HGSET561

The idea of "showing what you know" and earning badges instead of degrees? In this economic downswing, could something like this become the new emergent way of learning and of assessing? Thoughts?

Sounds like the digital badge is more lke a digital portfolio- which I would more likely support. I find it interesting that our education system (which strives and struggles to provide consistent, high quality education from coast to coast) is seen as deficient but this badge proposal will be the answer? It's like the flood of support for home-schooling after a home-schooler wins a national competition but no one knows about the tens of homescholers I had to remediate in rural NH. Standardization is the key for any system to be integrated into another system. The variety of education models we have in our country makes it difficult for employers to integrate employees. If this digital badge concept relies on a variety of models, they will have the same problem.

The prospect of digital badges to show what you know is both exciting with its potential affordances and worrisome with some of its limitations and ambiguity. It'd be great if the ideal came to pass that digital badges would allow valid demonstration of super-specific skills and knowledge over a greater range of fields and topics than what having a B.A. or B.S. currently does. Digital badges could represent the most particular concepts or skills at a granular level even-- those that are essential in the real-world (whether that be desired by employers or otherwise). If the task or test or challenge, or whatever else would be the means of assessment for earning a badge, was carefully designed and evaluated to be a truly valid measure of proficiency, then earning a badge for something would be a clear indication that you know something. But like Allison said, standardization would be key. What would these assessments/ badge challenges be- so that they would be truly valid indicators of proficiency? Who would be the purveyors or authorities to determine the assessments or challenges to accomplish a badge? Given the medium (completing badge assessments on one's own computer or mobile device - from any site they're at potentially) - what's to stop a user from going "open book" or "opening another tab" in order to look up answers to questions or tutorials on how to do a task, in order to complete the assessment? Doing this would allow a user to ace the assessment and earn the badge- but would defeat any value of the badge in truly demonstrating knowledge or skill. By imagining if digital badges did reach mass-acceptance and use in the real world, and we were to ultimately find them all over the internet like we're now finding social media widgets, it made me realize that the "prove proficiency anywhere I am in any way I want" won't work. I changed fields and career paths from what I studied in college, so I definitely appreciate the value in being able to truly show e

A ton of iPad related info in one place

Is this site promotional for Apple?

Allison, The Curator of the site, Dave Brown is described as "President of Interactive Elementary, a leading developer of educational apps for the iPad. Also an Ontario teacher".

This article mentions the US's investment of IT in primary and secondary schools: 1.6% of total spending.

Nice article. Technology in every facet of life - cars, homes, and public places, statiums, etc. It underscores focus on user interface, integration, and simplicity. We are getting more data than we can comsume. We know so much about daily lives of our friends, it has become, as the other puts it, "A New Reality Show."

Excellent article on Video game model as a learning tool. Useful takeaways for motivation.

A recent study looking at Facebook use and student grades found some evidence that students who share links and participate in "lurking" had higher grades while students who posted status updates had a higher likelihood of lower grades. 

Kate, Intesting post. Does this take into account of personality or social desirability bias? Sharing links and chatting may not be considered same type of activity.Since it relies on self reporting, there is also margin for error.

More than 1500 The Massachusetts teachers and educators gather for 2011 Technology Conference on Wednesday, Oct. 26 and Thursday, Oct. 27, at Gillette. As the author states, "MassCUE and M.A.S.S. are recognized nationally for their efforts to help pre-K through post-secondary educators best use and enhance learning through technology."

I'll email you! :-)

Isabel Chris Stephen and I are at MassCUE 2011 right now in a q&a with keynote speaker Yong Zhao. And next in a session with Justin Reich.

Cuban asks an important question that cuts through the apparent controversy: what level of technology use is best for children in school? I think his response also highlights how to frame technology as a tool and enhancement rather than a replacement for hands-on learning

As schools bring more technology into their classrooms and teachers strive to put more technology in their students' hands, what is the best way to ensure this technology is used effectively?

Here is a list of finalists and winners in a number of different categories from product or service to presentation solutions. This is only the list, but searching on their name will give more information. Pearson's Online Learning Exchange (born from my Science Business Unit) was a finalist for new product or service. Enjoy!

This article discusses some tech careers and locations of these opportunities. "The results are clear. Mobile computing, cloud computing, social business, and business analytics have gone beyond niche status and are now part of any modern organization's core IT focus," said IBM's Jim Corgel, general manager of ISV and Developer Relations. "IT professionals who can develop the skills needed to work across these technologies will be ready to meet growing business demand in the coming years."

Despite the wealth of information available on the Internet, a recent study suggests that many students lack basic research skills. According to the latest Project Information Literacy Progress Report, 84 percent of students say that when it comes to course-based research, getting started is their biggest challenge.

An conversation with Tom Vander Ark, author of "Getting Smart: How DIgital Learning is Changing the World". " It confirms what we discussed in class - technology is an amplifier, "technology amplifies parenting: good parents manage it and make the most of it, but less well supported students sit in front of screens in unsupervised and unproductive activities for far too long. "

The public school district in St. Louis, Missouri was awarded an Innovative Technology Education Fund grant to buy iPads for all students with autism in six autism-specific classrooms. This seems to be an example of utilizing an emerging technology in an excellent way with proper teacher training, rather than using technology for technology's sake. The schools will be advised on how to implement the iPads by an autism science and advocacy organization and have two full days of professional development planned.

This is great news on the autism-rights front! I know a severely autistic 21-year-old who is highly communicative because of the technology he has used since he was young.

a new online resource by NBC and Blackboard.com : nbclearn.com is a online video library highlighting educational technologies.

Heavy hitters (one entirely outside education; one an industry vendor) making a big time play to steer the ship. Is this what it takes?

It will be interesting to see how they cull the information, experts and stories they produce . . .

The New York Times takes on Khan Academy

I am getting a bit tired of the 'either/or' scenarios painted by some. Thankfully, some teachers like Ms.Tavenner seem to realize that they can use technology in a useful way to teach effectively. "Ms. Tavenner says she believes that computers cannot replace teachers. But the computer, she recognizes, can do some things a teacher cannot. It can offer personal feedback to a whole room of students as they work. And it can give the teacher additional class time to do more creative and customized teaching."

Excellent rundown of the relevant trends in educational technology and some strategies that schools can take to adopt these trends

"The notion of literacy has radically changed in the face of technologies that allow for different forms of expressions and levels of interaction, which is why teachers must adapt"