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Thoughtful reflection by 8th grade teacher... enjoys experimenting with technology, but stresses the importance of questioning the pedagogical value of integrating tech in classrooms

Hi Leslie, Thanks for sharing. The article not only talks about the effectiveness of social media tools but a range ot technology which I found useful.

How a teacher started to use iPads as a supplement to instruction (thinking "these devices would help me to create a magical, collaborative learning environment that met all my students' individual needs"), but realized that to really revolutionize teaching and learning, she needed a "technology-based redefinition of [her] practice."

Venture capitalists are taking an unprecedented interest in the K-12 education marketplace, largely due to an increased interest in education technology.

Interesting study on rewards and motivation: Some excerpts - Rewards worked much better if they were given to students before the test, not after. Researchers found students worked significantly harder to keep what they had than they did to win something new. But none of the incentives worked at any age if students knew they wouldn't get the reward for a month. "All motivating power of the incentives vanishes when rewards are handed out with a delay," the researchers concluded. "Especially among children, the difference between right now and tomorrow is a big difference," Ms. Sadoff said. "For all students it's important that the reward be immediate." That impatience creates a massive problem for incentive programs based on state test results, which can often take months to turn around.

Thanks for this Kasthuri! This gives additional strength to the immediacy of digital rewards and students having access to their own "stats" (both potentially available in games and simulations). The thought of actual green-back monetary rewards for study/learning gives me the heebie-jeebies. I appreciated Alexandra M. Usher's comment, that "it's really important to reward inputs, not outputs [and] to reward behavior that kids can control, rather than just telling them to get better grades."

FYI: Rebroadcast of webinar with Carol Dweck for $49.00.

An example of how teachers are using iPads to streamline data collection and analysis

Got ideas?!

Digital tools are helping students with learning and sensory disabilities gain academic confidence and motivation.

An excellent account of fostering engagement in students.

"The program ... pairs up teams of five high school-age girls with female technology entrepreneurs as mentors. In addition, the program brings in guest lecturers throughout the 10-week program to talk with the girls about opening their own businesses in the technology field". I love the idea of grooming high school girls in technology entrepreneurship.

"Initiatives seek to give students permanent online records for developing specific skills"

A quick overview of digital badges (including pros/cons re intrinsic/extrinsic motivation) and introduction of "Badge Economy" ["With support from the MacArthur Foundation, Mozilla has developed an Open Badge Infrastructure, or OBI, designed to become the underlying technical scaffolding for badges," where user can collect badges earned in a digital backpack.]

Personalized learning through tech is described as "Creating a customized playlist for learning." A NYC middle school serves as experiment in engaging students one on one.

Good article about individualized, online tutoring using digital devices.

Good article and a series of links from main page about pros and cons of latest e-learning and student engagement efforts in failing districts.

teaching academic content with games

Evidence on whether games help children learn science

WolfQuest, WhyPox are highlighted as tools for informal science learning.