As the summer season brings changing schedules, travel, and training, we wanted to help keep you informed on the latest in ed tech. That’s why we’re launching a series of biweekly Friday ed tech news roundups this summer. We hope you enjoy — and if you have a story you’d like to see included, let us know.
Teaching and Learning at a Distance
It goes without saying that technology has massively changed the way education can be delivered, especially at a distance.
- Speaking of massive, massive open online courses (MOOCs) have been touted as part of the future of education for several years. New data suggests where the technology’s strengths are, particularly in augmenting traditional learning and in self-paced training and master’s degree programs. [EdSurge]
- Severe weather is dangerous, and for educators, severely complicated. Many schools have to juggle schedules to make up for inclement weather. Some, however, are using learning management systems to give students independent learning days when it might be too dangerous to travel to campus. [Education Dive]
The Nordic Track and the Chinese Path
Systems of education differ around the world. Sometime’s it’s helpful to study those examples, their strengths, and their weakness.
- The nations of Scandinavia have embedded ed tech throughout their education systems, and the world is watching their example. Now, they’re working to balance disruptive technology with traditional education systems. [Computer Weekly]
- In recent years, China’s competitive education system has seen an explosion in digital education, especially in tutoring and college prep. As a number of competitors storm the market, the outcomes are being closely watched. What will succeed? How will it affect the rest of the world? [Financial Times]
Constructing the Future
Technology today is transforming education for every grade, subject, and type of education, including vocational, trade, and technical fields closely related to many PreK-12 courses and lessons.
- A new lab at the University of New Mexico is taking 3D printing to a higher level. The research facility will include 3D concrete and carbon fiber printers, technologies that could shape the next generation of construction materials and processes. [Albuquerque Journal]
- Anna High School, in rural Ohio, is investing in a robotics course intended to prepare students for careers in quickly-automating industries. [The New York Times]
…And Finally
- Everyone’s favorite (or was it least favorite?) viral sensation, “Baby Shark,” is getting its own TV show on Nickelodeon.
- In related aquatic-Nickelodeon-series news, an animated sensation from an earlier generation, Spongebob Squarepants, is getting a new spin-off series.