What to consider before moving to the cloud A growing number of school districts are adopting cloud computing, in part, based on research showing it can help cut costs -- reducing IT spending by as much as 25% over five years, according to a recent report. However, when weighing cloud-computing options, it also is important to consider the risks, experts say. "Whether you are a school district, Coca Cola, or the Department of Defense, you have to assess how cloud computing affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your data," said Taiye Lambo, founder of CloudeAssurance, a private cloud-security consultancy. District Administration magazine (6/2013)  | Fun Vocabulary Games and Activities for Any Classroom Download fun, free vocabulary games and activities that you can use with your students—with any vocabulary words. Adapted from Zaner-Bloser's vocabulary program, Word Wisdom, activities include Vocabulary Bingo, Meaning Memory, and more. This free download is a special offer for Accomplished Teacher® SmartBrief readers. Download today. | | Setting goals for the best use of technology in the classroom When introducing technology in education, it is important to understand how technology is defined and critical for educators to "evaluate" the technology they need in the classroom. In this blog post, Matt Levinson, head of the Upper Division, Marin Country Day School in California, writes that the use of technology should be driven by the learning goals and he reminds teachers they do not have to use technology in every lesson. Edutopia.org/Matt Levinson's blog (5/29)
Other News | Common core sample tests are available to try online Sample math and language arts test questions for the online assessments that will accompany the Common Core State Standards have been released for grades 3 through 8 and 11, education reporter Sean Cavanagh writes in this blog post. Developed by the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium -- one of two coalitions designing common-core-aligned tests -- the online tests give educators, students and parents a chance to experience the new exams for themselves. Education Week/Digital Education blog (5/29) | Ala. district approves contracts to improve technology infrastructure In Baldwin County, Ala., officials have entered into two multiyear contracts to upgrade Internet access in elementary schools and improve the storage of student and financial information and other data. One contract with EMC Corp., a data-storage company, will cost $99,230 annually for three years, and the other with Cisco Systems to upgrade wireless capacity will cost $314,348 annually over five years. AL.com (Alabama) (5/29) | Vancouver considers new limits for teachers, students online In Vancouver, British Columbia, in Canada, officials are considering adopting the first policy to establish guidelines for the use of social media by teachers and students. Under the proposal, teachers and students would be banned from being Facebook friends for noneducational purposes. An acceptable interaction could be the creation of a Facebook page about a science experiment or talk of a field trip online, one school board member said. Metro (Canada) (5/27) |  | People do not lack strength, they lack will." -- Victor Hugo, French writer and artist | | Please contact one of our specialists for advertising opportunities, editorial inquiries, job placements, or any other questions. | | Publisher, Education Group: Joe Riddle P: 202.407.7857 ext. 228 | | | | |
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