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NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS are the science equivalent of Common Core. They are supposed to be released this coming Winter/Spring. Possibly a good opportunity for TIE and other HGSE master's students to get on top of the ed tech game!

This game encourages students to use Minecraft to build their own cities and engage in critical thinking about urban planning. The partnership with the UN will mean that students' engagement in the project will have real world application and consequences as urban planners consider their ideas and plans. Quote: "The first pilot project is already in the planning phase: Kibera, one of Nairobi's slums, is already being translated into Minecraft by builder group FyreUK"

Recommendation 1: Complete the Shift from Print-Centric Textbook Adoption Practices to Digital Resources within Five Years Recommendation 2: Develop a Vision and Roadmap for Completing the Shift 2a: Eliminate Unnecessary Regulations and Enact Supportive Policies 2b: Invest in Infrastructure and Devices to Support the Shift 2c: Ensure Effective Implementation of Digital Policies. Recommendation 3: Ensure a Vibrant Marketplace for Digital and Open Content

BiNu makes feature phones a little smarter.

I'm so excited to see biNu on here, Jenny! I wrote a case study about their technology for a class last year and was blown away how their model of cloud computing could essentially turn "dumb" feature phones into smart phones - and for a fraction of the cost. They've changed their marketing approach and business model substantially since I wrote the case study last fall, but I still see a lot of potential for this type of tech to reach hitherto-unconnected people in the developing world who were still using phones and 2G networks. So interesting, thanks for posting!

Here's an example of one person who excelled in a MOOC. While everyone may not have the drive of this student, this is a good example of how an online technology facilitated a social learning group. Also - yet another example of how online resources can benefit people across the country who do not otherwise have access.

A friend just sent me this same article, Molly! However, my takeaway was much different. Whenever I read articles about young people doing extraordinary things with limited resources and technology, my first thought is always "how is this possible??" The article addresses my question directly: "The answer has to do with Battushig's extraordinary abilities, of course, but also with the ambitions of his high-school principal." The principal, also a graduate of MIT, was focused on developing more skilled engineers in Mongolia, and made it his mission to bring science and tech labs to his students; while MOOCs, the government's heavy investment in IT infrastructure, and the ubiquity of a 3G network made it possible to extend and enhance learning opportunities, the students may have never been exposed to engineering were it not for the encouragement of the principal. This human component, combined with technology, was what nurtured Battushig's drive and talent. This path will not work for just any student. If most homes in Mongolia have an Internet connection and even nomads cell phones, why have more people not found success with MOOCs? The author of the article summed it up best when she said, "Battushig's success also showed that schools could use MOOCs to find exceptional students all over the globe." Battushig is exceptional, just as elevated learning through MOOCs is still the "exception" and not the rule. MOOCs still lack a certain (perhaps human?) element that can move them from producing the anomaly of one "boy genius" to a more widespread level of learning.

Hi Laura - That's a good point about the principal. The principal and the student were both exceptional. While I do not think that MOOCs, as they are right now, can work for everyone, I do think that this example of educating an exceptional student is heartening. Maybe this exceptional student can learn a lot and then in turn, help others in his community. As undemocratic as it is, many advances in society are made by individuals or small groups of people. Overall though, I agree that MOOCs lack, as you said maybe a human element, to promote widespread education.

Following on the mention of the new Common Core assessments - PARCC and Smarter/Balanced - here's an article for educators about the current state of development.

Quality education for children in families earning less than $2/day is a huge challenge in developing countries. If tech can help...definitely transformative.

Thought the list provided is interesting in terms of how they relate to 21st century learning: The new school models in the article "suggests 10 elements most common to all of the models: * Student-centered environments * Personalized learning * Competency-based progressions * Adaptive & engaging components * Deeper learning & character development * Rapid & flexible deployments * Dynamic models evolving with new tools * Platform-centric scaling * Leveraging teacher Leadership * Best Practices & Innovation "

Interesting article about the cost components (not just device pricetags) of using digital textbooks. The article considers Africa, but the framework can apply anywhere.

Interesting perspectives on the future of education. The top article highlights a few fast developments around the notion of the evolving classroom: where is K-12 technology headed?

From the Orlando Sentinel, 1985: Although they have not solved how to keep students interested in certain subjects, computers are proving to be highly acceptable motivational tools in all grades at Seminole County schools. Unlike video games that provide only entertainment, computers in the classroom are used as a teaching resource to reinforce development skills for elementary and middle school students and for those with learning deficiencies....

Founded in 1943, ASCD (formerly the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development) is an educational leadership organization dedicated to advancing best practices and policies for the success of each learner. ''Mobile devices are cheaper, more portable and less obtrusive than other technologies. Yet the challenges of how training students to use sophisticated technology tools is an economic imperative.''

Members of Educational Testing Service's (ETS) Research & Development (R&D) division led the assessment research behind GlassLab's new educational game SimCity™EDU: Pollution Challenge! This new game brings elements of computer gaming to the world of education - providing assessment and learning in an environment that is engaging and exciting. ETS researchers are collaborating with GlassLab on several more educational games.

a school with a curriculum based on videogames

While I applaud the concept of their program, I believe it tips the scale too far in the direction of technology. Unless the students plan to solely work in a digital world the removal of a physical classroom and interaction will greatly affect their social development. For example, physics lab was partially about the smell of the chemicals, the viewing of the wave pools, the teamwork and the mistakes that were real life.

The unholy marrage of violent gaming and hightened advert recall...Clearly there are educational implications to be considered here.

Hi T561- a bit old, but an international perspective on the inequality of technology access across the globe. This article links in with the TIE list discussions about the One Laptop Per Child effort as well. If we want to use technology to break down international barriers, like Dede's "Microsoft of the future" film, we have to address the issue of accessibility, both across the globe and within our own student population.

"Is Google Making Us Stupid" going into three anthologies