Blog

Bring Your Own (BYO): Crawl, Walk, Run

2012-02-16T18:24:02+00:00

Bring Your Own Technology initiatives are top of mind for school administrators everywhere this year. Regardless of size, location or demographics, schools across the nation need to improve learning and they acknowledge that technology can help. Today’s budget realities require new approaches. The paradigm shift of allowing student/teacher owned devices leave administrators wondering how to best create safe and improved learning environments.

February OTO Newsletter - BYOD

2012-02-13T14:35:03+00:00

The February OTO Newsletter is now available online. This is a special edition with information about “Bring Your Own Devices.”

Kids Making Games for Education

2012-02-09T18:06:49+00:00

Awesome example of student collaboration, creating and producing, integrating all those universal skills we keep talking about!!
Kids making games for education
Kids in Sunderland making games to teach their friends. Learner generated content!

Mobile Learning Seminar for Michigan School Districts

2012-02-09T17:44:35+00:00

Mobile Learning Seminar for Michigan School Districts
Hosted by Kent ISD – Grand Rapids, Michigan
For Michigan schools in Kent, Ionia, Montcalm, Newaygo, Ottawa, Allegan, Muskegon and Barry Counties.
April 10, 10:00am – 12:00pm

Textbook of the Future: The challenges

2012-02-09T13:38:16+00:00

This month, Apple dropped a bombshell on the academic community by introducing iBooks Textbooks and iBooks Author. In combination, the two create a compelling framework for re-engineering the textbook in electronic form for K-12 students, permitting for rich color educational content and possibly an entirely new textbook ecosystem that could be made accessible to tens of millions of schoolchildren.

FCC CHAIRMAN: DIGITAL TEXTBOOKS FOR ALL STUDENTS IN FIVE YEARS

2012-02-03T13:46:04+00:00

On February 1, 2012, at the first-ever Digital Learning Day Town Hall in Washington, DC, FCC Chairman Genachowski and Secretary of Education Duncan challenged states and the education and technology industries to get digital textbooks into the hands of all students in five years (see USA Today, Associated Press stories). Barriers to adoption of digital textbooks include: antiquated state procurement rules, lack of device and content interoperability, and connectivity costs. Six months ago, Genachowski and Duncan launched an effort with business and education leaders to help schools make the transition to digital textbooks.

See 1:1 Learning in Action in Alabama

2012-01-24T14:05:30+00:00

Cullman City Schools, Alabama will be showcased by the National School Boards Association’s Technology Leadership Network February 29 – March 2. This 2011 CoSN Team Winner proves 1:1 learning works…and they have the data to prove it! Join colleagues across the nation as the administrators, tech staff, educators, and board members of Cullman share their insights about what it takes to launch and support a successful 1:1 learning initiative. The district overview, classroom observations, mini-briefings, and ample time for networking make this a unique learning experience. To learn more, visit http://www.nsba.org/tlnsitevisits/. In addition to Cullman, NSBA is hosting spring visits in Texas, Arizona, and Nevada.

National PBS Survey Finds Teachers Want More Access to Classroom Tech

2012-01-24T13:36:17+00:00

Cost is Biggest Barrier, Pointing to Need for Free Digital Classroom Resources
ORLANDO, FL – Jan. 23, 2012 – PBS LearningMedia announced today findings from a national survey of teachers grades pre-K-12 that sheds light on the rising role of technology in America’s classrooms, as well as barriers teachers face to accessing the “right” digital resources. Ninety-one percent of teachers surveyed reported having access to computers in their classrooms, but only one-in-five (22 percent) said they have the right level of technology. PBS released the survey results at the 2012 Florida Education Technology Conference (FETC), where educators from across the country have gathered to share best practices about the use of technology in the classroom.

5 K-12 Ed Tech Trends for 2012

2012-01-13T18:03:39+00:00

In 2012 education technology will see an increased focus on individualization—from personalized learning environments to digital textbooks designed to connect students to the resources that work best for them. And with a growing number of students using handheld devices to access these learning tools, trend watchers can expect to see big pushes for faster innovation to tie everything together.

One-to-One Announces iPad Training

2012-01-13T14:39:48+00:00

• Are you considering or implementing a one-to-one teaching and learning program with iPads?
• Do you need to know how and where to begin?
• Or have you begun the process of implementing and discovered you’ve hit the wall or many roadblocks?
One-to-One Institute announces new professional learning opportunities to support educators in harnessing the power of iPad technologies to create successful one-to-one programs.
The Institute will customize professional learning experiences to meet a school’s or a district’s unique needs as it plans, designs and implements iPad one-to-one scenarios.