Assistive Technology in Education


illustration created by DALL-E shows a teacher in front of a blackboard wielding a sword over a futuristic robot

Why Ed Tech is Not Endorsing a Ban on ChatGPT in Schools

Depending on who’s speaking, ChatGPT is projected to either further erode K-12 learning outcomes or it will boost writing instruction and overall learning outcomes when used with appropriate guardrails. Several education technology leaders explained to THE Journal why they fall in the second category and how K-12 education should and can embrace ChatGPT in classrooms.

logo and image reads: ed tech explainer 7 questions Lenovo plus LanSchool

7 Questions with Lenovo + LanSchool: A One-Stop-Shop Approach to School Technology with an Emphasis on Inclusivity in Classrooms

For THE Journal's 7 Questions Ed Tech Explainer series, Lenovo’s Education Software General Manager Coby Gurr shares how Lenovo’s K–12 division and particularly its classroom management software LanSchool emphasize inclusivity, accessibility, and a holistic, integrated approach to school technology — and how Lenovo EDU’s line of hardware, software, and services aim to provide a “comprehensive learning environment.”

Image shows woman with a young student on a laptop alongside Microsoft Reimagine Education Feb 9, 2023

Microsoft Reimagine Education Event Set for Thursday, Feb. 9

Microsoft Education is gearing up to introduce new learning tools and share more details about recently launched tools during a virtual event for educators and education leaders on Thursday, Feb. 9, the company said.

ReadSpeaker Adds Text-to-Speech Offerings to Total 245 Voices and 68 Languages

ReadSpeaker, an integrated text-to-speech (TTS) provider, has announced its audio library now features 245 voices and 68 languages, including some considered threatened and endangered, with new ones continually being developed by on-staff linguists and language experts. The audio library is available to both K–12 and higher education.

Logo for 7 Questions Ed Tech Explainer series featuring Branching Minds CEO Maya Gat

7 Questions About Branching Minds MTSS Platform with CEO Maya Gat

For the 7 Questions Ed Tech Explainer series, Branching Minds CEO Maya Gat explains how its Multi-Tiered System of Supports solution works, how it impacts teachers, administrators, students, and learning outcomes, and how it incorporates a school district's existing data to help teachers equitably and efficiently differentiate instruction and ensure it's helping students catch up.

SXSW EDU Unveils First Half of Lineup for 2023; Emphases Include Diversity, Equity, Student Agency, Teacher Retention

SXSW EDU has unveiled nearly half of the lineup for the 2023 event scheduled for March 6–9, 2023, in Austin, featuring topics considered the most pressing in education, the organization said, after more than 1,200 proposals were whittled down by conference organizers and voting through PanelPicker.

ReadSpeaker

Moodle Gains Text-to-Speech Integration

Students using the Moodle learning platform can now listen to learning content in more than 50 languages, thanks to a new integration with digital voice and text-to-speech tool ReadSpeaker.

New Lessons, Reports, Accessibility Features Added to i-Ready Personalized Instruction and Assessment

Curriculum Associates has updated its i-Ready Personalized Instruction and Assessment program with new reports, lessons, accessibility features, and other enhancements designed to help educators support grade-level work, monitor progress, and drive student engagement and motivation, according to a news release.

Newsela's 'Biggest Update' Yet to Paid Solutions Includes Interactive Video, Knowledge Pages, and Novel Studies

Instructional content platform Newsela has unveiled its “biggest updates” since its 2013 launch, with enhancements on each of the company’s paid solutions, Newsela ELA, Newsela Social Studies, Newsela Science, and Newsela SEL, according to a news release.

Capstone Increases E-Book Accessibility for K–5 Classrooms, Libraries, and at Home

Capstone, a publisher of interactive e-books, has announced enhancements to its platform to make it easier to use for K–5 students who have vision, cognitive, physical, and hearing disabilities, the company announced this week.