Challenges were especially high for low-income and Latinx students, who cited lack of ready access to the internet and computing devices more than other groups of students. Also, female students and those who identify in a way other than male or female reported struggling more with mental health and well-being (57 percent and 70 percent, in order) more than male students (38 percent).
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 08/10/20
The American Federation of School Administrators recently issued a new guide for reopening schools safely. Developed by a group of school leaders from around the country, the report suggests that districts are in an untenable position.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 08/10/20
Zoom Video Communications announced a new dedicated device for home videoconferencing. But at least one analyst suspects the price may keep buyers at by. In mid-July Zoom announced it would be taking pre-orders for Zoom for Home, a dedicated appliance for allowing employees to meet and collaborate online. Currently, the device is available for pre-order.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 07/28/20
The American Academy of Pediatrics joined with three education organizations to weigh in on the conversation regarding the return to school. Their perspective: Yes, children learn best when they're in the classroom; but only when it's safe to do so.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 07/24/20
A Department of Defense STEM outreach office in New Jersey is providing a free esports summer league for students in that state, to promote summer STEM learning. Kids in grades three through nine can join an esports summer league for free. The league is being run by DimensionU, a company that develops esports programs for education.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 07/20/20
Google has gone public with some of its plans for updates to Meet, the web conferencing tool that's part of the company's G Suite for Education. The basic thrust is to give teachers more control over their real-time sessions and help them make the classes more engaging.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 07/20/20
A team of Johns Hopkins University researchers has launched the "eSchool+ Initiative," an analysis of school reopening plans.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 07/15/20
A grant from Qualcomm Technologies, a San Diego-area company, will enable the San Diego Unified School District to deploy 900 new personal computers to students. What's unique is that the units have built-in cellular connectivity. The company has also committed to a one-time $141,000 donation to cover the cellular connectivity costs for the devices.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 07/08/20
Nearly the entire American education system had to move online with "little to no preparation." Nobody was fully prepared, not the educators, the parents or the students. That was the description given to what happened when schools closed their doors and turned on their Zoom accounts, according to Future of School, a "public charity" focused on giving students access to quality education.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 07/08/20
A librarian at Montgomery County Public Schools has introduced book delivery services via drone, to keep kids reading during the summer. Librarian Kelly Passek, a Blacksburg Middle School librarian, pitched district leaders on the idea as a response to school closures related to COVID-19.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 07/08/20