Ethics in STEM Education: Going Beyond the Classroom

When we discuss STEM education, it's easy to focus on acts of teaching and learning. But if our vision of STEM is only confined to the classroom, we risk ignoring a large portion of what the true essence of STEM education is all about. It is more than just a collection of subjects taught in isolation. In its truest form, STEM is a state of mind: a practice of critical thinking and problem-solving that learners engage in throughout life.

12 Education Predictions for 2020

The learning and innovation in education never stops. Here's what 12 education technology experts and observers expect for the new year in K-12.

Has Coding Education Failed the Kids It Was Supposed to Help Most?

After 10 years of investment, it’s time to re-evaluate and chart a new way forward.

The Importance of STEM in the Classroom

According to a study from LinkedIn, the most in-demand job skills in 2017 included cloud computing, statistical analysis and app development. What do these skills have in common? They all incorporate STEM.

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): How are we going to address our children’s emotional needs?

Our children are hungry — food-wise and emotion-wise. Schools have addressed the former and they are starting to address the latter. In this beginning blog post on SEL — social and emotional learning — we define it, raise a few provocative questions, and then we hear from Dr. Tyralynn Frazier, an SEL expert, who explores “SEL and Equity.” A very good place to start!

Teachers Like Coaching for PD, but Impact Could be Greater

In a national online survey of 1,246 coaches, administrators and teachers, nearly nine in 10 said they found value in coaching as a form of professional development. More than half (52 percent) said it was "highly" or "very" valuable to them. And exactly half reported that coaching had a positive impact on their practice to a "large" or "great" extent.

New Online Certificate Program to Teach Educators How to Use Tech in the Classroom

Beginning this fall, people in education can pursue a certificate in how to use technology in the classroom. The new online "Advanced Education Technology Certificate Program" is being launched by the University of Michigan School of Education, which worked with the university's Center for Academic Innovation to develop the learning experience.

School Uses VR to Introduce Students to New Situations

A British school that works with people who have severe autism is turning to virtual reality to help its students try out new experiences.

2-Year Campaign Aims to Produce High-Quality Flipped Resources

The initiative is being undertaken by the Flipped Learning Global Initiative and Teachers Pay Teachers.

2020 Possibility Grant to Award $10,000 for STEM Education Gear

Discovery Education and Siemens have opened the 2020 Possibility Grant Sweepstakes, which will award $10,000 to one educator that can be used for “a science lab makeover and/or STEM-related equipment, supplies, or technology.”

Digital Promise Expands Microcredential Catalog

Digital Promise has just placed its seal of approval on eight microcredentials developed by other organizations, adding to the catalog of 450-plus microcredentials it already supports.

Districts Find Different Ways to Serve Students Lacking Home Internet

Two districts recently issued devices to students who lacked internet access at home.

Gale to Bring Udemy Online Courses to Libraries

Shortly, a partnership between Gale and Udemy will launch, bringing learning video content from Udemy to public libraries. "Gale Presents: Udemy" will provide library patrons with access to 3,500 on-demand video courses in 75 different topics from Udemy's business collection.

LearnZillion Acquired by Weld

The digital curriculum market has just seen another consolidation. Private equity company Weld North Education purchased LearnZillion in early January, the third such acquisition by Weld over the course of a year.

Project to Examine Viability of 'Lead Teacher' Credential for Early Childhood Educators

Should lead teachers in early childhood education have their own credential? A new feasibility study is underway to research the practicality of that idea.

NASEF Delivers Free LoL Training for Coaches and Students

Both students and coaches on teams that belong to the North America Scholastic Esports Federation can take advantage of free online coaching for League of Legends later this month. NASEF's training is part of its "Scholastic Esports Academies."

Research Finds Supplemental Content for High School ELA Not Worth Using

A recent report from the Thomas Fordham Institute found that lessons acquired through Teachers Pay Teachers and similar sites aren't worth using.

Researchers Developing Tools to Teach CS to English Learners

Researchers at the University of California, Irvine are launching a program to develop computational curriculum that focuses on the needs of English language learners.

Science of Reading (Finally) Becoming Mainstream in Teacher Prep Programs

For the first time, a majority of elementary teacher education programs have adopted the tenets of reading science in their curriculum.

Sony to Roll Out 13,000 Lumen Laser Projector

Sony revealed a range of new AV gear for schools at the ISE 2020 conference taking place in Amsterdam this week. That includes five new laser projectors, with one offering a brightness of 13,000 lumens.

The Character Tree Offers Free Lessons for Black History Month

The Character Tree is offering free subscriptions to its Black History Month video resources through the end of the school year.

VR Content Bundled with Lesson Guides Management Software

SpringboardVR has introduced a VR product bundle with a dozen "tried-and-true" titles, as well as lesson guides for use by teachers and software for managing the devices.

zSpace Adds MEL Science Lessons to AR/VR Learning Platform

zSpace has added MEL Science's chemistry courses to its augmented and virtual education platform, which can run on a laptop or the zSpace AiO Pro.

2020 3M Young Scientist Challenge Opens

Discovery Education and 3M have opened the 2020 Young Scientist Challenge, an annual competition that calls on students in grades 5–8 to create a short video explaining “the science behind an idea aimed at solving a problem that positively impacts them, their school, family or community.”

Britannica Social Studies Lessons to Add Interactivity from Pear Deck

Two education technology companies are working together to add more interactivity to social studies learning. Britannica Digital Learning, the education arm of the company that produces Encyclopedia Britannica, has launched new features using tech from Pear Deck.

Feds Seek For-Profit Applicants for $1.1 Million Ed Tech Grants

The U.S. Department of Education has grant money to issue to for-profit ed tech companies.

Kaltura Buys Newrow

Recently, Kaltura announced that it has purchased Newrow, which provides functionality for developing and managing virtual classrooms, online courses and webinars.

LEGO Education Brings Coding and Robotics to Middle School

LEGO Education has started shipping SPIKE Prime, a hands-on classroom robotics and coding system for middle school.

Robotics Curriculum Gets Sequel

An education technology company that produces a virtual robotics platform to help middle schoolers learn coding and robotics basics has released a sequel to its original set of curricula.

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