T.H.E. SmartClassroom :: October 25, 2007

Focus

Can Game Development Impact Academic Achievement?

Electronic gaming has recently been hailed as the great new potential for transforming education. A growing body of research and practice suggests videogames can motivate as well as teach and help users learn. Fewer scientific studies, but just as much potential, exist within the area of student game development. In part 1 of this two-part article series, we look at the foundational reasons for why game development matters in the K-12 curriculum, both inside and outside of school...

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Ed Tech News

Site Combines Reading Comprehension with Science Education

Earlier this month Pearson launched two new learning tools for K-12: an update to the company's WriteToLearn reading comprehension software and an enhanced version of its Scott Foresman's Science 2008 textbook series, which now integrates Web-based reading comprehension and writing instruction via Pearson's Summary Street....

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Angel Adopts IMS Common Cartridge in LMS

Angel Learning this week announced new support for the IMS Global Learning Consortium's Common Cartridge standard in its learning management system, Angel LMS. The standard, developed through IMS GLC's Common Cartridge Alliance, is an open standard for content sharing. Angel last year contributed intellectual property for its development....

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Wimba Voice 5.2 Expands Audio Collaboration Capabilities

Education technology developer Wimba has released Wimba Voice 5.2, an update to the company's audio module for its Collaboration Suite, which also includes Wimba Classroom, Wimba Create, and Wimba Pronto. The new version expands the tool's functionality and end-user features and enhances some existing features....

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3 Districts Deploy Differentiated Math Tutoring System

Three large school districts in the United States this semester have deployed Apangea Learning's SmartHelp as a part of their math intervention and remediation programs: District of Columbia Public Schools (Washington, DC), Atlanta Public Schools, and Chicago Public Schools....

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Speak Up 2007: Call for Participation Extends to Administrators

Project Tomorrow's annual Speak Up survey opened Oct. 15 with an expanded call for participation, inviting school and district administrators to share their views on technology and science education and how they can be leveraged to "provide students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in the digital economy." The 2007 survey is also open, as usual, to K-12 students, parents, and teachers....

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THE Journal Opportunities

Share Your Best Practices

T.H.E. Journal is currently looking for the following types of articles for future issues and for our eNewsletter, T.H.E. SmartClassroom:

  • School Perspectives - discuss a specific topic, trend, or concern about education technology.
  • Case Studies - have you implemented technology and learned a lot from the experience? If so, share your efforts about what worked -- and what didn't.

If you have a potential article, or questions about the above topics, please e-mail [email protected]

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Featured

  • students using digital devices, surrounded by abstract AI motifs and soft geometric design

    Ed Tech Startup Kira Launches AI-Native Learning Platform

    A new K-12 learning platform aims to bring personalized education to every student. Kira, one of the latest ed tech ventures from Andrew Ng, former director of Stanford's AI Lab and co-founder of Coursera and DeepLearning.AI, "integrates artificial intelligence directly into every educational workflow — from lesson planning and instruction to grading, intervention, and reporting," according to a news announcement.

  • toolbox featuring a circuit-like AI symbol and containing a screwdriver, wrench, and hammer

    Microsoft Launches AI Tools for Educators

    Microsoft has introduced a variety of AI tools aimed at helping educators develop personalized learning experiences for their students, create content more efficiently, and increase student engagement.

  • laptop displaying a red padlock icon sits on a wooden desk with a digital network interface background

    Reports Point to Domain Controllers as Prime Ransomware Targets

    A recent report from Microsoft reinforces warns of the critical role Active Directory (AD) domain controllers play in large-scale ransomware attacks, aligning with U.S. government advisories on the persistent threat of AD compromise.

  • Two hands shaking in the center with subtle technology icons, graphs, binary code, and a padlock in the dark blue background

    Two Areas for K-12 Schools to Assess for When to Work with a Managed Services Provider

    The complexity of today’s IT network infrastructure and increased cybersecurity risk are quickly moving beyond many school districts’ ability to manage on their own. But a new technology model, a partnership with a managed services provider, offers a way forward for schools to overcome these challenges.