Blog Archives - The EdTech Roundup

7 Mindsets to Present edWebinars on SEL Research and Practice

4/26/2018

Hosted by edWeb.net, the series will introduce the mindsets-based approach to social-emotional learning and discuss its personal and professional application

(Roswell, GA) April 26, 2018 -- 7 Mindsets, the national leader in mindsets-based social and emotional learning (SEL), today announced that it will present a two-part, complimentary edWebinar series that explores SEL from two perspectives: that of the researcher and the practitioner. Mindsets-based SEL leverages the modern understanding of the brain to empower educators to drive higher levels of achievement and happiness for themselves and for their students.

“I’m excited to introduce the 7 Mindsets and discuss their personal and professional application,” said Lupita Knittel, the President of 7 Mindsets and the host of both webinars. “If you join us, you’ll leave inspired, empowered, and with practical strategies to incorporate these 7 Mindsets into your personal life, your school, and your community!”

Funds For Learning Urges Public Commentary in 2018 E-rate Survey

4/25/2018

Schools and libraries are invited to demonstrate the importance of E-rate funding and broadband connection in annual survey

(EDMOND, OK) April 25, 2018 – The Modernization Order that expanded federal E-rate funding to include broadband and internet services will expire in 2020. To inform the Federal Communications Commission in evaluating and refreshing the vitality of the $4 billion program, Funds For Learning announces its eighth annual E-rate Applicant Survey. By participating, schools and libraries enrolled in the E-rate program can submit direct feedback to the FCC without the burden of preparing individual and formal responses. Each year, Funds For Learning compiles this information and presents it to the FCC in an annual E-rate Trends Report that highlights applicants’ need for E-rate support.

Cal Poly Pomona Uses Video Coaching to Train More Special Education Teachers in High-Needs Regions

4/23/2018

U.S. DOE grant to provide scholarships and technology to teacher candidates at Cal Poly Pomona’s College of Education & Integrative Studies

(POMONA, CA) April 17, 2018 – The country is facing a critical shortage of special education teachers. According to the National Coalition on Personnel Shortages in Special Education, 49 states currently report a having more demand than available supply of certified teachers.

The need to increase the number of fully-trained special education teachers led the U.S. Department of Education to fund the “SEEDS: Special Educators of Excellence in Diverse Settings” project from the College of Education & Integrative Studies at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona). The project will provide scholarships over the next five years to future teachers in the Los Angeles County region to become credentialed special educators.

SAM Labs Launches SAM Blockly to Offer Block-Based Programing on Chromebooks

4/23/2018

STEAM-focused edtech company joins forces with Workbench to create a complete classroom solution that supports students’ progression to block-based programming

(LONDON) April 23, 2018 – STEAM education is a focal point of U.S. classrooms, fueled by rising demand for skilled workers with the computer programming and coding skills required to fill 21st-century careers. SAM Labs, an edtech startup that empowers teachers with the most engaging STEAM classroom solutions, is leading the movement to equip schools with instructional resources and technology.

SAM Labs today launched SAM Blockly, a solution that enables students to progress from visual flow-based programming to block-based programming. Created in partnership with Workbench, SAM Blockly is a complete classroom solution that allows users to access a combination of content, the SAM Blockly app and SAM blocks. The programming app contains a Blockly programming environment to interact with SAM blocks, which are wireless Bluetooth hardware blocks that are either inputs or outputs such as motors and light sensors.

Award Competition for Serious Games Made by Students: Entries Due May 15

4/23/2018

Washington, DC - April 23, 2018, 2018 -- The Serious Games Association is again offering an award competition for board and digital games used for education or training created by students currently in high school or college academic game development programs. Submissions are due by May 15, 2018.

Aperture Education Announces Micro-grant Recipients

4/22/2018

Micro-grant program provides up to $20,000 to schools and organizations for social-emotional learning assessments

(Charlotte, NC) April 20, 2018 — Social-emotional learning company Aperture Education today announced the recipients of its 2018 micro-grant program for schools and out-of-school-time organizations. The micro-grant program provides up to $20,000 to help the winners get started in assessing students’ social and emotional competencies.

The grants provide six months of access to Evo Social/Emotional, Aperture Education’s online social-emotional learning (SEL) assessment and intervention system, as well as training to help them implement it. Evo Social/Emotional features the Devereux Student Strengths Assessment (DESSA) to measure students’ SEL competencies.

KLIK Communications Powers the Wireless Workplace

4/18/2018

KLIK Boks enables presenters to stream content from their devices to any HD display wirelessly, eliminating cable mismatches, fumbling between presenters and costly delays

(REDMOND, WA) Apr. 11, 2018 – KLIK Communications, a leader in wireless technology solutions, is powering the wireless workplace with its line of wireless presentation systems. Ideal for business, education, worship and government, their KLIK Boks line of products enable users to stream content from Windows, Mac, iOS, Chrome and Android devices to any projector or video display screen in full-HD without the use of wires.

Become a MindPlay Author Contest Offers Students Publication and $100

4/17/2018

MindPlay recognizes and rewards talented student writers and the teachers who inspire them.

(Tucson, AZ) April 16, 2018---Online reading and literacy publisher, MindPlay, today announced the launch of its Become a MindPlay Author Contest 2018. Designed to reward both talented students and the teachers who inspire them, the contest will recognize student winners and their teachers with 100 dollars each, and professional publication of the student’s work.

The contest is a creative real-world activity ideal for engaging learners during the final months of the school year.

"Destination: Mars" Takes Children on the Adventure of a Lifetime

4/16/2018

Polish startup Skriware enters the US market with unique educational solution

Warsaw, Poland, April 16, 2018 – Skriware, a 3D printing company focusing on innovative EdTech solutions, has announced that it is entering the US market with its online, educational course called “Destination: Mars”. Skriware’s ecosystem, which includes e-learning platform, robots and 3D printers, is designed to help students develop unique, and highly sought-after skills in the technology space.

The company provides young explorers with hands-on experiences that encourage their interest in science, robotics, and creative thinking. Geared towards nine to 16-year-olds, “Destination: Mars” introduces the cutting-edge concept of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) education through a playful and adventurous scenario. The course takes children on a 15-hour mission, during which they are introduced to robotics, as well as learn how algorithms and coding work. The course is supplemented by Mars trivia, various facts from science, physics and chemistry fields, and knowledge-testing quizzes, which all together inspire a student’s passion and curiosity for learning.

Zorbit’s Math Adventure Enhances its K-3 Digital Math Resource to Empower Early Learners

4/15/2018

St. John’s, NL, April 11, 2018 /CNW/ - Zorbit’s Math Adventure is excited to announce a series of improvements that enable teachers to better assess student performance, identify learning gaps, and act to improve outcomes. Building on feedback received from users, some of the improvements to the resource include changes to gameplay, additional content, and strengthened teacher controls.