Blog Archives - The EdTech Roundup

Verso Learning Launches Version 2.0 of its High-Impact Teaching Product

5/29/2018

With 12 new features, the collaborative online teaching and learning platform is further empowering teachers to maximize student learning in every lesson

(Orange County, CA) May 22, 2018 — Verso Learning, a leading provider of high- impact teaching resources, today announced the release of version 2.0 of its cloud-based platform. The changes incorporate extensive data and evidence from classroom usage and teacher feedback collected over the last two years.

The new version will expand Verso’s capacity to support teachers to place high-impact teaching strategies at the heart of their practices.

“Every feature in the new Verso platform was designed specifically according to evidence-based research and direct teacher feedback,” said Colin Wood, the CEO of Verso Learning. “The effect is a unique teaching and professional development resource that is embedded in the classroom and focused on maximizing a teacher’s impact on student learning outcomes. Teachers can apply the most pedagogically advanced, evidence-based teaching strategies to their lesson plans and activities, and refine their approach based on continual student feedback and real-time evidence direct from the class.”

Data-Driven Instruction Goes Mainstream with U.S. K-12 Teachers: Kahoot! EdTrends Report

5/24/2018

Insights based on the game-based learning platform’s reach of more than 70 million monthly active users and a survey of 1500+ educators include trends from 2018 and best practices for the education technology space.

(AUSTIN, TX) May 23, 2018 — Teachers are increasingly using data-driven instruction and intervention in U.S. K-12 classrooms and demonstrating a significant jump in awareness and usage of data practices in 2018 compared to previous years, noted the 2018 Kahoot! EdTrends Report for educators, launched today.

Kahoot!, the game-based learning platform and one of the fastest growing learning brands, published the report which addresses latest trends in EdTech in the U.S. K-12 market. Kahoot! has more than 70 million monthly active users globally, which includes more than 50% U.S. K-12 students and more than 47% of U.S. K-12 teachers.

Texas Instruments launches “STEM Squad” to keep students’ math and science skills sharp over the summer

5/23/2018

STEM Squad will surprise kids throughout the summer with fun, interactive and hand-on STEM lessons

(DALLAS, TX) May 22, 2018 -- While school may be winding down, it’s not a time to stop learning, especially in critical science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. The National Summer Learning Association* reports that students lose two months of their grade-level math computational skills over the summer. And, when kids return to school in the fall, about nine out of 10 teachers will spend as much as three weeks on review because of summer learning loss.

To help combat the so-called “summer slide” and keep students’ STEM skills sharp, Texas Instruments (TI) is excited to launch a summer STEM tour, kicking off today at C.E. Williams Middle School for Creative and Scientific Arts in Charleston, South Carolina. From now through September, TI’s STEM squad will visit school campuses across the country, offering project-based learning activities that make important STEM concepts relevant in real-world, meaningful ways. TI will also host live, virtual field trips throughout the summer to give even more students an opportunity to engage with STEM.

Team4Tech and Pure Storage Boost Education in Rural Alaska’s Yukon-Koyukuk Public School District, Provide Pro Bono Technology Support

5/19/2018

(Redwood City, CA) May 18, 2018-- Team4Tech, the non-profit that advances 21st century education in underserved communities, announced it is partnering with Pure Storage (NYSE: PSTG) on an immersive service learning project in rural Alaska. Pure Storage, the all-flash storage platform that helps innovators build a better world with data, has selected ten employees to support students and educators across Yukon communities.

Sharing knowledge on topics from 3D printing to WAN acceleration, the Pure Storage employees will be in Fairbanks, Alaska from May 13 – 20, 2018 to contribute skilled pro bono technology help. The Yukon-Koyukuk School District serves 1,850 students and covers 65,000 square miles, an area the size of the state of Washington.

Guest Post: The Computer Science Teachers’ Association of Ireland

5/13/2018

The Computer Science Teachers’ Association of Ireland (CSTAI) was founded in November 2017. To date, we have over 400 members and 36 of the 40 Leaving Certificate Computer Science pilot schools have joined. The CSTAI offers a free collection of resources for Computer Science, Coding, Digital Media, Computing and IT/ICT on a Google Drive where the members can access, download and modify for their classes needs.

Examples of such resources are PowerPoints, Notes, worksheets and videos.

The CSTAI places a strong emphasis on the Irish Language and offers a set of hundreds of technical computing terminology translated into Irish.

