Education IT News For VARs — May 12, 2014
By Amy Taylor, contributing writer
In the news, the Big Data and Privacy Working Group makes recommendations to the president, including protecting students from inappropriately shared data. Also, articles list technologies schools can’t afford to ignore and how technology can enhance special-needs classes.
Findings of the Big Data and Privacy Working Group Review
Former White House Chief of Staff John Podesta shared the findings of the Big Data and Privacy Working Group in a post for the White House Blog. At the request of President Barack Obama, Podesta leads a group tasked with exploring how technologies impact the economy, government, and society. One of six recommendations the group makes to the president involves data collected in schools. Podesta writes, “Big Data and other technological innovations, including new online course platforms that provide students real time feedback, promise to transform education by personalizing learning. At the same time, the federal government must ensure educational data linked to individual students gathered in school is used for educational purposes, and protect students against their data being shared or used inappropriately.”
Make Sure Your Education Clients Are Aware Of Beneficial Technology
AVNetwork provides a list of “5 Issues Schools Can’t Afford to Ignore.” The article asserts that schools are ignoring these trends — to their detriment. Consider talking about the benefits of these technologies and solutions with your education clients: integrated IP systems, 802.11AC wireless data infrastructure, BYOD (bring your own device) and program management, Chromebooks as a notebook option, and projector bulbs replaced with LEDs for energy savings.
Millions Allocated For Technology, Programs In Utah Schools
Utah Public Radio reports that the STEM program has received $6 million from the Department of Workforce Services and the Utah State Office of Education. The money will go toward in-school and after-school programs for technology, science, engineering and math education in public K-12 schools.
Technology Enhances Classrooms For Special-Needs Students
Solutions for special needs classrooms can provide a number of benefits, according to NorthJersey.com. The students are part of the transition skills program, which train students seeking a career-bound path in place of college. Other students in the program build on the “structured learning experience,” which offers students supervised work experiences, such as updating bar codes in the Wayne Public Library.
Education IT Talking Points
Funding technology in schools is a common debate. Winston-Salem Journal reports “Schools ask for help with technology upgrade” to address the growing cost of technology updates. NJ.com found “Robbinsville mayor at odds with school officials over security funds.”
For more news and insights, visit BSMinfo’s Education IT Resource Center.