CODiE Awards’ Post

Seeing the looks on people's faces when they walk into a school that was designed to be learner-centered is a true joy. This blog I wrote talks about a recent such trip and the power of seeing something radically learner-centered. Check it out: https://lnkd.in/gAE_rbx5

Navigating the New Standards for EdTech Companies 🚀 The bar for entry into the ed-tech market is getting tougher, with districts now demanding higher standards for quality and efficacy. This shift underscores the importance of robust, effective solutions that truly meet educational needs. At eDynamic Learning, we welcome these higher standards and are committed to delivering exceptional, impactful educational experiences. Our programs are designed to exceed expectations and drive meaningful outcomes for students and educators alike. Learn more about the evolving landscape of ed-tech and how we are rising to the challenge: https://lnkd.in/gMF2YiJZ

Check out a recent publication that I co-authored with Jessica Herring-Watson and Amanda Rockinson-Szapkiw in this month’s issue of TechTrends: “Predicting Special Educators' Use of Assistive Technology in Virtual & Hybrid Learning Environments.”

Did you know it's a Leap Year? That's right! There's an extra day in February. At Transcend, we're taking advantage of this little calendar quirk to celebrate our "10 Leaps for Equitable, 21st-Century Learning." (Who doesn't love a good marketing schtick!?) Jokes aside, the 10 Leaps are an incredible framework for thinking about how to change the student experience so that schools can prepare all young people to thrive in and transform the world. Curious? Join us for an introductory webinar or an online course to discover how schools can leap towards extraordinary, equitable learning! https://lnkd.in/gTVAPGtu

🚀 Big News: Labster & OpenStax Partnership! Labster is joining forces with OpenStax, Rice University, a leader in open educational resources. Our mission? To make learning more accessible, engaging, and affordable for every student, everywhere. We’re breaking down barriers to ensure students have access to world-class science education. Together, we’re leveling the educational playing field by significantly reducing costs for both students and educational institutions. Curious about how this partnership will ignite a love for science learning across the globe? Here are the details: https://bit.ly/3U4bVzi

Simulating real-world challenges helps educators build confidence, competence, and resilience in navigating change. 👩🏫🏫 Read more: https://lnkd.in/ehdve4BE #Education #Simulation #Teamwork #EdChat #EdTech #Blog

What will it take to make #learnercentered ecosystems a Public Education Reality? In this Getting Smart Town Hall, you'll hear from different organizations that are working to make learner-centered ecosystems happen and why “transformation at the systems level is urgent, what possibilities these learner-centered ecosystems pose as a path forward, and how R&D efforts are being mobilized for exploration, design, and implementation in communities today and tomorrow:”https://bit.ly/4b38uOG EDreimagined

We’ve worked with hundreds of instructors over the last year, and I can’t help but notice some common themes have emerged when it comes to the challenges of shifting their lab courses online. But there are solutions to those challenges! So if you’re on the fence about shifting your labs online, here is some key information that might help you make the leap. 📕The kind of labs you use play a key role in quality and effectiveness. 👉To replicate the quality and rigor of on-campus labs: •Don’t rely 100% on virtual simulations. •Use a mix of hands-on and virtual labs. •Use QM-certified curriculum. 📕Virtual labs and hands-on labs both have benefits in certain circumstances and should be used together. 👉To incorporate both effectively: •Use virtual simulations to introduce basic concepts, provide students with a low-stakes environment, and as pre-labs for on-campus labs. •Use hands-on labs to build an engaging, interactive online lab experience that helps students apply concepts to the real world. 📕When it comes to cost, it’s important to look at the full picture, especially when you consider the time and cost of on-campus labs for students, instructors and the institution. 👉To keep costs balanced, consider: •Hands-on labs at home mean students don’t have to commute, which saves them from paying for gas, childcare, etc. •Mixing in virtual labs (not every lab has to be hands-on!) or shifting to open source textbooks for your lecture course. 📕Safety doesn’t have to be a deal breaker. Choose a partner whose hands-on lab development and testing process is built around the fact that instructors are not present when students perform experiments. 👉To set the expectation that safety is priority: •Use lab safety lessons and training before students access course content. •Always provide clear and in-depth instructions. •Make sure students have PPE and instructions for handling lab equipment. •Use small quantities of chemicals to enhance safety. This is just a handful of takeaways we’ve learned from our awesome Science Interactive community. If you’re offering labs online, what’s your biggest lesson learned? ⬇️ #stemed #distanceed #onlinelabs

Not all ed-tech products support teachers in providing joyful, responsive instruction, but how can teachers and systems know who is "walking the walk?" I am excited that the organizations noted in this Education Week article are developing resources and standards to evaluate the quality of ed-tech products. Technology can be part of joyful, high-quality, and culturally relevant learning. At Student Achievement Partners, we are developing approaches that will support teachers and leaders in assessing the ed-tech tools they currently use and making informed, evidence-based choices when finding new tools to support classroom instruction. https://lnkd.in/ggJSdbw5

🌟 Let's talk tech integration! What's one creative way you've incorporated a tech tool into your teaching recently, and how has it impacted student engagement or learning outcomes? Share your experiences and inspire others to explore new possibilities! #EdTechInnovation #TeacherTips