USDLA RECEIVES LEARNING 100! AWARD
The USDLA was recognized as one of the most effective organizations at transforming our nation's learning culture:
http://www.2elearning.com/lead-news/article/learning-100-transforming-the-workplace.html
THE COMICS SECTION
Automated Teaching Machine: A Graphic Introduction to the End of Human Teachers:
http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/17980-automated-teaching-machine-a-graphic-introduction-to-the-end-of-human-teachers
TOWARD AN INTERCONNECTED HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM
A thoughtful proposal:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cathy-sandeen/toward-a-permeable-interc_b_3785703.html
LAPTOP U
A provocative New Yorker article:
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2013/05/20/130520fa_fact_heller
CONNECTED
Obama's proposal:
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2013/may/23/kobler-lead-shift-toward-technology-rich-classroom/
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/06/06/what-connected
http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/connected_fact_sheet.pdf
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/06/14/Growing-Bipartisan-Support-for-ConnectED
http://www.cio.com/article/738336/U.S._Schools_Need_More_STEM_Training_Better_Broadband
TED TALKS
Daphne Koller of Coursera's TED Talk: What we're learning from online education:
http://www.ted.com/talks/daphne_koller_what_we_re_learning_from_online_education.html??utm_medium=social&source=email&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=ios-share
Shimon Schocken's TED Talk: The self-organizing computer course:
http://www.ted.com/talks/shimon_schocken_the_self_organizing_computer_course.html??utm_medium=social&source=email&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=ios-share
PARTNERSHIPS FORMED AND PARTNERSHIPS ENDED
The recently formed partnership between edX and Google means that massive open online courses (MOOCs) are about to get a whole lot more open:
http://www.ecampusnews.com/online-learning/mooc-google-edx-139/?ps=330746-001a000001Ht1NI-003a000001eKYqg
Most nationally ranked universities are partnering with MOOC providers:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/07/11/moocs-top-colleges-and-universities/2509883/
The National Science Foundation funded report --- and some telling criticisms of that report --- on Udacity's partnership with San Jose State:
http://chronicle.com/blogs/wiredcampus/few-surprises-in-nsf-report-on-san-jose-state-u-test-of-udacity-courses/46535?cid=wc&utm_source=wc&utm_medium=en
A one-time MOOC rock star breaks his partnership with Coursera:
http://chronicle.com/article/A-MOOC-Star-Defects-at-Least/141331/?cid=wc&utm_source=wc&utm_medium=en
Duke, Vanderbilt, and the University of Rochester end their partnerships with 2U:
http://gigaom.com/2013/05/17/moocs-arent-the-only-kind-of-online-course-stirring-debate-on-college-campuses/
Does the University of Nebraska-Lincoln want to partner with any MOOC provider?
http://journalstar.com/news/local/education/universities-debate-credit-for-free-online-courses/article_cc7035e4-eb08-54fd-96ec-c8d3096e3145.html
Faculty backlash grows against online partnerships:
http://chronicle.com/article/Faculty-Backlash-Grows-Against/139049/
SARA
The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement benefits from $2.3 million of funding from the Lumina Foundation:
http://chronicle.com/blogs/wiredcampus/regulatory-reciprocity-gets-a-2-3-million-boost-from-foundation/45279?cid=wc&utm_source=wc&utm_medium=en
APPS THAT LET YOU MIX LESSONS LIKE A DJ MIXING SONG TRACKS
Enabling the creativity of teachers and students alike:
http://www.fastcompany.com/3015099/new-school-two-apps-that-let-teachers-remix-lessons-like-djs
E-MENTORING:
For rural teachers, finding a mentor is only a click away:
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2013/08/28/02mentor.h33.html?tkn=SMCCqhmveQVh6APRVNFj54Ig0QYPX253Vgsg&cmp=clp-sb-ascd
ED TECH AND THE NEW K-12 SCHOOL YEAR
One Maryland school district's massive conversion to digital-based instruction:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/montgomery-students-will-find-new-technologies-in-the-classroom/2013/08/25/0f066a32-0c03-11e3-8974-f97ab3b3c677_story.html
Rhode Island's plan for digitizing education:
http://www.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/content/20130818-teaching-goes-high-tech-to-boost-achievement-in-r.i.-schools.ece
How New Jersey teachers learn to use technology in the classroom:
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/teachers-share-learn-new-e-tricks-at-padcamp/article_58f3c98c-ebcd-5a46-8c1a-c31bddfb610a.html
Bring your own technology in Louisiana:
http://theadvocate.com/news/education/6680260-123/schools-getting-smart-in-use
iPads in Indiana...
