Can simulation games improve student learning in STEM?

Hong Kong middle school uses iPads to engage students | Defining good character for students | Nonprofit looks to technology to prevent school tragedies Created for jmabs1@gmail.com |  Web Version     June 18, 2013 CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF       SIGN UP | FORWARD | ARCHIVE | ADVERTISE Head of the Class Sponsored By Can simulation games improve student learning in STEM? An analysis of 77 studies conducted by SRI and funded by the Gates Foundation shows that using video games -- particularly simulation games -- along with instruction in science, technology, engineering and math may lead to an improvement in student achievement. "We should be careful not to view learning technologies as a replacement for deep teacher and student interactions. We see effective technology supports as enabling the opposite," said Stacey Childress, Gates Foundation deputy education director. KQED.org/Mind/Shift blog (6/17) Share:        Game Changer for Back-to-School Orientation MyPaymentsPlus automates orientation by placing the paperwork online. Parents pay for school fees & meals, make contributions, digitally sign to acknowledge required documents & provide needed information using the secure, web-based system. Allows parents more time to interact with teachers, and saves districts on labor & paper costs. Learn more.   eLearning Sponsored By Hong Kong middle school uses iPads to engage students A middle school in Hong Kong is taking the lead in integrating technology, including tablet computers, into instruction. Beginning in the fall, the school will issue iPad devices to students in some grades, and students already are using Facebook to communicate and are using an online learning system. However, it's unclear whether other schools in the country will follow suit. South China Morning Post (Hong Kong) (free registration) (6/17) Share:      Other News Defining good character for students SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Education (6/17) Share:      Organizations Consider Different Paths To Affordable Care Act Compliance Download this Mercer Survey Report to read how different organizations are approaching new regulations governing employee health benefits and where most of the concerns are centered. Systems Management Nonprofit looks to technology to prevent school tragedies In response to the tragic shootings in December at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., the nonprofit Sandy Hook Promise is working to connect investors and entrepreneurs with the common goal of creating technology and other resources to improve mental health, school safety and gun safety. The group is expected in September to announce which startups will receive grants, and officials expect the group's focus will help bring such technologies to market. KNTV-TV (San Francisco) (6/17) Share:        Other News Auditor recommends improvements to technology integration in Mass. district Wicked Local/The Winchester Star (6/17) Share:      Education Cartoon Managing Budgets Crowdfunding sites help teachers find funds for PBLs Crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter and the newly launched education-based site IncitED can help teachers secure funding for project-based learning lessons to implement during the school year, education journalist Suzie Boss writes in this blog post. In addition to analyzing these and other sites, Boss also offers three tips from IncitED co-founder Jaime Wood for creating an online pitch to attract donors. Edutopia.org/Suzie Boss's blog (6/17) Share:      Schools and Social Media Ill. district could ban individual communication via social media An Illinois school district is considering a new policy that would ban one-on-one communication between educators and students via social media or text-messaging. The policy, which could be approved as soon as July, also would apply to coaches, who would have to communicate game cancellations and other information with parents -- rather than students. Officials say the revised policy would ensure professional relationships and that all parties are on the same page. WQAD-TV (Moline, Ill.) (6/18) Share:        Last Byte What areas of the U.S. have the best high-school graduation rates? Education always is a hot topic at the local, state and federal level, but it seems few take the time to compare which regions do the best job of graduating high-school students. This analysis looks at the data by U.S. county and looks at the relationship between graduation rates and per capita income plus access to health insurance. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Leadership (6/17) Share:        SmartQuote We take our bearings, daily, from others. To be sane is, to a great extent, to be sociable." -- John Updike, American writer Share:      Subscriber Tools Please contact one of our specialists for advertising opportunities, editorial inquiries, job placements, or any other questions.   Lead Editor:  Katharine Haber Contributing Editor:  Erin Cunningham Publisher, Education Group:  Joe Riddle   P: 202.407.7857 ext. 228     SIGN UP   SHARE   ADVERTISE   SEND FEEDBACK Update Profile | Change e-mail address | Unsubscribe |  Archive | Web version (print friendly) Download the SmartBrief App  iTunes / Android   Mailing Address: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 555 11th ST NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004 © 1999-2013 SmartBrief, Inc.® Privacy policy |  Legal Information