Why K12 professional development is best offered in an LMS

If we want teachers to embrace new tech it only makes sense to support them with training that aligns learning outcomes to learning paths.

Sept. 23, 2019

Common Sense teacher survey confirms homework gap persists

The report says the issue is due in part to teachers refraining from assigning online homework to minority and lower-income students who have no computer or internet access at home. 

By Naaz Modan • Sept. 20, 2019

Explore the Trendline➔

STEM

From AI to quantum physics, STEM learning opportunities in K-12 are expanding to keep pace with related fields.

By K-12 Dive staff

Salesforce provides $18.2M in grants to bolster math, computer science education

The cloud-based software company is among household names like Google and the National 4-H Council that have created grants to improve education, particularly in the STEM fields.

By Riia O'Donnell • Sept. 18, 2019

Khan Academy offering new line of resources to districts

Anecdotal evidence suggests positive gains, though experts say more research is needed.

By Natalie Gross • Sept. 18, 2019

Apps that connect teachers and parents can help overcome language barriers

Teachers are using new apps to improve parent-teacher communication and, in some cases, bridge disconnects with ELL students.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Sept. 17, 2019

Curricular Counsel: How a rural, low-income district uses partnerships to 'find a way'

Greene County Schools CAO Frank Creech says a mindset of 'I don't know how to do this, but I'll find a way' is key to expanding learning opportunities with limited resources in the North Carolina district.

By Roger Riddell • Sept. 11, 2019

High school hacker's story a lesson on student data security

School districts and ed tech vendors are notoriously easy targets for cyber attacks, experts say.

By Natalie Gross • Sept. 11, 2019

Should the FCC expand E-rate coverage to include cybersecurity?

Data shows risks are increasing as more school and district information goes digital, but funding for protection is lacking.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Sept. 6, 2019

Hackers target smaller, less protected schools as school year begins

Training students, faculty and staff to recognize and avoid phishing emails remains critical to cybersecurity, as experts say the end user is the most vulnerable link in a network's defenses.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Aug. 29, 2019

Summit Learning expansion stutters amid big ambitions

Though a 2016 grant report set a goal for the platform's expansion at roughly 50,000 schools by 2025, only about 400 are partnering to use the program this year — roughly the same as last year.

By Amelia Harper • Aug. 28, 2019

District ed tech audits avoid waste, boost impact

Experts say a closer look helps ensure funds are being used wisely while providing a better understanding of needs and use cases.

By Natalie Gross • Aug. 26, 2019

Strong communication key when implementing ed tech

Experts suggest teacher, student and parent buy-in starts with inclusion in the decision-making process. 

By Shawna De La Rosa • Aug. 15, 2019

Studies indicate students retain more reading printed text

Digital textbooks save money and natural resources, but experts suggest they may necessitate new approaches to teaching reading skills compared to print.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Aug. 14, 2019

'Paperless First Day' attendance recording boosts efficiency

A switch to paper-free attendance recording in Texas' Lamar Consolidated Independent School District is saving time and improving accountability, according to its digital learning director.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Aug. 5, 2019

FCC to consider allowing families without WiFi to apply for E-Rate

In response to a Government Accountability Office recommendation, the FCC is collecting data and exploring a possible solution to close the homework gap.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Aug. 2, 2019

Change management strategies can make or break ed tech initiatives

A former school administrator suggests timing and training are crucial factors in cultivating a culture where educators are inspired to try new resources.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Aug. 1, 2019

Bring physical computing to students with these 3 Raspberry Pi ideas

The simple, low-cost computers lower the barrier to entry for hands-on activities teaching students how computers operate, ed tech experts say.

By Lauren Barack • July 24, 2019

District's tech-savvy summer conference preps teachers for back to school

The iNNovate Conference in Virginia's Newport News Public Schools began with a focus on integrating ed tech into the classroom, but has since evolved to include sessions on student learning experiences.

By Shawna De La Rosa • July 24, 2019

NPC 2019: 7 best practices principals picked up from social media

Professional learning networks can provide lessons on improving everything from student voice and parent involvement to encouraging students to read.

By Roger Riddell • July 19, 2019

Making the professional development-student safety connection

A district tech director details five ways to use professional development to improve success rates when implementing student safety platforms.

By Dallas Hicks • July 18, 2019

Civil rights advocates call on Florida to halt student database

The breadth of information to be collected for a school gun violence prevention database, as well as access and security, are being called into question.

By Shawna De La Rosa • July 12, 2019

E-rate remains critical to school broadband connectivity

Funds For Learning's ninth annual survey of E-rate applicants finds 70% reporting the program's competitive bidding rules are lowering internet service prices, though home connectivity for students remains a challenge.

By Roger Riddell • July 11, 2019

Report: Multiple approaches to media literacy limit efforts to measure outcomes

Some experts, however, note that the wide variety of perspectives on teaching students to develop "healthy skepticism" is a strength in the field. 

By Linda Jacobson • July 11, 2019

What can administrators do to bridge the homework gap?

Amid the rise of 1:1 device programs, nearly 18% of U.S. students don’t have home internet access, and 17% lack access to home computers.

By Shawna De La Rosa • July 8, 2019

ISTE 2019: 3 ways educators can improve advocacy for district needs

Creating a plan, getting a seat at the table and sharing success stories are key.

By Naaz Modan • July 8, 2019