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2013/sep/03/pencil-paper-and-ipad/
... And in Los Angeles:
http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-lausd-keyboards-20130903,0,6184460.story
... And in Georgia:
http://www.msgr.com/news/local_news/article_b4cffaa6-102b-11e3-b25a-0019bb2963f4.html
... And in Oregon:
http://www.oregonlive.com/forest-grove/index.ssf/2013/08/neil_armstrong_middle_school_i_2.html
Dell in Minnesota:
http://www.twincities.com/education/ci_24028514/st-paul-schools-dell-an-early-favorite-district
Google Chromebook in Wisconsin:
http://www.beloitdailynews.com/news/learning-on-chrome-standard/article_516f49c4-11e5-11e3-85f2-001a4bcf887a.html
Blended learning in Kansas:
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2013/may/23/kobler-lead-shift-toward-technology-rich-classroom/
Apps that help Nebraska parents:
http://www.omaha.com/article/20130903/NEWS/130909708/1685
Tech professionals volunteer in Washington schools:
http://www.bellevuereporter.com/news/221226661.html
Virginia schools to shift to digital exams:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/all-virginia-students-to-use-computers-for-standardized-tests/2013/05/20/e473f924-bd9c-11e2-97d4-a479289a31f9_story.html
ED TECH AND THE NEW YEAR IN HIGHER ED
The University of Florida offers cheaper online degrees:
http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-05-19/news/fl-florida-online-education-20130519_1_uf-online-degree-programs-online-students
Rice University's free digital textbook venture expands:
http://chronicle.com/blogs/wiredcampus/free-digital-textbook-venture-at-rice-u-adds-users-and-titles/45881?cid=wc&utm_source=wc&utm_medium=en
The University of Maryland University College offers MOOCs for credit:
http://www.ecampusnews.com/online-learning/university-of-maryland-university-college-to-offer-moocs-for-credit/?ps=330746-001a000001Ht1NI-003a000001eKYqg
Cal State to offer online classes across campuses to address statewide problem of students shut out of desired courses:
http://chronicle.com/blogs/ticker/cal-state-offers-online-courses-across-campuses-to-ease-a-bottleneck/64289?cid=wc&utm_source=wc&utm_medium=en
ALAS, MORE INVESTIGATIONS
Tiffin University investigated by the Justice Department for student financial aid abuses:
http://chronicle.com/article/Justice-Dept-Opens/141289/?cid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en
Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School CEO investigated for diverting school funds for personal use:
http://m.csmonitor.com/USA/Education/2013/0823/Online-charter-school-CEO-indicted-for-misused-funds.-Do-laws-need-tightening
12 SURE FIRE WAYS TO MAKE PEOPLE HATE YOUR E-LEARNING ...:
Here's what not to do:
http://info.shiftelearning.com/blog/bid/292229/12-Sure-Fire-Ways-to-Make-People-Hate-Your-eLearning
... AND 7 HORRIBLE REASONS TO SIGN UP FOR ONLINE EDUCATION:
Think twice before enrolling in an online college program:
http://distancelearn.about.com/od/distancelearning101/a/7-Horrible-Awful-No-good-Reasons-To-Enroll-In-An-Online-College.htm?r=et
WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY?
If multi-player games are so worthwhile, why have so few schools adopted them?
http://thejournal.com/Articles/2013/09/02/Will-Gaming-Save-Education-or-Just-Waste-Time.aspx?Page=1
If MOOCs are so worthwhile, why have so few K-12 school systems adopted them?
http://thejournal.com/articles/2013/09/02/get-ready-moocs-are-coming-to-k-12.aspx
And why haven't MOOCs been more disruptive of higher education?
http://chronicle.com/article/MOOCs-May-Not-Be-So-Disruptive/140965/?cid=wc&utm_source=wc&utm_medium=en
Why is online learning so hot?
