Information Technology

Information, news and features for the education sector IT professionals


Blackboard Introduces Web Accessibility Checker

Blackboard today introduced Blackboard Ally for Web, a solution for assessing and improving the accessibility of institutions' websites. The tool expands on Blackboard's Ally product (launched last year), which focuses on the accessibility of course materials in learning management systems.

New Bento Browser Organizes Complex Mobile Searches

A new mobile browser developed at Carnegie Mellon University offers a better search experience for people doing complex searches across multiple websites. The app offers the promise of replacing the overwhelming tab management required by iPhone's default Safari browser. The Bento browser, as it's called, compartmentalizes search sessions into a project workspace structure.

Student Data Privacy: Building Trust Through Collaboration

A community of trust encourages a healthy conversation between school systems and community members that moves from fear-based to fact-based about the school practices and educational progress of students. 

Panopto Adds NewTek NDI Support

Panopto has added support for the NewTek NDI standard to its lecture capture system. This allows Panopto's software to be used in conjunction with NDI-enabled devices, including IP-based cameras.

IoT Security Spending to Hit $1.5 Billion This Year

Spending on security for the internet of things will reach $1.5 billion, up 28 percent over 2017's $1.2 billion, according to a new forecast from market research firm Gartner. Professional services will account for the bulk of the spending throughout the forecast, at $946 million this year and growing to $2.07 billion by the end of the forecast in 2021.

IoT Has Arrived (Just Not in the Way You Expected)

Forget about sensors everywhere. The Internet of Things is really about networked devices making our lives easier.

New Jersey REN Adds Amazon Web Services

A research and education network in New Jersey has signed a deal with Amazon to offer that company's web services to its members at reduced prices. Institutions, schools and districts that are members of N.J. Edge will be able to connect directly through the state's fiber connections run by N.J. Edge or create new ones through AWS Direct Connect, putting them, "one hop away" from Amazon's web services, according to N.J. Edge C.E.O. and President Samuel Conn.

Print Management Software Updated to Cover Fab Lab Gear

A new version of software intended to help organizations manage all of their printers now connects with specialty services as well, including 3D printers and CNC machines that may be located in maker or fabrication labs. PaperCut MF version 18 includes a new job ticketing capability that enables printing service operators at schools and colleges to accept specialty and 3D printing job submissions, such as laser cutting and prototype creation. The program enables the operator to track those jobs through the production process while also communicating work status to the requester.

Report: Four in 10 Top Websites Are Dangerous

Four in 10 of the top websites pose dangers to their visitors. According to cybersecurity vendor Menlo Security, out of the top 100,000 websites as ranked by Alexa, 42 percent are "risky." A risky website is any site where either the homepage or an associated background site is running vulnerable software; the site is known to distribute malware or launch attacks; or the site has already suffered a security breach in the past 12 months.

Cost to Connect Rural America: $19 Billion or Less

The report comes on the heels of a Trump administration infrastructure plan that includes $50 billion set aside for rural projects, distributed to states in the form of block grants, and another $20 billion for unspecified "transformative projects"; both reference the possibility of increasing broadband facilities alongside road, bridge, rail, port and water initiatives.

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