EdTech
Turning the textbook world upside down
Flatworld, a start up company that just raised $8 million, is launching a free line of college textbooks. Like Wireless Generation, which distributes www.FreeReading.net, they make money by selling related services. For the last 15 years, textbook publishers have given away CDs and digital assets to sell textbooks.
Learning outside of the classroom—culture and context will drive spiky use
TeachStreet is one of the latest entrants in informal peer-to-peer learning space. See interview with CEO Dave Shappell on The Deal. There was lots of conversation about P2P learning at the Union Square’s recent Hacking Education conference. Universities see this coming and are tripping over themselves…
In favor of risk
Risk capital made this country great—that and an amazing foundation of founding principles. But we’re getting ready to send risk capital overseas. The uniquely American combination of market capitalism, extraordinary universities, and risk capital—specifically venture capital and growth equity—are the engine behind a century of remarkable…
6 EdTech trends that will affect education
eSchool News reports on the six technologies soon to affect education – One year or less: collaborative environments and online communication tools – Two to three years: mobile devices and cloud computing – Four to five years: smart objects and the personal web…
Learning online tidbits
1. “Students say there should be more use of mobile devices in their learning.” This blinding flash of the obvious is from a recent Speak Up survey. So why is it that nearly all kids in the developed world have mobile devices and we don’t use them…
Tech augmented teacher supply
Here’s the intro to an AEI discussion on teacher supply next week; it’s a good summary of the challenge: Today’s most successful K–12 schools have a voracious appetite for talent. Indeed, successful charter school networks—like KIPP and Achievement First—are perhaps most notable for their ability to create a “no excuses”…
Maine goes 7-12 laptop program
Maine is expanding it’s 1:1 computing progam from 7th to 12th grade in the fall, as reported in eSchool News. Former Gov. Angus King provided the initial vision and political capital to get this started eight years ago. It’s great to see Gov. John Baldacci continue Maine’s leadership role. …
It’s all about relationships
David Brooks column yesterday is particularly thoughtful reflection on Obama’s education speech. In particular, he focused on the importance of relationships: We’ve spent years working on ways to restructure schools, but what matters most is the relationship between one student and one teacher. You ask a…
2nd Gen Content: flat & sequential to engaging & adaptive
We’re at the beginning of the end of the first generation of online learning content. First gen content was mostly flat and sequential—digital textbooks. Second gen content will be far more engaging and adaptive. For more than a decade, computer games have continuously assessed skill and interest and…
Making Good on the Good Schools Promise
Making Good on the Good Schools Promise Only one thing needs to change in failing high schools—everything. In the…