October 20, 2010
Digital Directions, Vol. 04, Issue Fall 2010
College & Workforce Readiness
Demand Still Growing for Online Credit-Recovery Classes
As Boston, Chicago, and New York City look to online credit-recovery programs, some say state “seat-time” rules need re-examining.
Classroom Technology
E-Learning Industry on the Rise
For-profit online course providers are expanding in the K-12 market, but experts urge schools to critically evaluate the benefits the companies tout.
Curriculum
Challenges Seen in Moving to Multimedia Textbooks
Most districts have the technology to support the basic digital textbooks of today, but not the interactive, multimedia-rich ones of the future.
School Climate & Safety
Chicago Students Push District to Loosen Cellphone Rules
Students on a community council that aims to encourage teens to be more involved in civic affairs suggested the technology reform to the district superintendent.
IT Infrastructure
Schools Open Doors to Students' Mobile Devices
Schools are showing growing interest in using student-owned cellphones and netbooks to build 1-to-1 computing programs.
Classroom Technology
Schools Combine Netbooks, Open Source
The marriage of netbooks and open source has given schools the power to create and expand 1-to-1 computing.
Special Education
Schools Test E-Reader Devices With Dyslexic Students
But the jury is still out on the impact those digital tools are having on helping students with reading disabilities.
Curriculum
Web 2.0 Fuels Content Filtering Debate
In the shifting world of the connected classroom, some suggest a seismic showdown is brewing over the value of Internet filtering.
English-Language Learners
Ga. Students Learning Chinese Via TV
Teleconference technology is letting teachers reach more than one school in a class period.
School & District Management
School Principals' Practices on Social-Networking Sites
A recent report shows how involved principals are in social-networking sites vs. teachers and librarians.
IT Infrastructure
Texas Turns iTunes Into a Teaching Tool
Gov. Rick Perry recently announced the creation of a Texas Education iTunes U channel, which will focus on providing K-12 teaching and learning materials.
Classroom Technology
Netbooks vs. Mobile Internet Devices
As schools investigate the most cost-effective approaches for establishing 1-to-1 computing programs, one step experts say they should take is weighing the benefits and drawbacks of netbooks vs. mobile Internet devices.
Classroom Technology
Analysis Notes Virtual Ed. Priorities in RTT Winners
The International Association for K-12 Online Learning outlines the 19 finalists' plans to use online learning to achieve Race to the Top goals.
Curriculum
Schools Fall Behind in Offering Computer Science
One survey indicates a sizable drop in the availability of even introductory computer-science courses in public and private secondary schools since 2005.
Education Funding
FCC Approves E-Rate Changes
Schools will have the opportunity to vie for funds to support initiatives that allow students to use mobile technologies in school and at home.
Ed-Tech Policy
New Attitudes Signal Shift in Ed-Tech Perspective
Digital Directions Executive Editor Kevin Bushweller says you know the ed-tech landscape is shifting when federal policy finally adjusts to advances in technology.
Classroom Technology
Educators Explore How to Use GPS for Teaching
GPS technologies can be used to show students how to solve real-world problems in science and other areas.