EdTech 10: Reflections

In order to go forward, first you have to go backward and reflect on where you’ve been and what you learned from your journey.
For example, we’ve had several great podcasts recently with EdLeaders such as Ginny Edwards, who reflects on what she has witnessed in the past thirty years as the editor of EdWeek; or Mike Feinberg, who reflects on hard-won lessons learned for opening great #NewSchools. We also heard reflections from students, parents and educators at BIE’s PBL World on how PBL has changed their lives.
It’s past experiences like these that inspire the innovations that keep education moving in the right direction for the future, as the ten stories in this week’s list show.

Blended Schools & Tools

1. Blended Learning Database

The Blended Learning Universe @blu_ is expanding…inviting all districts to join the BLU https://t.co/mRzK2aw7bU pic.twitter.com/OGfLwQwwsz

— ChristensenInstitute (@ChristensenInst) August 9, 2016

We recently noted 6 Common Misconceptions About Blended Learning.

Digital Developments

2. Digital Lessons To Go

New @blendspace App for the iPad available now!  Download TES teach to blend lessons and curate digital content in minutes! #lblri #fuseri
— Jessie Butash (@jessiebutash) August 8, 2016

3. Streamlined Class Rosters

#IMSGlobal @LearningImpact announces first wave of certified #OneRoster suppliers and products! https://t.co/lWqYUSd0Ls … @SunGardK12

— IMS Global Learning (@LearningImpact) August 3, 2016

Dollars & Deals

4. $144M to Improve College Readiness

.@usedgov Awards $144M in TRIO Talent Search Grants to Improve #College Readiness https://t.co/NZNBqNoeDB #CCR #highered
— Carri Schneider (@CarriSchneider) August 3, 2016

Readiness is good as we recently shared in the blog College Degrees More Important Than Ever.
5. $50M for Kaltura

Video platform @Kaltura raised $50m from @GoldmanSachs  https://t.co/s2F17TcP1M #EdTech #EduVC

— Tom Vander Ark (@tvanderark) August 9, 2016

6. Student Support System Viridis raises $3.2M

With $3.2M Series A, @Viridis Aims to Connect Community College Students & Employers https://t.co/ulAzhVeeqN #highered #comm_college #edtech
— EdSurge HigherEd (@HigherEdSurge) August 9, 2016

For more on learner relationship management, see our post on Fidelis.

Stem Gems

7. STEM VR For Special Needs Students

#Iowa Vocational #Rehabilitation Services Implements #Virtual Reality https://t.co/8fwt84BgGx via @virtualstrategy pic.twitter.com/Oy3Y0LAFiV

— zSpace (@zSpace) August 5, 2016

Higher, Deeper, Further, Faster Learning

8. 35 New OER Courses

@itslearning, @Gooru enhance LMS platform with open content via @Feedly #edtech  https://t.co/H1k2029KZp
— Angela Burgess (@MmeBurgess) June 23, 2016

And check out the new free sims and interactives on CK-12. #GoOpen!

Policy Pieces

9. New Student-Centered Learning Blog Series

New blog series: iNACOL #state #policy frameworks highlight opportunities for states to transform to #SCL https://t.co/Rhq1gnjd4W #edpolicy

— iNACOL (@nacol) August 3, 2016

Movers, Shakers & Groundbreakers

10. 100+ Join Summit PS Basecamp

100+ more schools join @SummitPS Basecamp https://t.co/FQ7EM5uEwP
Background https://t.co/p2l9kdldif
— Tom Vander Ark (@tvanderark) August 9, 2016

Here are 10 things we love about Summit (including Basecamp) and reports on #SchoolVisits to Basecamps sites in Washington DC and Denver. 
For more, see:

• 3 Factors to Consider on Your Back-to-School EdTech Hunt
• How Your Next Freshman Class Will Expect Personalized Learning
• Successful Content Curation Strategies in Higher Education

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.