Howdy, folks! Welcome to another in a series of biweekly ed tech news roundups. We hope you enjoy — and if you have a story you’d like to see included, let us know.
Computer Science, AP Style
It’s been three years since the introduction of the Computer Science Advanced Placement test. Now we’re seeing how students are faring on the nationwide exam.
- Not only has the number of students taking the exam more than doubled since its start, the test has seen a large growth among female students and students of color. [THE Journal]
- Computer science professor Christina Gardner-McCune makes the case that the growth of women and minorities in tech is vital to the future. She contends that “if the people who design the technology don’t include women, minorities, people with disabilities, or other individuals from diverse backgrounds, it could lead to technology that works for some or maybe even most but not all.” [The Conversation]
Positive Energy
It’s important to come into a new school year with energy. Some schools are taking that challenge literally.
- A STEM magnet school in Florida is the first net-zero school in the state, meaning the nearly 45,000 square-foot facility produces more energy than it uses (creating an estimated $115,000-a-year savings). [Osceola News-Gazette]
- A district in Indiana is moving to power its schools with a solar farm and building a solar-centric curriculum to complement it. [School Planning & Management]
Study Habits
Ed tech has become a constant in modern education. But whether we’re reviewing our software, devices, policy, or practices, research can help illuminate opportunities and challenges. Here are some recent studies that caught our eye.
- While ed tech has been a part of K-16 education for years, a new study conducted by PC Mag finds that many parents are buying tablets to send to preschool with their toddlers. [PC Mag]
- Each year renews discussions of how to fund schools. New studies indicate that, despite steady achievement trends nationally, more funding is associated with better outcomes across the country. [Chalkbeat]
…And Finally
Brands never miss an opportunity to stay timely — an on-trend tweet here, a new product there. Many jump on the back-to-school bandwagon, too. The latest line of merch meant for students heading back to class comes from a somewhat unlikely source, however: Taco Bell. [Food & Wine]
