Beginning with the eSchool News.
In this week’s news: Share My Lesson, a new online portal that teachers will be able to access free of charge, is expected to contain more than 100,000 user-generated materials when it launches in August as part of a national initiative called “Connected Educators.”
Also, how laptops and personalized learning are replacing lectures in a growing number of schools; while flipped learning is becoming more popular, some worry that it could end up leaving low-income students behind and widening the achievement gap; new iPhone and iPad apps meld music lessons and video games to make practicing an instrument more fun; and Microsoft has unveiled a new tablet computer that aims to take advantage of one of the few criticisms of Apple’s iPad–that it is better for consuming content than creating it.
What do you think of these stories? Share your thoughts in the comments section, or send them to me via eMail–we’re eager to hear from you.
Regards,
Dennis Pierce, Editor
dpierce@eschoolnews.com
Question of the Week: If you could recommend just one teaching resource to your colleagues, what would it be and why? Please send your response to Online Editor Meris Stansbury at mstansbury@eschoolnews.com. Your response may be chosen to be included in a thought round-up to be published by eSchool News. Please send your response by Friday the 29th.
Top Story of the Week
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New venture connects U.S. teachers online Discussing education reform at Stanford University last year, the leader of one of the nation’s largest teacher unions decided to turn the tables and ask a question of the audience. [ Read More ] |
Also the SmartBrief for EdTech.
More students enroll in online education programs
In California and elsewhere, a growing number of students are taking at least some courses online before college. However, the growth comes as data on the effectiveness of such programs is still being compiled. “When I compare myself to brick-and-mortar-school friends, we had a lot more assignments to turn in,” said recent graduate Angelica Pronto. “You have to prove you’re going to class every day. … But, overall, it prepares us for the same test.” San Jose Mercury News (Calif.) (free registration) (6/23)
Duncan announces plans for “Connected Educator Month”
Education Secretary Arne Duncan is encouraging teachers and other school leaders to collaborate online and innovate in other ways in August, now to be known as “Connected Educator Month.” The initiative will include opportunities to take part in online forums, webinars, and contests. “Every educator needs to be connected with the best digital content, tools, and resources in order to enliven the learning environment for students, and to fully connect with peers and experts,” Duncan said. T.H.E. Journal (6/26)
Making progress toward a 21st-century education
Continuing to define a vision for a “21st-century education” and the skill-set it comprises is the subject of this blog post by teacher Adam Bellow. Important shifts in education are under way, Bellow writes, with a move toward anytime-anywhere learning that utilizes technology as well as the world outside the classroom. “I feel (and hope) that education will continue to become more about questions rather than answers. Passion and inquiry should drive education, because they drive imagination and innovation,” he writes. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Education (6/25)
Online learning platform seeks to engage students who learn on the Web
eCampus News (free registration) (6/25)
Judge considers whether private online charter school should get public funds
The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.)/The Associated Press (6/25)
City seeks to open online academy to compete with cyber schools
Online charter schools have taken students as well as funding from public schools in Pittsburgh. Now, city schools officials have decided to open their own online academy — intended to compete with cyber-charter schools for students. Students in the district who transfer to the online academy will be eligible to receive college scholarships. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (6/28)
And the Education Week EdWeek Update.
TODAY’S TOP STORY
Middle School Girls Want Access to E-Learning
Students who’ve grown up in an increasingly digital world favor a learning experience that gives them more control and flexibility, according to a new survey.
• Digital Education Blog: Coverage from the 2012 ISTE Conference
Back to the regular Google News alert for virtual school.
Districts will have to pay for pupils in virtual school
Cherokee Tribune
WOODSTOCK — As of July 1, a new law in Georgia will allow high school students to earn credits by taking classes online at Georgia Virtual School with no …
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Lawrence High Cancels Summer School
Patch.com
Students can attend classes through a virtual school, Educere, that has programs … Those students interested in the virtual school must apply by June 29.
