Education IT News For VARs 2-19-15: Location-Based Platform For Social Learning
By Christine Kern, contributing writer
In news this week, the University of San Diego launches the first location-based platform for social learning, and colleges are future-proofing their networks by adopting 802.11ac standards.
Location-Based Platform For Social Learning Launched By University Of San Diego
The University of San Diego has announced the launch of the first location-based platform for social learning, called the World Interactive Study Environment (WISE), which “allows students and professors to connect classroom concepts with real world discoveries through photographs, videos, interactive conversations, and comments all occurring in real time.” The new platform leverages the latest geospatial technologies to inspire location-based learning.
Colleges Need To Future-Proof Their Networks By Moving To 802.11ac Standard
This article from Campus Technology highlights the challenges of the ever-growing wireless needs of the constituency of colleges and universities, and demonstrates that those who are ahead of the curve are “future-proofing their networks” by moving to the new 802.11ac standard. According to the article, devices that adhere to the new 802.11ac standard provide access on the 5-GHz band, which is less crowded than the heavily used 2.4 GHz spectrum, and the new standard offers technology that makes more transmissions at the same time through smartphones and tablets.
FERPA Requirements Could Extend To Solutions Providers
Lawmakers are pursing updates to (Family Education Rights and Privacy Act) FERPA, according to Education Week. Representative Todd Rokita, (R- IN), chair of the House education subcommittee, explained, “the law has not been significantly updated since its introduction in 1974. Unless Congress updates FERPA and clarifies what information can be collected, how that information can be used, and if that information can be shared, student privacy will not be properly protected.” As part of this focus, expanding FERPA to apply to vendors and including requirements around data security standards and notifications of data breaches are being discussed.
Education IT Talking Points
Blackboard could be expanding, again. Recently it purchased Schoolwires, a company that builds and hosts K-12 websites and apps, in order to improve its solutions and services in that market, and last year it acquired ParentLink, another critical component for the K-12 marketplace. Now, Blackboard is flirting with the acquisition of PowerSchool, a popular student information system (SIS) that serves more than 13 million students around the globe, from Pearson. If completed, the deal could raise questions regarding the impact on other third-party PowerSchool partners, especially LMS providers including Schoology, School Loop and Naiku, which compete with Blackboard.
For more news and insights, visit BSMinfo’s Education IT Resource Center.