Education IT News — March 21, 2014
By Amy Taylor, contributing writer
IT is making education more accessible, but what happens to the proper certifications and who has the ownership over the material? Also, in the news funding IT advancements remains a concern.
Technology Education Turns To Hacking
Hacker schools — a place where people “learn code in a hurry”— are an emerging niche in education that help fill a need in an important industry, reports Government Technology. There isn’t a corresponding certificate or diploma, but the job placement is virtually a guarantee. There are dozens of hacker schools throughout the U.S., with the greatest concentration in high-tech markets like San Francisco, New York, and Boston.
Superintendents Want More Tech Funding For Schools
EdSource Today said that about 25 percent of districts surveyed in California want to provide teachers with more professional development in technology. More than half of the California school districts surveyed said they’ve spent all or most of the funds set aside to implement Common Core State Standards, but still have more to prepare for the new academic standards which rely more heavily on technology.
Technology Compliments Education In Elementary School Classrooms
The Statesman Journal did a report on a Silverton teacher who notices the difference technology makes in the classroom. After introducing iPads to a second and third grade classroom, reading levels improved dramatically, there’s a renewed interest in schoolwork and school supplies last longer. The classroom in study purchased 25 iPad Minis for about $7,500, which included some of the necessary software and covers.
Ed Tech Company Raises Millions To Streamline Credentials
InTheCapital reports that Parchment, a leading education technology company that streamlines the credential process, raised an additional $10 million, bringing the total capital to $45 million raised. The ed tech company plans to empower the tech-savvy generation to leverage their credentials to explore new opportunities.
Education IT Talking Points
eCampus News reported on paperless technology and the 8 ways this technology can save time across all departments. The reasons span from workplace efficiency for administrators to saving time in applications and analysis.
The American Interest brings up an evolved point of ownership over online courses in Who Owns MOOCs? A number of schools are grappling with this question now.
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, is championing a single set of education guidelines in the Common Core Standards, said Lawyer Herald. Gates believes that the U.S. needs to adopt a rigorous education program for math, English language arts and literacy. His latest advocacy stands on the reasoning that America is not delivering on its promise to educate all kids in public schools.
For more news and insights, visit BSMinfo’s Education IT Resource Center.