One of the main reasons the CSTAI was established was to promote sharing of ideas and resources between teachers. The CSTAI has a strong base on the island of Ireland. It is now time for connections to be made beyond our borders and swap ideas and resources with international teachers.

If you would like to get involved in this exchange of teaching resources, please email:
[email protected]

Educational Toy Designer Microduino Launches New Mix Kit Series To Facilitate STEM/STEAM Instruction and Learning in Schools

5/10/2018

Comprehensive In-Classroom Systems Help Students Explore the Intersecting Worlds Of Electronics, Coding and Product Design, While Enhancing Their Technology Intelligence, Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills

(WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA) -- May 9, 2018 — Microduino Inc., an award-winning global designer, developer, manufacturer and seller of stackable electronic building blocks, related components, and in-class science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning systems, today announced the introduction and availability of four curriculum-ready Microduino Mix Kits.

These are to facilitate STEM/STEAM instruction in a broad spectrum of academic institutions. Exclusively designed for the education market, Microduino Mix Kits increase students’ interest and proficiency in skills critical to building tomorrow’sideas, products and workforces.

Microduino has teamed with teachers, administrators, and academic experts and visionaries to develop a series of four powerful learning systems that progressively teach children, as young as five years old, basic electronic circuitry, coding, and product design. Microduino Mix Kits also encourage the creation and exploration of limitless applications beyond included pre-coded design projects. Collectively, the four new products represent an innovative instruction approach that builds upon the company’s existing mPuzzle and mPie product lines to deliver a comprehensive STEM/STEAM education roadmap for elementary and high school students.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Author Will Kick off 2018 Writing Bee Finals

5/10/2018

Jeff Kinney will provide the first chapter of a story, and qualifying students from around the world will compete to complete the subsequent chapters on BoomWriter

(BOSTON, MA) May 8, 2018 - BoomWriter Media, Inc., a leading provider of online collaborative writing solutions for education, today announced that best-selling children’s books author and Diary of a Wimpy Kid series creator Jeff Kinney will expand his role in The 2018 Writing Bee by providing the story start for the Finals rounds.

Kinney’s compelling first chapter will serve as the starting point for the next phase of the event, as thousands of 4th- and 5th-graders representing U.S. and U.K.-based school districts read, write, share, and vote on the best-written submissions to create an original nonfiction story and determine The 2018 Writing Bee Champion.

Vernier Kicks Off 2018 Summer Institutes to Provide Science Educators with Hands-On Training Using Data-Collection Technology

5/2/2018

More than 20 full-day institutes provide valuable professional development for teachers across a wide variety of grade levels and science disciplines

(Beaverton, OR) May 1, 2018 — This summer, Vernier Software & Technology will host 21 full-day, hands-on training institutes to help science educators learn how to integrate data-collection technology into their curricula. Working alongside knowledgeable training specialists, educators will have the opportunity to use Vernier data-collection technology—including the new family of Go Direct sensors—to explore classroom-ready experiments and activities.

“Whether educators are new to data-collection technology or interested in delving deeper into using it with students, the Summer Institutes provide a great professional development opportunity,” said John Wheeler, CEO of Vernier Software & Technology. “Educators can take the new skills, techniques, and instructional practices they learn during the institutes back to their classrooms to engage students in meaningful hands-on science.”

Guest Post | 5 Platforms and Apps That Support Music Education

5/2/2018

Author: Bob Hand

When educators think of edtech, the first thing that comes to mind may be its applications in STEM subjects. However, every field can benefit from the inclusion of software that promotes learning, practice, and collaboration. For music instructors looking to boost motivation and engagement, there are a number of exciting platforms that support music education.

Even if you’re not a music educator, keep in mind that listening to and learning music composition can help students with studying. The universal benefits of these apps are suited to learners of all subjects and grade levels.

Wondering where to get started? Here are five music education platforms that have been making waves:

Let’s Start Coding Launches Free Online Teacher Training

5/2/2018

Teachers in the United States can apply for a free loaner coding kit to use during the online training. Upon completion, they will receive four continuing education credits.

(Louisville, KY) May 1, 2018-- According to research by Google, 91% of parents want their child to learn more computer science in the future [1], but schools can’t keep up. 73% of superintendents say that there are no teachers available at their schools/in their districts with the necessary skills to teach computer science [2].

Today, Let’s Start Coding announced a free online course to help teachers bring typed computer coding to their students.