In the opening sequence of The Jetsons cartoon, Elroy would fly out of the car in a tiny bubble to get to school. His classroom was a digital learning space with robot teachers and interactive tools similar to the ones developed today. Though we're not quite at the point of bubble spaceships, artificial intelligence apps like Ello and Magic School are leading us in the right … [Read more...] about Artificial Intelligence and the Modern Classroom
Education
Scholastic Releases Latest Kids’ Reading Report
In celebration of International Literacy Day last week, Scholastic has some great news: kids are reading. Despite the naysayers and gloom and doomers who think the entire juvenile world is too busy with their faces buried in digital devices, the self-response survey indicates that as many as 86% of kids up to age 17 think reading is an important key to their future … [Read more...] about Scholastic Releases Latest Kids’ Reading Report
Kobo Launches Book-Centric Social Responsibility Programs
There are a number of great organizations working hard to fight illiteracy, a plague that still affects nearly one out of every five people on the planet, and two-thirds of all women. But there's a disturbing social issue that in some ways is even more heartbreaking: individuals who have the ability to read but still lack the access to a book. Kobo has decided to fight that … [Read more...] about Kobo Launches Book-Centric Social Responsibility Programs
80% of US schools use e-books or digital textbooks
Overdrive has just published a new survey that takes a look at digital penetration in schools in the United States. They take a look at what medium is the most popular and what type of tech devices diligent young scholars are employing to get the most out of their education. Based on a survey of more than 2,000 administrators at the school or district level in the U.S., the … [Read more...] about 80% of US schools use e-books or digital textbooks
Advancing Education: the eBook Revolution
Education is always changing, but the one thing that doesn’t seem to change is the way in which children are presented information. That, however, is changing considerably in the digital age, even if the progress is a bit slow. The innovation we are looking at today is that of Nook reading apps and the impact that they can make in schools. There are two types of learning … [Read more...] about Advancing Education: the eBook Revolution
Canada Gets Google Play for Education, Classroom-Ready Android Tablets
Those of us in Canada have been sitting on the sidelines as Google Play for Education was developed and deployed in the United States in November of 2013, and later in the UK earlier this year; fortunately we don't have any longer to wait. This news is exciting, particularly for those of us with young children. Described as a “'one-stop shop' for engaging, educator-approved … [Read more...] about Canada Gets Google Play for Education, Classroom-Ready Android Tablets
Apple Gives Overhaul to iPads in Education Offering
The first few iterations of any new project are always going to suss out strengths and weaknesses. To this end, Apple has listened to feedback aimed toward their iPads in Education program and is making more than a few changes (at just the right time, when educators are starting to make plans for the next school year beginning in the autumn). Changes to the program are … [Read more...] about Apple Gives Overhaul to iPads in Education Offering
Educators Foresee e-Books to be More Prevalent
School libraries have been early adopters of e-books, but they have yet to transcend in a meaningful way in K-12 classrooms. This might soon change as a new report from 475 educators indicates that schools and districts see their use of classroom materials transitioning substantially from paper books to digital books over the next two years. “With a record 10 million tablets … [Read more...] about Educators Foresee e-Books to be More Prevalent
A Closer Look at Google Classroom
Announced earlier this year, Classroom rounds out the free suite of tools provided within Google Apps for Education. Intended to behave as a sort of portal for Google Docs, Drive, and Gmail, Classroom aims to help teachers "create and organize assignments quickly, provide feedback efficiently, and communicate with their classes with ease." There is little question that … [Read more...] about A Closer Look at Google Classroom
Microsoft Improves OneNote App For Tablets
Microsoft OneNote has been available for Android and iOS tablets for quite some time, but a new update has tailored the app to best suit their larger screens. OneNote now offers handwriting support, allowing you to capture and format the notes you take during school lectures or board meetings. OneNote has evolved to become a very full-featured digital notebook that allows … [Read more...] about Microsoft Improves OneNote App For Tablets
Google Launches Free Online Teaching Tool: Classroom
With the pilot phase completed, Google Classroom is now live for all Google Apps for Education users. Designed to be a free learning management system, Classroom laces together the functionality found within Google Drive, Docs, and Gmail in an effort to help teachers "save time, keep classes organized, and improve communication with students." Behaving as a support system, … [Read more...] about Google Launches Free Online Teaching Tool: Classroom
Udacity Offers Android Development Course
Do you have a fantastic idea for a new Android app, but lack the development skills to bring it to market? Udacity would like to help you turn inspiration into reality with their new course called "Developing Android Apps: Android Fundamentals." Delivered entirely online, this class is aimed at developers who understand the fundamentals of programming (using other languages … [Read more...] about Udacity Offers Android Development Course
Data Conversion Laboratory Webinar Explores eBooks in the K12 Classroom
One of the last groups to adopt ebooks in a widespread and focused way is the K12 education sphere. While digital textbooks have been painfully slow to reach the public school market, ebooks have been an even slower format when it comes to kids and reading. OverDrive has made ebooks even more accessible, though, along with initiatives like Qlovi and Smashwords' OverDrive … [Read more...] about Data Conversion Laboratory Webinar Explores eBooks in the K12 Classroom
Google Gets Girls Into IT With $50M “Made With Code” Investment
As a woman working in the male-dominated IT industry, news that Google has launched a new initiative aimed to get young women excited about become software developers hits rather close to home. While it's true that there are more women entering computer science-related fields every year, it is also the case that they are still the minority. In an effort to change that, Google's … [Read more...] about Google Gets Girls Into IT With $50M “Made With Code” Investment