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 The EdGate Observer Connecting Publishers With What Works! |
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Greetings everyone,
In this month's newsletter, we focus on the most recent education news pertaining to Pokémon Go: Educational or a fad? (Hot Topic); The Continued Adoption of the NGSS (Client Solution); Bringing the World Into Classrooms (Teaching Trends);What's New at EdGate (EdGate Services); and following up with new additions to the EdGate Standards Repository (Standards Update).
As always, EdGate is your source for staying current with new developments in education and the impact of educational standards.
Regards,
Gina Faulk
EdGate General Manager
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Pokémon Go: Educational or a Fad?
 An article in Education Week debates the value of Pokemon Go, the mobile App game that has been sweeping the nation since it's release on July 6th, 2016. Some may argue that the benefits are huge because the game cannot be played by sitting on the couch or in front of a computer. The players must be outside (meeting health and PE standards?) searching their community for clues, much like scavenger hunts in the olden days (that is, before July 6th, 2016). Some educators may also find value in the game because it integrates social studies, local history, math, mapping, and literacy. Others say the privacy concerns outweigh the educational value. There are over 21 million mobile users daily (and counting) and many of them are students. Apps like Pokemon Go present a huge opportunity for educators. Whether you see the educational value in the game or not, it looks pretty fun, but be sure to watch out for the little Avatars as they cross the street.
Project Manager
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NGSS urges shift from 'learning about' to 'figuring out'
The Next Generation Science Standards, adopted by 16 states so far,
makes students think more like scientists - applying skills and knowledge to problem-solve, rather than the more traditional memorization approach. It is an undertaking by teachers and content providers alike to create that blend of providing information without spoon-feeding, thus forcing the student to 'connect the dots'. There is a fine balance in the works; teachers must be patient and students must be persistent! The latter is a big challenge in this day and age of instant electronic gratification.
The goal is "Students who grow up in classrooms organized by the Next Generation Science Standards see a natural phenomenon that sparks their curiosity and then are guided along a path of inquiry, engaging in the activities real scientists do to make sense of it." The bottom line for the individual learner is that what they are learning has to make sense in their world and has to somehow have purpose, rather than just using memorization for some assessment.
The NGSS' goal is to help students create a more coherent, logical view of the world based on evidence and the role science plays. It is far more than content knowledge; it is developing a new skill-set of putting it all together to solve real world challenges of today and tomorrow - the
application of knowledge.
The State of Illinois adopted NGSS in January 2014, and mandated them to be fully implemented in the 2016-2017 school year. The Chicago Public School teachers have been preparing for the more demanding Next Generation Science Standards by collaborating and partnering with the local educational community. Andy Howard, at Illinois Institute of Technology, says "With NGSS, teachers need to learn how to take a Design-Based Research (DBR) approach to teaching each science unit; we are providing them with the content expertise to do just that."
Idaho, however, has stalled in their commitment to the NGSS approach after receiving a surprise rejection from Idaho lawmakers earlier this year. Idaho State officials now say new K-12 science standards, which would include for the first time in Idaho, references to global warming and the Big Bang theory, will be further reviewed and won't be re-submitted to the Idaho Legislature until 2018.
EdGate will be watching how the NGSS plays out across the US and even internationally, so stay tuned!
Project Manager
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A Global Perspective: Bringing the World Into Classrooms
A topic that has garnered importance recently, especially in light of today's interconnected world, is the idea of global competence in students. A recent article in
Education Week
delves into the necessity for students to develop knowledge and skills in global competence. This starts with an understanding of how issues of global concern are often not just local issues, but they can often impact societies around the world. Just think about the impact of deadly viruses like Zika and Ebola; the flow of migrants from war-torn regions in the world; and on a positive note: the Olympic competitors from around the globe. The importance of understanding cultural perspectives and diversity helps students learn to communicate better with others and also encourages students to want to make a difference in the world around them.
Educators are encouraged to
integrate global perspectives
and an appreciation and understanding of cultural diversity in their classrooms to facilitate a global mindset. If students are expected to be able to compete and participate as global citizens, their knowledge must start in today's classrooms.
. By supplying students with content that encourages and emphasizes global competence, educators help to foster a more peaceful and interconnected world.
By: Jennifer Larson
Project Manager
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EdGate: Now Integrating via LTI
EdGate has recently incorporated Learning Tools Interoperability® (LTI®) for easy and direct integration with our Curriculum Matrix and resource partners.
LTI is a specification developed by
IMS Global Learning Consortium
that was designed to help exchange data between systems. It is a standard way of integrating learning applications such as Curriculum Matrix with various platforms such as LMS, portals, and other educational environments.
LTI allows for seamless connection of web-based, externally hosted applications and content to platforms that present them to users. In other words, Curriculum Matrix can be securely connected to an educational platform without having to develop and maintain custom integrations for each platform.
For more information on LTI and other EdGate services, please contact one of our Account Executives at (866) 405-3357 or
contact us
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We're here to help with any of your educational needs!
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Denise Maria
Account Manager
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Gina Faulk
General Manager
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Tracy Olstad,
Account Manager
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Updates to
The EdGate Standards Repository include:
- Arkansas - Mathematics (2016 9-12 Courses)
- Arkansas - Science (2015 K-8 Grades - implementation 2016-2017)
- Arkansas - World Languages (ASL 2014)
- California - Mathematics (2013 9-12 Courses)
- College Board AP European History - Social Studies (2015)
- Florida - Media/Technology (Computer Science 2016)
- Iowa Core - Science (NGSS 2015)
- Louisiana - Language Arts (2016)
- Mississippi - World Languages (2016)
- Oregon - Science (NGSS 2014)
- South Carolina - World Languages (ASL 2016)
- Texas TEKS - World Languages (2014 - implementation 2016-2017)
Kristie McCarley
Standards and Operations Manager
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EdGate Correlation Services works with over 200 content providers to increase the value of their products in a rapidly expanding digital world. EdGate uses its patented technology and highly skilled staff to assure client success. Employing its nearly two decades of innovation experience, EdGate has proven learning platforms, robust metadata tools and comprehensive correlation services to serve every clients unique needs.
EdGate currently focuses on correlation consulting, content and metadata development and management, media segmentation and licensing of international educational standards. EdGate Correlation Services LLC is a division of EDmin, Inc., a learning management and instructional technology solutions company based in San Diego, California.
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