewhere.

Wiki. is a collaborative website, which can be directly edited by anyone with access to it.

Conclusion

Well, that’s it for my guide. Take the time that you need to become familiar with all the buttons and wires of the modern age, and you’ll become a resource as invaluable to your students as Wi-Fi. What concepts or terms did I leave out?