EdTech 10: 2015 News Stories Worth Remembering in 2016
Well, well, well… It’s that time of year again to look back on the progress made and say “that’s right!”
With 2016 just around the corner, this edition of EdTech 10 is all about looking back at the 10 biggest stories that crossed our desktops in 2015. But before we do that, here are six blogs that look back at 2015 in a mini #YearInReview series:
- The year of the mobile (finally)
- Google for the Win: The Ascendence of Chromebooks & Google Apps
- 8 Ways Crowdsourcing Advances Learning
- 8 Ways Machine Learning Is Improving Education
- End of Standards-Based Reform, Rise of Maker
- 1,500+ smart people doing innovative work
End of an era. In October, U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced his intent to step down. With Arne leaving office, his service will go down in history as one the most active for the Feds in U.S. education. Consider this news the beginning of the end of standards-based reform.
Duncan is serious, smart, authentic, and focused–traits that made him a good #EdLeader http://t.co/Urw69gd5kW @Getting_Smart
— Tom Vander Ark (@tvanderark) October 3, 2015
Signed into law. For education policy this was a HUGE year. President Obama signed into law the bill that reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) replaces No Child Left Behind and holds significant implications for the field of K-12 education.
RT if you agree: Every child, regardless of race, income, or zip code, deserves a shot at a great education. #ESSA https://t.co/vicVvASRNd — The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 10, 2015
EdVestments. U.S. EdTech investment hit a record $1.9 billion, up from $1.4 billion last year. International EdTech venture investments added another $1 billion to the global total. The highlight reel:
- Professional learning: Lynda ($186M), General Assembly ($70M), Udemy ($65M)
- Platforms: Duolingo ($40M), Udacity ($105M)
- School/program management: AltSchool ($100M), Hotchalk ($230M)
Silicon Valley Turns Its Eye to Education, #edtech investment nearly $1.87 billion http://t.co/Oc3r7HDK8w #edtech10
— Carri Schneider (@CarriSchneider) January 12, 2015
Going public. Alongside investments in EdTech, two big news stories emerged when it came to IPOs. Instructure, creators of Canvas, debuted on with a double-digit gain while McGraw-Hill Education readied for its IPO.
.@Instructure Goes public, CEO Sees “Huge Renaissance” In #EdTech https://t.co/JJAb9MWaLP #eduVC — Tom Vander Ark (@tvanderark) November 14, 2015
Secondary version 3.0. The Regional Next-Gen School Design blog series and culminating Getting Smart on Regional Next-Gen School Design shared the stories of NGLC’s Regional Funds for Breakthrough Schools. XQ Super School applications opened this fall, and 2015 also saw the launch of NewSchools Catapult.
On The Blog | Why XQ Super School Applications Should Include #OpportunityYouth and #Personalization https://t.co/5eYcG2xZhp @Scott_Emerick
— Getting Smart (@Getting_Smart) November 2, 2015
Listify. In 2015 we witnessed the work of over 1,500 leaders, organizations and companies who made a positive impact for learners. After two months of publishing about 20 ‘Best of’ lists, the Smart Lists series was the most widely viewed and shared series on GettingSmart.com.
1,500+ smart people doing innovative work including @educause @CollforAmerica & @AchieveInc https://t.co/kPippxV0MK via @Getting_Smart — tyler (@post_west) December 29, 2015
Now boarding. This year was big for the education conference circuit. The big four were ISTE (Wade), ASU+GSV (Chalmers), iNACOL Symposium (Lebron), and SXSWedu (Bosh). Here are 23 can’t miss education conferences to add to your calendar for next year.
80 #EdLeaders @asugsvsummit http://t.co/EHxCi1NXPz @nathangebhard @RoadtripNation http://t.co/kUgn01if5a
— Tom Vander Ark (@tvanderark) April 10, 2015
Generation Do-It-Yourself. The close of 2015 brought the re-release of GenDIY. In partnership with The J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation and eduInnovation, the GenDIY blog series on The Huffington Post and GettingSmart.com is cataloging their stories and generating a field guide for the new learning landscape.
Live your passion, choose your path https://t.co/syzs9inq3a #BuckTheQuo #GenDIY #Millenials @Jkaf_Foundation — Getting Smart (@Getting_Smart) December 21, 2015
Smart Parents. Just in time for back to school, Smart Parent: Parenting for Powerful Learning hit the shelves. The book features 60+ inspiring parent stories and and advice for parents on navigating educational options in the digital era.
#SmartParents create, choose, advocate for powerful, student-centered learning experiences https://t.co/sqlD2H4ENX pic.twitter.com/0U6asuDgH5 — Tom Vander Ark (@tvanderark) December 20, 2015
Too much testing. The testing backlash that began in 2014 continued into and throughout 2015 with even Obama calling for limits. With the testing frustration news, the real news that the world is waiting for is better use of formative data. Good schools already know how their students are doing, and the news on testing this year echoed the fact that they don’t need a big test to tell them what they already know.
Breaking News: The Obama administration declares the push for testing in schools has gone too far https://t.co/wSJ8WFxVn2
— The New York Times (@nytimes) October 24, 2015
For more EdTech 10’s, check out:
- EdTech 10: A Come Up From the Nation’s Capital
- EdTech 10: What You’re Missing During the Hour of Code
- EdTech 10: Change is the Only Constant
Stay in-the-know with all things EdTech and innovations in learning by signing up to receive the weekly Smart Update. This post includes mentions of a Getting Smart partner. For a full list of partners, affiliate organizations and all other disclosures please see our Partner page.
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