Learners are not just short users. So, software designed from a User-Centered Design perspective is not always appropriate for those short users! This week’s blog, then, outlines a Learner-Centered Design approach to educational software development that should better meet the unique needs of learners.
- By Cathie Norris, Elliot Soloway
- 07/25/16
A transition, quietly but most assuredly, has occurred: Today, in 2016, discussions under the heading "mobile learning" are becoming more about how "all-the-time, everywhere learning" can be supported with "mobile" technology than about mobile devices and apps. That transition has huge pedagogical implications!
- By Cathie Norris, Elliot Soloway
- 07/05/16
As part of our work for the Common Sense District Privacy Evaluation Initiative, we spend a lot of time reading through the text of privacy policies and terms of service of educational software. However, we are also looking at the mechanics of how these policies are articulated and delivered. Over time, as we evaluate more policies, we will be looking for possible patterns or correlations between technical and stylistic details, and the contents of policies.
- By Bill Fitzgerald
- 06/23/16
OER – open education resources are a boon to K-12. But OER is a start, not an end. As K-12 moves to fully 1-to-1 and blended learning, K-12 needs to go beyond digitized versions of paper-based lessons (and proprietary formats) and develop an open standard for the "deeply digital lesson."
- By Cathie Norris, Elliot Soloway
- 06/20/16
We've assumed that focusing on STEM skills, like robotics or coding, are important, but the reality is that STEM skills are enhanced and more relevant when combined with traditional, hands-on creative activities.
- By Mike McGalliard, Anne Wintroub
- 06/16/16
David Thornburg, our guest blogger, looks back and looks forward – and sees Chromebook’s DNA in the history of computing and forecasts all sorts of provocative software that this "new" platform will engender.
- By David D Thornburg
- 06/06/16
There are some that use technology to support construction-oriented pedagogies — maker movement, project-based learning — and some that use technology to support instruction-oriented pedagogies — personalized learning. Instruction may well be less costly to deliver — but the loss of the opportunity to develop our children’s creativity is inestimable.
- By Cathie Norris, Elliot Soloway
- 05/16/16
While the e-learning shift in education holds the promise to accelerate student success, school system leaders are faced with increased responsibility. Chief among those challenges: managing student data and security — and doing so with limited time and resources.
- By Keith R. Krueger
- 05/12/16
Giving students and early start on computer science education with a focus on security is crucial. And high school is already too late, argues Project Lead the Way’s Vince Bertram.
- By Vince M. Bertram, Ed.D.
- 05/12/16
The evidence drought is over! A recent methodologically rigorous meta-analysis shows that in 1-to-1 classrooms, there is an increase in student achievement. Yay! Here’s the justification for all those 1-to-1 Chromebook roll-outs!
- By Cathie Norris, Elliot Soloway
- 05/09/16