Pa. district seeks cultural change with iPad rollout Bart Rocco, superintendent of a Pennsylvania school district, said he is hoping to change the culture of the district by distributing iPads and other technology to all teachers, students and administrators. Under a school board's decision Wednesday, the district will lease iPad-mini devices for all kindergarten through second-grade students, iPads for the remaining student population, and iPads and laptop computers for all teachers and administrators. All school board members will receive an iPad as well. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review/McKeesport Daily News (6/20)  | Working with the architects and construction crews, AVI-SPL helped the Cranbrook Schools determine the most effective ways to implement communication solutions in a new school. AVI-SPL integrated digital signage for event communication and visitor information as well as 25 wall-mounted SMART boards to provide a more interactive classroom. Learn More | | Asking the right question about technology in the classroom When introducing technology, such as iPads, in the classroom, it can be natural to first ask whether the technology is compatible with what is already done in the class. David Jakes, a digital-learning strategist, writes in this blog post that a better question to ask is, "What should the student learning experience be?" He adds: "Make it about them and what they should experience in your school as a learner." SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Education (6/19)
Live broadcast connects Chinese students with astronaut More than 60 million students and teachers in China were estimated to watch a live lesson broadcast on state television, taught by a Chinese astronaut orbiting more than 186 miles above Earth. During the broadcast, the astronaut asked questions of students and covered topics in physics, including Isaac Newton's second law of motion and the surface tension of water. Google/AFP (6/20) Other News  | Get 1-on-1 Expert Help for Your School Common Core, teacher evaluations, student achievement—education experts are finding new ways to solve today's big challenges. Learn firsthand how they're doing it at SIIS 2013, July 8-11. Hear from Heidi Hayes Jacobs (Common Core implementation), Janice Poda of CCSSO (InTASC implementation), Alan November (technology in the classroom), and more. | | Fla. virtual school expects millions of dollars in lost funding Recent confusion over bills that families received for students' classes taken at a virtual charter school have highlighted some confusion over a recently passed bill that caps funding for students taking courses at public schools and Florida Virtual School. Star Kraschinsky, director of external affairs for Florida Virtual School, said his school is anticipating a loss of $37 million as a result. A local charter school recently sent families bills for $425 related to courses that students did not finish at the virtual school, but later said that was a mistake. The News-Press (Fort Myers, Fla.) (tiered subscription model) (6/19)  | 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. |
 | Fla. district's technology needs outpace funding A Florida school district is grappling with a slew of technology needs, but it does not have the funds to cover all of the costs. Instead, officials say the district has about $16 million to put toward $59 million in needed upgrades. The funding challenges come as the Broward district -- and others nationwide -- are preparing to implement online exams required under the Common Core State Standards. Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) (6/19)  |
When Writing with Technology Matters shows how to take advantage of students' affinity for technology to change and improve the writing process. Includes detailed descriptions of elementary and middle school literacy projects that teachers can follow step-by-step or use as a guide when planning their own technology-based projects. Preview the entire book! |
 | Social media helps extend learning in Canadian elementary school Students in a first-grade class at Eastwood Public School in Ontario, Canada, are using Twitter to solve math problems with a class in Singapore and share images of tadpole development with students in Iowa. The class has its own YouTube channel, and students also blog and use Skype to share their learning. "They have an audience that is not just their teacher anymore," teacher Kristen Wideen said. "If they want to share something they're proud of, they can share that and get feedback," she added. CBC.ca (Canada) (6/20) | Aerospace company helps school launch virtual-reality class Aerospace and defensive contractor Raytheon is helping an Arizona middle school pilot a virtual-reality class that allows students to design their own projects. "What we're trying to do is invest in today to insure that we'll have the engineers and technical professionals that we'll need in the future," said Laura McGill, deputy vice president of engineering at Raytheon. CBS News (6/18) |  | Anyone who has begun to think, places some portion of the world in jeopardy." -- John Dewey, American philosopher, psychologist and education reformer | | 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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