edtech
Our rundown of new edtech this year spans technology that has been in development for decades to that which has not yet been widely adopted or even brought to market in a viable way. Many of these products and services have hundreds of millions in venture capital backing them; others have been entirely bootstrapped by their developers.
As universities and schools increase their use of data analytics for initiatives related to student retention and academic performance, the amount of data they collect is growing, which worries security experts. In higher education, in addition, the presence of intellectual property related to corporate and government research also is attractive to hackers.
Technology has changed the way learning takes place in today’s education. Unlike the past where learning computers was a lesson among other lessons, digital technology is currently a classroom tool that enables students to study just any subject. It has also helped tutors to develop more interactive classes and engage the students in the running processes. Here are ten things that everyone should know about today’s students and digital learning.
The United States Department of Education is betting on virtual reality to help students with high-functioning autism and learning disabilities in schools across the country. This month the Office of Special Education and Programs announced its investment of $2.5 million toward a new program that will use VR to nurture social skills in students with disabilities - an extension on earlier funding for versions of the program designed for desktop and tablets in 2011.
Even after recent high-profile incidents, cybersecurity can seem abstract and non-urgent, but of course, cybersecurity is a necessity in education. Schools have valuable information to protect for both students and employees. However, as financial and physical security issues arise, cybersecurity can fall down the list.
Over the last few years, I have observed a few alarming trends in higher education. Being EdTech entrepreneurs means that we need to stay ahead of the curve, and it makes us accountable to address these issues using technology, extensive data analysis and the right plan of execution. Here are some of the most prevalent problems facing the education economy and students today.
K–12 schools are looking for new ways to connect qualified teachers with their students. Videoconferencing tools and online learning environments may be the answer. The number of teachers in the U.S. has been shrinking over the past few years, and school administrators are noticing.
Even as some in Silicon Valley circles try to keep their kids away from smartphones and other technology, many others believe kids' exposure to devices is inevitable and our job is to make sure that they learn and stay healthy along the way.
Google has steadily taken over the ed-tech market with its super-cheap Chromebooks and user-friendly education management software. In 2017, Chromebooks and other Google devices made up 58% of all devices purchased for US classrooms, according to Futuresource data. That figure was a mere 5% in 2012.
Rachel Gorton, instructional technology coordinator for Minnesota’s Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191, talks to EdTech about making technology as transparent as possible, so that student learning can shine through.