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-hiltzik-20130728,0,2408536.column
Why are tablet computers taking over K-12 education?
http://thejournal.com/articles/2013/08/08/amplifys-joel-klein-talks-tablets-big-data-and-disappearing-textbooks.aspx?admgarea=Features1
M-LEARNING
For the new age learner:
http://www.gc-solutions.net/blog/evolution-of-the-mobile-lms-mlearning-for-the-new-age-learner/
BINOCULARS (HEY, THAT'S A TECHNOLOGY, TOO) ...
Want scientifically literate children? Give them a pair of binoculars and get out of the way:
http://www.wimp.com/scientificallyliterate/
... AND WHILE WE'RE AT IT, SO ARE CALCULATORS
What policy is most appropriate for use of calculators to meet Common Core standards?
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2013/08/21/01calculators_ep.h33.html?tkn=ZXCCGP4UzQhPJSrkngQ6sYSWeYtSvbPhyFQJ&cmp=clp-sb-ascd
CHEATING
Steps being taken to assure the integrity of online exams; note the mention of Florida Virtual School:
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2013/09/11/03online_ep.h33.html?tkn=RPCCqEeEWZKLJymhXN0DwS%2F0rloH%2FKJtLEXH&cmp=clp-sb-ascd
DIGITAL LIBRARIES
An interesting article on how campus libraries are digitizing:
http://www.ecampusnews.com/featured/featured-on-ecampus-news/libraries-future-technology-008/?ps=330746-001a000001Ht1NI-003a000001eKYqg
RECENT STUDIES
When to Talk, When to Chat: Student Interactions in Live Virtual Classrooms (Journal of Interactive Online Learning):
http://www.ncolr.org/issues/jiol/v12/n2/1
Connectivism: 21st Century's New Learning Theory (European Journal of Open, Distance and E-Learning):
http://www.eurodl.org/?p=current&article=579
Teaching Web Evaluation: A Cognitive Development Approach (Communications in Information Literacy):
http://www.comminfolit.org/index.php?journal=cil&page=article&op=view&path%5B%5D=v7i1p39&path%5B%5D=161
Thinking About Accreditation in a Rapidly Changing World (Educause Review Online)
http://www.educause.edu/ero/article/thinking-about-accreditation-rapidly-changing-world
Is K-12 Blended Learning Disruptive? (Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation)
http://www.christenseninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Is-K-12-Blended-Learning-Disruptive.pdf
From Resistance to Acceptance and Use of Technology in Academia (International Council for Open and Distance Education)
http://www.openpraxis.org/index.php/OpenPraxis/article/view/5/pdf
Community of Inquiry Framework: Establishing Community in an Online Course (Journal of Interactive Online Learning)
http://www.ncolr.org/jiol/issues/pdf/12.1.1.pdf
Dissertations at a Distance: Students' Perceptions of Online Mentoring in a Doctoral Program (Journal of Distance Education)
http://www.jofde.ca/index.php/jde/article/view/835/1481
Strategies for Engagement in Online Courses (Journal of Teaching and Learning with Technology)
http://jotlt.indiana.edu/article/view/3294/3588
UPCOMING CONFERENCES
September 19 - Online - Global STEMx Education Conference:
http://stemxcon.com/
September 22-25 - Denver - EdNet 2013 Conference
http://www.schooldata.com/ednetconference.asp
October 7-9 - Chicago - Wireless Ed Tech Conference 2013
http://wirelessedtech.com/Events/Wireless-Ed-Tech-Conference/Home.aspx
October 8 - Washington, DC - Presidents' Forum / USDLA Policy Forum
http://presidentsforum.excelsior.edu/meetings/
October 11-13 - Baltimore - Digital Family Summit
http://www.digitalfamilysummit.com/
October 15-18 - Anaheim - Educause 2013
http://www.educause.edu/annual-conference
October 27-30 - Orlando - iNACOL Blended and Online Learning Symposium
http://www.inacol.org/events/symposium/
November 3-6 - Orlando - Masie Learning 2013
http://www.learning2013.com/
November 20-22 - Orlando - 19th Annual Sloan-C Conference on Online Learning
http://sloanconsortium.org/conference/2013/aln/program?org=477&lvl=100&ite=950&lea=213992&ctr=0&par=1
USDLA
The US Distance Learning Association, and how it can benefit you:
www.usdla.org
USDLA Jobs Board:
http://www.usdla.org/job-board/
