The EDGE: Survey: Use of social media, technology rises in schools

In-person visits aimed at helping online students succeed | Philadelphia launches new online academy | N.J. bans tracking of students through school technology

Created for jmabs1@gmail.com | Web Version

When Writing with Technology Matters shows how to take advantage of students' affinity for technology to change and improve the writing process. Includes detailed 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. Click here or visit stenhouse.com for details!

April 18, 2013

CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF

FORWARD

ARCHIVE

ADVERTISE

Head of the Class

Survey: Use of social media, technology rises in schools
The number of school districts represented on at least one social network in the past two years has risen 44%, to 74% of districts surveyed, according to a survey by the Center for Digital Education and the National School Boards Association. The survey also found that 94% of districts surveyed permit teachers to use Web 2.0 tools -- up from 82% two years ago -- and just 9% of respondents said their districts do not have bring-your-own-device programs. T.H.E. Journal (4/17)

eLearning

In-person visits aimed at helping online students succeed
This year, the Mesa Distance Learning online program is using federal funds to pay for a traveling "mentor," who visits the program's most at-risk students and helps them stay on track. In the first three months, the mentor has encouraged 50 online students to return to their classes. The mentor checks whether students have been logging into classes or are falling behind, then calls and offers visits to students who need them. The Arizona Republic (Phoenix) (tiered subscription model) (4/17)

Systems Management

Philadelphia launches new online academy
The Philadelphia school district is launching the Philadelphia Virtual Academy -- an online learning option for students in grades 6-12. The virtual academy is intended to draw students who have left the district for cybercharter schools, which are more expensive for the district. The goal is for 1,000 students to enroll in the first year and 1,200 the year after, one official said. The Philadelphia Inquirer (4/18)

Other News

N.J. bans tracking of students through school technology
NorthJersey.com (Hackensack, N.J.) (free registration)/The Associated Press (4/15)
Share:

Managing Budgets

Mich. legislation could direct schools' capital funds to technology
School districts in Michigan would have more control over how they spend state funding under legislation being considered by state lawmakers. Under the proposals, districts could spend funds currently reserved for capital projects on school technology, security and other expenses. AnnArbor.com (Mich.) (4/17)

Schools and Social Media

Teacher plans road trip to "burst the bubble"

While social media is a useful tool to help educators connect, it has limits, asserts Michigan high-school English teacher Nicholas Provenzano, who is embarking on #EduTour13 -- a cross-country trek in which he will talk with non-educators about their experiences in school and thoughts on education. Provenzano writes that he will "burst the bubble" that he is in as an educator. "As educators, we need to continue to push ourselves to be better," he writes. "If we stop growing, we are failing the students that come into our classroom." SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Education (4/17)

Other News

#Accepted: Incoming freshmen share their college plans online
U.S. News & World Report/Best Colleges blog (4/17)
Share:

Last Byte

Sponsored By

Meet social media's 50 most influential people
A survey of social media influencers completed using Peek Analytics reveals a number of trends for 2013, Haydn Shaughnessy writes. Some key players -- including top-ranked influencer Sean Gardner -- blend social media insights with motivational messages. Others win success by focusing on specific verticals such as hospitality, music or for-profit social media use. The list also contains more self-made social media stars than past iterations, Shaughnessy writes. Forbes (4/17)

New Student Survey Captures Classroom-Level Feedback
Developed by Battelle for Kids in collaboration with Gallup^®, The Student Experience™ Survey captures classroom-level feedback about the student learning experience. The survey can be taken online in less than 15 minutes, protecting valuable instructional time and providing actionable information for educators. TheStudentExperience.org.

SmartQuote