Group items tagged

Google is releasing its own version of an online course builder. Open Source.

edtech platforms should truly empower teachers to teach effectively, control their content, and engage their students. The platform does this by making all content created within, regardless of type, property of whoever creates it.

More on MOOCs: "One one side, there are those who portray traditional higher education models as enjoying too much immunity from market forces and public demands for greater academic efficiency and productivity; on the other side are faculty groups and others who are struggling against a narrative of disruption that sees higher education as a business while discounting the issues of academic quality, freedom and governance."

Edufire is an open platform that connects students and teachers from around the world and enables teachers to tutor over the internet. Initiatives like this one, support Bill Gates' view that in 5 years the best education will come from the Web. (Reference this article: http://techcrunch.com/2010/08/06/bill-gates-education/)

Google is going after Microsoft with their new open source operating system designed originally for netbook users - so no software has to be installed.  It is all browser based and stores docs on Google servers - great for computer crashes - security???

Blog about Big Data, White House Education Datapalooza happening today...

Key concerns about the sudden rush to dump textbooks for open source content

This transition will happen relatively quickly given the current cost of textbooks and the low cost of tablets. Fortunately, I think we will find that the digital textbooks and other features on the tablets will be far more engaging and effective teaching tools than the traditional textbook. The ability of the digital text to read aloud (in several languages) and provide visual support including high def color diagrams, animation, and video, as well as create intuitive links to vocabulary and 'checking for understanding' will be a great support to students and teachers.

"Legacy costs, ideas and infrastructure have set the table for creative disruption, with technology now offering alternative ways to acquire skills, knowledge, and accolades." This not only talks about transformation among teachers lives (and consequently those of the children thru what the empowered teachers provide) but makes you feel that the way in which teachers are evaluated are taking a whole new stage. More open, more emphasis on its impact and connected. 

Not sure what the virtual world adds to this

This article looks at one case study in El Salvador where MOOCs have cracked open the door for university reform. Universities in emerging markets operate on really low budgets compared to U.S. universities, and MOOCs give them access to current content, especially important for high-tech subjects.

Before he publishes the actual 2012 review, is reflecting on what he wrote one year ago. (the ten things he highlighted last year was the ipad, social media, text-messaging, data, the digital library, khan academy, STEM, higher education bubble, "open", the business of ed-tech) Personally interested in programming literacy part that is expected to be mentioned. Also like the questions presented at the end. 

An infographic of common elements of a digital classroom: including eBooks, Book rental via Kindle, iPads, Open Source software, iTunesU, Digital cameras, projectors, and headphones.

Tapping into the Internet and using several iPads as video cameras, Sandel, the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor of Government, connected his Harvard students in Sanders Theatre on Friday with students in Japan, China, Brazil, and India for a wide-ranging discussion that explored the complicated question of the ethics of solidarity and the dilemmas associated with patriotism, membership, and collective responsibility.

"The unveiling of Samsung's GALAXY Note 10.1-with its advanced S-Pen and multitasking capabilities-signals a new generation of tablets that open even greater opportunities for empowering teachers and engaging students in the K-12 classroom." THE Journal