The following articles are guides from our staff to help educators plan and deliver the most effective and secure technology for modern learning. 

By Elliott Levine

With so many educators and industry experts speaking about the importance of STEM education, so few students explore STEM careers.

How can emerging technology help inspire imagination and creativity, much of the foundation for future leaders in this space?

Visualizing the Chasm

While attending an industry event recently, the keynote speaker spoke of wonders and the limitless possibilities edtech can afford young people. However, every speaker that followed was deep in the weeds, speaking about individual software products as the goal, when they are merely tools that, when used effectively, can empower students and educators to go much further.

Read more: STS Article – Crossing the EdTech Chasm

By Elliott Levine

BYOD A Four-letter Word for Parents and Schools

As local schools continue to find creative ways they think can stretch budget dollars, we, as parents, may be experiencing the “Bring Your Own Device” fad growing in your community. In fact, many publications have written about adoption strategies (such as the following tip sheet or this micro-site). There are even resources to help address some of the challenges that schools face with BYOD, such as the following article or tip sheet.

BYOD a Problem, Not a Solution

Before I get into the reasons that BYOD will fail to be the magic bullet for education, I want to debunk the belief that schools cannot afford to adopt 1:1 learning models within their existing budgets. Some of the recent research from ProjectRED has confirmed that, when adopted properly, 1:1 programs can save, on average, approximately $450 per student annually. But the key words are “adopted properly.”

Read more… BYOD A Four-letter Word for Parents and Schools

By Elliott Levine

For decades now, schools have unwittingly been purchasing technology for the sole purpose of substitution — or according to the SAMR framework, using technology as a direct replacement for other traditional tools but without a true transformative element. The framework outlines four degrees of technology integration in the classroom: substitution, augmentation, modification and redefinition.

It is within the latter two — modification and redefinition — that real change happens. According to SAMR, to truly make a difference in the lives of students, edtech must enable new paradigms providing meaningful experiences for young people.

“Experiential innovation that empowers young people to play an active role in their learning, as opposed to sitting in their seats passively absorbing information, represents modern learning at its best.”

Read more… How the Most Promising EdTech is Helping Teachers Connect