What to look for in SLO-ready technology infrastructure Student Learning Objectives -- measurable academic goals -- are becoming more popular in education circles, according to Kimberly Fleming, president and founder of Core Education. However, for SLOs to be effectively implemented, districts must build a technology infrastructure that can support them, Fleming writes. Also, SLOs require technology infrastructure that can manage assessments, data and data associations; streamline processes, establish an audit trail and create compliance reports, she notes. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Education (7/31)
| How technology is changing elementary-school literacy education Technology has changed the meaning and scope of literacy during the past 20 years, elementary-school teacher Kathy Cassidy writes in this blog post. Cassidy writes that her students write simple stories on classroom blogs, learn to read on interactive e-books and share their communication skills to a worldwide audience, rather than being limited to a single teacher or class. "The days of students reading only books, writing only on paper and becoming literate in an isolated classroom have past," she writes. Powerful Learning Practice (7/28) Ala. school districts increase distribution of laptops to students To increase student engagement and prepare students to use the technology they will encounter in the workplace, three school districts in Alabama are issuing more personal laptops and other devices to students. Amy Graham, a math teacher in Oxford City Schools, said the devices can help build students' confidence in their math skills. "Usually with math, the kids walk in the door with their finger on the panic button, saying 'I can't do this,'" she said. "This gives them the opportunity to maybe hold off on that button." The Anniston Star (Ala.) (7/29) Other News | Online program helps Ariz. district align curriculum with common core The Holbrook Unified School District in Arizona for the second year will use an online curriculum developed by one of the state's top-performing school districts. The program -- Beyond Textbooks -- gives teachers access to standard curriculum maps in English/language arts and math and seeks to align content to state standards. The system allows teachers to track student achievement on Common Core State Standards assessments and plan enrichment activities. AzJournal.com (Holbrook, Ariz.) (7/26) | Skype in the Classroom connects teachers, students with resources In this blog post, Ariel Schwartz, a senior editor at Co.Exist, writes about the success of Skype in the Classroom, which launched about one year ago. Tony Bates, CEO of Skype, says one of his favorite examples of the technology in action is a project in which a beekeeper gave students a virtual tour while two teachers co-taught the lesson from separate schools, Schwartz writes. "The engagement level of the students went way up," Bates said. "In a video setting, people are more engaged. They know they're being watched." FastCoExist (7/30) | Students search school menus, nutrition facts on mobile app Students and parents in a Utah school district have access to a new mobile application for school menus, where they can learn about their schools' lunch and breakfast options. The application lists nutritional information for menu items and potential allergens, such as peanuts and eggs, and officials say the application also will list the local farms that supply fresh produce. "Just the touch of a button and it tells you how many carbs, fat, protein and sodium," student Jason Holgate said. The Deseret News (Salt Lake City) (7/30) |  | Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely." -- Auguste Rodin, French sculptor | | | 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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