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Insight on process of how schools are rewriting the acceptable use policies, and which schools are participating.

Did some digging into the Quest for Learning school that was mentioned in the Connected Learning reading. They're about average on test scores in 2012 (found here: http://projects.nytimes.com/new-york-schools-test-scores/counties/new-york/districts/new-york-city-district-2/schools/quest-to-learn), which could be cited to support arguments on both side the 'gaming v traditional learning' coin with regards to standardized tests. It will certainly be interesting to see how their graduates fair over the next decade or so.

Well spotted, Ms. Laura. Schools like this really do take some leap of faith. Even parents/students/administrators/teachers who really believe in the ideals must realize that the students do not exist in a vacuum and that if/when their kids take the SATs, apply to college, etc., they are buying into the system that they are trying to reject/amend earlier in the students life.

This is about healthcare.gov / Obamacare, and the federal government, but it's thought-provoking about educational technology, much of which is purchased by government agencies (i.e., school districts). How can school districts avoid these problems? (I'm a pro-government liberal, let's be clear!)

As I chew through the Visions 2020 readings, I can't help my skepticism...and not due to the seamless integration of emerging ed technology. Alas, PEOPLE and the existing power structure of schools (reform) are not guided by a mission to reinvent, but to move the goal posts on ed standards around so as to insulate and protect the paradigm. Read on...

Giving all students in a school district iPads could have some really positive results. Having all textbooks combined on a tablet has the potential not just to aid in convenience, but can also allow for students to access more up to date texts. I think that there is also a lot to be said for the potential of an iPad to help engage students in the classroom.

While in theory, the "allow for students to access more up to date texts" is a fantastic purpose for putting content on line and not burning it to a CD or printing the pages, it is the text book adoption laws in each state that publishers battle with every cycle, many of which won't allow for updates or changes to the one they purchase for the length of the adoption.

My Wife's friend is a principal in this district. I am still incredulous at the fact that schools can require students to use electronic textbooks without providing laptops or e-readers to each student. But then again, where would the money come from? On a related note, the federal government seems to be sinking an awful lot of money into solar energy, despite the fact that a lot of these companies are folding. Wouldn't education be a better investment?

Stephen, In my opinion, the government is not sinking enough money into renewable energy. I am sure we have 'sunk' much more money into education over the last few decades and continue to do so. I don't think it is an either/ or.

This article highlights how virtual education can transform the learning experience for students with special needs, as well and low and high performing students by allowing them to slow down or speed up according to their needs. As more and more students enroll in online courses, public schools are trying to figure out how incorporate virtual learning into their districts.

Published Online: October 17, 2011 Published in Print: October 19, 2011, as No Longer Optional Two years ago, Tennessee's Putnam County school system adopted an online-learning graduation requirement for its high school students. But district officials realized that not all students had high-speed Internet access at home, or even computers, so they came up with a variety of options to allow students to fulfill the requirement.

Article about a district's efforts to alleviate anxiety and stress on student performance. Interesting when we discussing assessment...

The New York TImes continues their efforts to get an explanation from the Department of Education of NY on their reasons behind the cell phone ban. It seems that the district is not budging on their policy and is so far unwilling to listen to educators vouching for phones as useful learning tools. 

Martinez Unified School District starting the process of "marrying" technoloyg to education. An argument for technology in education, "technology is only technology to those who were born before it."

Cell phones are banned in NYC public schools, but it is the norm for students who attend schools without metal detectors to bring their phones anyway. If caught teachers are confiscating phones for up to a week, or longer, at their discretion. At schools with metal detectors small businesses have popped up around schools, storing students' phones for the school day for a small fee, similar to a coat check system. Instead of harnessing the power of mobile phones that almost every student already has, they are punishing them and/or causing them to pay money to keep them stored for the school day so that they can have them before and after school. I think this is a missed opportunity for the NYC school system not only because they are missing out on mobile learning opportunities with technology the district doesn't have to buy, but they could also be teaching the students responsible and appropriate use of mobile phones in public spaces.

Dallas ISD uses cloud computing to keep track of bullying incidents in the district.

Some quick "look fors" for schools when assessing what type of edtech venture to partner with.

Great post! We definitely need more discussion about how edtech ventures can partner with schools, districts, and CMO's. This post is right to the point- helpful to both the schools and the edtech companies.

Schools describe what is needed to build a strong relationship between startups and schools. 

Halifax County High, VA. Nearly one-fifth of its 407 seniors earned associate degrees by the time they graduated last school year, and 91 percent finished high school with a college transcript. The approximately 1,700-student school has become a leader in dual-enrollment participation in the state for its emphasis on dual-enrollment courses.

"While some federal initiatives, such as The Investing in Innovation Fund (i3), have been aimed at promoting innovation in education, some of the fiscal requirements of two large federal education programs--namely Title I and IDEA Part B--stand in the way. This paper identifies three fiscal requirements of these programs that encourage the status quo, instilling in districts a profound deference for existing staffing and spending patterns."

This tool uses Google maps to link educators for the purposes of collaboration. A clever use of this affordance, and one that those of us in IB Connect (Dock's class) may want to consider.

About what social media can be used for in schools and how districts that block SNS block ability to learn from said sites.