Digital Education
The Digital Education blog covered personalized learning, artificial intelligence, adaptive testing, digital curricula, data privacy, future of work, and all things technology. This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: classroom technology, personalized learning, future of work, and digital learning.
Families & the Community
Can Technology Get Kids to Play Outside?
A new startup company aims to use technology to enable, rather than replace, nature-based education for young children.
Assessment
PARCC to Shorten Next Year's Common-Core Test
The PARCC consortium approved a redesigned Common Core test that will be 90 minutes shorter than the current exam, and has agreed to shift the testing window to later in the school year.
Classroom Technology
Banning Cellphones Leads to Higher Test Scores, U.K. Study Finds
U.K. researchers found that banning cellphones effectively added an hour of instructional time per week. Low-achieving and at-risk students saw the largest benefits.
Privacy & Security
FERPA Targeted (Again) in Two U.S. Senate Bills
A modest update and a radical makeover for the country's most significant current federal data-privacy law were proposed in the U.S. Senate this week.
Equity & Diversity
$3.9B E-Rate Bonanza Will Be Awarded to Schools and Libraries, FCC Says
A record $3.9 billion in E-rate funds will be awarded to schools and libraries this year, with no phone-bill increases for consumers.
Classroom Technology
Twitter Chat: How Can Digital Games Boost Learning?
An Education Week Twitter chat explores how digital learning games are being used in the classroom.
Assessment
The Latest Ed-Tech Research: Studies You Need to Know From AERA 2015
Studies presented at the American Educational Research Association on iPads and early literacy, students' online reading skills, Google Docs, and the frontiers of ed-tech use drew big reactions from readers.
Privacy & Security
Common Sense Media Evaluating Privacy Policies of Ed-Tech Products
Common Sense Media is working with over 20 districts to establish a rating system for the privacy policies and security of ed-tech products.
Curriculum
Twitter Chat: New Developments in Digital Learning Games
Greg Toppo of USA Today, Richard Culatta of the U.S. education department, and Michael Levine of the Joan Ganz Cooney Center will talk digital learning games during a Ed Week Twitter chat Thursday evening.
Curriculum
Digital Content Provider EdX Settles With DOJ After Allegations of Inaccessibility
An online learning organization has entered into a settlement agreement after a Department of Justice review concludes that the provider's digital content and website are not accessible for students with disabilities.
Curriculum
'Open Educational Resources' Promoted in U.S. Senate's ESEA Draft
Republican Orrin Hatch and Democrat Tammy Baldwin support the inclusion of an amendment to the ESEA that would encourage the use of "open educational resources."
Curriculum
Many High School Students Bringing Their Own Devices to School, Survey Finds
Nearly 60 percent of high schoolers report using their own mobile devices at schools, compared with just 32 percent who said they're using school-issued laptops, according to a new survey.
Federal
Parents' Guide to Student Data-Privacy Policy Released by Advocacy Group
Future of Privacy Forum released a new guide to help parents better understand current student-data-privacy laws and their rights when it comes to their child's education information.
Curriculum
White House Unveils New ConnectED Effort Focused on Library Access, Content
President Obama announced new ConnectED initiatives to provide $250 million in free e-books to students and meant to give all students in 30 communities a library card.