There is growing interest from schools in the Maker Movement and Maker Education but with this have come some subtle misunderstandings about what it is all about. For one the modern maker movement is all about the mindset of the maker rather than developing a set of specific skills for making. The second confusion stems from a belief that the maker movement is all about the tools and the makerspace and that as such it involves large budgets.
"When we first purchased our class set of iPads we needed a secure storage and charging solution. Unfortunately the purpose built trolleys were too expensive. At $4.50 each these drying racks were a great alternative while we saved up the money."
Over the last 40 years, America’s inmate population has quadrupled, from 500,000 to 2.3 million, giving the U.S. 5 percent of the world’s population, but 25 percent of its prisoners. The country now spends $70 billion a year — $50 billion of it at the state level — locking up all of these people, many of whom are nonviolent offenders snagged in the war on drugs.
"Over the last 40 years, America's inmate population has quadrupled, from 500,000 to 2.3 million, giving the U.S. 5 percent of the world's population, but 25 percent of its prisoners."
What do teachers want? A new study from PBS Learning Media details (in a highly visual manner) exactly what teachers want these days. From budgets to technology to web tools to increased engagement, it’s all here. The following infographic is definitely worth printing out and posting around your school. If you’re in the middle of determining what teachers, students, and parents want in your district, use this as a jumping off point to start the discussion.
Key Findings
Just 1 in 5 teachers say they have the right amount of technology in their classroom
The biggest hurdle to getting improved technology? Budget.
Teachers want new technology because it provides new learning experiences and a motivation to learn.
Web 2.0 tools are the most-used pieces of technology in the classroom.
"When it comes to deciding how or whether to use iPads, schools typically focus on budget issues, apps, networking logistics, check-in and check-out procedures, school and district tech-use policies, hardware precautions, and aspects of classroom management.
But it's also important to think about instructional use, and to that end, consider the following questions."
University groups previously decried "a time of limited and sometimes shrinking budgets for higher education," and called on the Labor Department to lower the threshold and adjust for regional and sector differences. Institutions have pushed back against the significant financial burden associated with raising salaries to meet the threshold or paying overtime for additional hours worked. Though faculty members are still exempt, the status of postdocs with light teaching loads is still in question, and many support staffers are eligible for the increase.
A large and growing list of free or low cost software and hardware alternatives that music educators can use in their classrooms instead of the high priced commercial stuff.
The cloud and online learning are key trends and opportunities to transform education today. And with today's launch and availability of Office 365 for education, schools now have a holistic collaboration platform that will change the game. As schools face ever-tightening budgets and the pressure to innovate, Microsoft is offering enterprise quality technology for free that will modernize teaching practices and help prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow.
Education Week - 12:37 PM - PublicIn the budget proposal unveiled by President Obama yesterday, he requested $69.8 million in discretionary spending for the U.S. Department of Education in the fiscal year that starts Oct. 1, an increase of $1.7 billion, or 2.5 percent, over the current budget year. Read through the education-related specifics here.
The Common Core Learning Standards focus is to provide these type of texts in ELA, Social Studies and Science.
new approach to learning -- connected learning -- that is anchored in research, robust theories of learning, and the best of traditional standards, but also designed to mine the learning potential of the new social- and digital media domain
Question: Can this be accomplished with the ever decreasing school budget? Will all these agencies work together to better educate our youths without asking for payment? Budgets could potentially be the ultimate hurdle in achieving connected learning.
Can equity actually be achieved when we have privatization of education? I don't believe so as those who can afford private education will also contribute more toward their child's experience which continues to increase the divide.
Research shows that learners who are interested in what they are learning, achieve higher order learning outcomes.
Research shows that among friends and peers, young people fluidly contribute, share, and give feedback to one another, producing powerful learning.
Peer culture and interest-driven activity needs to be connected to academic subjects, institutions, and credentials for diverse young people to realize these opportunities.
The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation receives more than 1,000 applications each year. Although we would like to help all who apply, our resources are limited and the process is very competitive. Music programs serving low-income communities, programs with little or no budget for musical instruments and music programs that serve the most students out of the school population are considered before all others.