Education IT News For VARs — July 29, 2014
By Amy Taylor, contributing writer
Education continually benefits from technological advancements from school security to maintaining the arts in the classroom. Data fuels the fire as Kansas keeps the school reports private and school administrators and teachers are trained.
Recommendations Presented To Address State School Security In Massachusetts
A Massachusetts state report says all schools should have a crisis response team and a single public entrance, said The Boston Globe. The Massachusetts Task Force made 29 recommendations for school leaders to prevent and respond to security incidents or issues on campus. The report recommends retrofitting schools with safer doors, locks, and security systems; having a school resource officer at middle and high schools; and creating positive campus atmospheres.
Pearson Launches Readiness Assessment
Campus Technology said that education technology company Pearson has developed an assessment tool that allows schools to gauge their institutions’ readiness to adopt competency-based education. Competency-based education allows students to advance based on their ability to prove mastery of a skill or knowledge area in order to improve their workforce prospects.
Art Education Embraces Technology In The Classroom
Tech Page One reports on technology that is pushing art education forward through “cyberarts.” Cyberarts encompass a variety of technological artistic pursuits, including Photoshop, music recording, and editing software, that can also be applied in the working world. Programs like CyberArts and Cyber Mural are promoting both art and computer literacy and how they can enhance the educational experience.
Data Training Implemented For School Administration And Teachers
Bradenton Herald said that the Manatee County school district implemented a two-day data team training session to help school administrators and teachers use and analyze data to make smarter classroom decisions.
Data From Reading And Math Tests Will Not Be Released
Top Tech News reports that Kansas is not releasing report cards on the performance of public school students on standardized reading and math tests after cyberattacks and other problems arose this spring. The state typically releases reports on how students scored overall statewide or how students in each school district or individuals scored to help the public judge how well Kansas’ schools are performing.
Education IT Talking Points
Government Technology reports on “Tackling the Problem of Mining Students’ Personal Data.”
John Thompson wrote a blog for The Huffington Post posing the question, “Why Can’t Big Data Take a Bow, and Then Contribute to the Collaborative Commons?”
For more news and insights, visit BSMinfo’s Education IT Resource Center.