T.H.E. SmartClassroom :: April 30, 2009

Spotlight

  • Student Achievement Increases in NAEP

    The overall academic performance of high school students in math and reading has remained basically flat over the last 35 years, but younger students have made some gains in both subjects, according to the latest long-term trend National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) report, released this week. Further, the achievement gaps between some ethnic groups have narrowed in that period. More
  • Special Needs Center Serves as One-Stop Technology Shop

    Palm Springs Unified School District took its use of technology to a new level last month by opening an Assistive Technology Diagnostic Center that will serve as a local resource for students with cognitive, academic, and physical challenges. The new facility provides free assessments for local students who in the past were forced to travel two to three hours to receive such services. More

Ed Tech News

  • Free Lecture Capture Software Coming to the Mac

    Panopto is adding native Mac recording to its lecture capture platform, CourseCast. The new tool, Macintosh Recorder, is currently in private beta and is expected to be released to subscribers of Socrates Premium Services, as well as hosted and corporate subscribers, in May. More
  • 463 Australian Schools To Go Wireless

    A massive 463 schools in New South Wales in Australia are going wireless. The move is part of Australia's Digital Education Revolution initiative and is being implemented through the New South Wales Department of Education and Training. More
  • Zoho Broadens Mobile Device Support

    Collaborative technology developer Zoho has released Zoho Mobile, an expanded version of the company's online application suite for mobile devices. Previously mobile support extended only to Apple's iPhone; now Blackberry, Google Android, and other mobile devices are also supported through a single common interface. More
  • 'Win a Wireless Lab Sweepstakes' Entry Period Closes Friday

    The 2009 Win a Wireless Lab Sweepstakes from Discovery Education and CDW Government (CDW-G) will close this week. CDW-G said response to this year's contest has tripled last year's, with 645,000 entries received, according to the company. More
  • Mathematics Site Offers Online Remediation Program for At-Risk Students

    Not all students learn at the same pace, and this is certainly true in mathematics courses. In an effort to give struggling middle and high school students a real opportunity to get the most from their math education, Hotmath.com has launched Catchup Math, an online diagnostic and review service aimed at helping math students understand troubling concepts and attack their exercises with a comprehension and vigor equal to that of their classmates. More
  • Renaissance Launches Online Testing Platform

    In an effort to solve what it calls the two biggest problems with benchmark assessments on standardized tests, Renaissance Learning has introduced Star Standards testing platform. The package includes the Star Reading, Star Math, and Star Early Literacy adaptive tests, all currently in use, with additional items to test common core and state-specific standards. More
  • Publishers Partner To Integrate Digital Math with Textbook Curriculum

    Textbook publisher Kendall Hunt has joined forces with online education publisher Learning.com to offer Aha!Math for Kendall Hunt, an online program designed to integrate digital learning content with KHP's existing elementary school math curricula. More
  • USC Taking Graduate Degree in Teaching Online

    The University of Southern California's Rossier School of Education is launching a master's of arts in teaching degree that will be delivered online. The new program begins in June of 2009. More

EduHound.com

Featured

  • stylized illustration of a desktop, laptop, tablet, and smartphone all displaying an orange AI icon

    Survey: AI Shifting from Cloud to PCs

    A recent Intel-commissioned report identifies a significant shift in AI adoption, moving away from the cloud and closer to the user. Businesses are increasingly turning to the specialized hardware of AI PCs, the survey found, recognizing their potential not just for productivity gains, but for revolutionizing IT efficiency, fortifying data security, and delivering a compelling return on investment by bringing AI capabilities directly to the edge.

  • handshake between two individuals with AI icons (brain, chip, network, robot) in the background

    Microsoft, Amazon Announce New Commitments in Support of Presidential AI Challenge

    At the Sept. 4 meeting of the White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education, Microsoft and Amazon announced new commitments to expanding AI education and skills training.

  • digital learning resources including a document, video tutorial, quiz checklist, pie chart, and AI cloud icon

    Quizizz Rebrands as Wayground, Announces New AI Features

    Learning platform Quizizz has become Wayground, in a rebranding meant to reflect "the platform's evolution from a quiz tool into a more versatile supplemental learning platform that's supported by AI," according to a news announcement.

  • abstract pattern of cybersecurity, ai and cloud imagery

    Report Identifies Malicious Use of AI in Cloud-Based Cyber Threats

    A recent report from OpenAI identifies the misuse of artificial intelligence in cybercrime, social engineering, and influence operations, particularly those targeting or operating through cloud infrastructure. In "Disrupting Malicious Uses of AI: June 2025," the company outlines how threat actors are weaponizing large language models for malicious ends — and how OpenAI is pushing back.