FCC works to get schools connected As more schools integrate technology in the classroom, the Federal Communications Commission has recognized the need to help schools access the infrastructure -- such as Internet connections, improved bandwidth and wireless networks -- that make such programs a success. However, an early draft of the FCC's revision of the E-Rate program does not include more funding for such work. Instead, the FCC is hoping to streamline the program, in part, by making it more cost-effective for school districts. That includes helping schools buy in bulk and organizing purchasing agreements. KQED.org/Mind/Shift blog (7/29) | Ohio teachers bring reading lessons to students over the summer A group of teachers from Chillicothe, Ohio, have been working this summer to staff Unioto Elementary School's mobile-reading lab to try to help students maintain their reading skills over the break. Teachers, who have been visiting four locations twice a week since June, have been reading with students and bringing along iPads to allow students to play educational games. Chillicothe Gazette (Ohio) (8/1)
| Demand for blended learning changes virtual model Two of the country's top providers in virtual education -- serving Florida and New Hampshire -- are expanding their services to include blended models. Based on demand for blended learning, officials say the Florida Virtual School will add a physical space and the Virtual Learning Academy Charter School in New Hampshire will include lessons in a real-world physical environment for such things as workplace experience. Education Week/Digital Education blog (7/31) Other News | Duncan: Reversing sequestration still a top priority U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan's prediction of as many as 40,000 lost teaching jobs as a result of federal sequestration has not come to pass, but he said in a recent interview with education reporter Alyson Klein that educators and students are still feeling the effect of the cuts. He praised states for covering some budget gaps and said reversing the sequestration is a top priority for him. "There have been critical investments that school districts would have preferred to make and they weren't able to make them," Duncan said. "We shouldn't feel good about that." Education Week/Politics K-12 blog (7/31) | Guidelines for teachers when using technology As more technology is used by students and teachers, Eric Larson of Mashable has compiled a list of do's and don'ts for educators to follow when navigating the complicated digital landscape. Suggestions include using privacy settings, communicating with students on their level and flipping classroom instruction. Teachers also are advised to avoid posting negative comments about students and posting about inappropriate activities. Mashable (7/29) | Teacher of the Year poses questions about the future of education National Teacher of the Year Jeff Charbonneau said there are five questions that states and their leaders need to answer about education, SmartBrief Associate Editor Katharine Haber writes in this blog post. Among the questions Charbonneau asked Sunday during his keynote address at the annual conference of the National Association of State Boards of Education: How are teachers being utilized; how can students' transitions to middle school, high school and beyond be made easier; and what is the plan to give educators enough time to prepare for teaching? SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Education (7/30)
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