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Virtual charter school battle starts
Shelby Star
Many of the children who will enroll in the first few years of a virtual school’s existence were already looking for alternatives – whether home education, private …
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State school board fighting to keep virtual charter school from opening
WRAL.com
State school board wants to keep virtual school from opening … The virtual school would receive the same amount of public funding per pupil, even though it …
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Virtual charter school in Cabarrus County presents concrete challenge
News & Observer
A virtual charter school with the potential to siphon millions of dollars from traditional public schools will pit school-choice advocates against the state’s education …
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Virtual charter school hearing this morning
The Progressive Pulse
A Wake judge will hear arguments for and against the virtual charter school this morning, after an administrative law judge gave the virtual school final approval …
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‘Virtual teachers’ enjoy some real-life face time
Peoria Journal Star
Like some 3000 students a year, the virtual school’s 60 teachers are spread throughout … Online, through the virtual school, he teaches a biotechnology class on …
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Has One Georgia County’s ‘Virtual’ Alternative School Failed …
Youth Today
… laptops to its most challenged students and sent them home to learn in a new “virtual” school. As the school administrators prepare to update the school board, …
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Judge begins hearing arguments on virtual charter school
Winston-Salem Journal
To the shock of state officials, Administrative Law Judge Beecher Gray agreed, granting approval for the virtual school on March 18. Representing N.C. Learns …
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Judge’s decision on K12, Inc. virtual charter school coming Friday
The Progressive Pulse
Hearing on N.C. virtual school opening scheduled for Monday · Half of NC school boards now lined up against virtual charter · Hearing today for N.C. virtual …
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Decision on Cabarrus-based virtual charter school expected Friday
Concord Independent Tribune
… Association and 89 local school boards, including Kannapolis City Board of Education, which have spoken out against the virtual school opening this year.
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Troubled Philly-based cyber charter school ordered closed
Philadelphia Inquirer
“There is no indication that Frontier Virtual School could provide an appropriate education to students who may enroll … in the 2012-2013 school year,” Tomalis …
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Editorial: Three Treasure Coast school districts unite for full-time …
TCPalm
Initially, the Indian River County School District had been in discussion with school officials from the other counties to participate in the full-time virtual school, but …
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Superintendent Pons Announces New School Board, Principals
WCTV
Gillian is formerly the principal of Godby High School and Leon County Virtual School. “I am confident that these leaders will continue our tradition of academic excellence,” said Superintendent Pons. Joe Burgess, Chiles High School, formerly principal …
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PLATO Announces Virtual Academy
T.H.E. Journal
The company partners with school districts to provide virtual school solutions to help advance student achievement. The academy is accredited through the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC) as a distance education school. Students who complete …
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City schools establish online learning option
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
The new “virtual” school will serve students in grades 6-12 and will be limited to city residents. It will target students who attend cyber charter schools, officials said. The board also voted to pay Waterfront Learning, a project of the Allegheny …
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Online school can’t open without North Carolina OK: judge
Reuters
The National Education Policy Center said there is no research evidence that full-time virtual school for K-12 students is an adequate replacement for traditional face-to-face learning. The court decision did not set any deadline for reviewing the …
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NC judge to rule in virtual charter school case
Charlotte Observer
The ruling means “local school boards can plan for the school year as they had earlier,” said Eddie Speas, attorney for the N.C. School Boards Association, which joined the state Attorney General’s Office in opposing the virtual school. “They can go …
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Virtual charter decision this afternoon
The Progressive Pulse
Virtual school education, where students learn from their home computers instead of in classrooms, have had mixed results and K12, Inc., the for-profit company contracted to run the North Carolina charter school, has been accused of putting profits …
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Questionable new Fla. laws go into effect Sunday
CanadianBusiness.com
Another new law will let the Florida Virtual School expand part-time offerings to children in kindergarten through third grade and lift a requirement for students to spend at least a year in a regular public school before enrolling in Virtual School …
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Finally, the Google News alert for cyber school.
Cyber schools face tougher standards
The Mercury
Hannah Tuffy, a Pennsylvania Cyber School graduate from Scranton, was recently accepted to the prestigious U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where she …
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Four more cyber charters set to open in Pa.
Philadelphia Inquirer
0 like this / 0 don’t • Posted 11:35 PM, 06/27/2012. I guess the state isn’t paying attention to what is going on with charters, especially cyber charters. In the last week, Philadelphia had to revoke the charter of a cyber school. — PHL Teacher. Sign …
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City schools take on cyber rivals with Pittsburgh Online Academy 6-12
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
“We talked with [cyber school] families preliminarily and told them we were exploring an online academy and a lot of families expressed a lot of interest in the Promise,” said Mr. McClinchie, a former principal at Pittsburgh Weil Pre-K-5. Board …
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Elderton High School Will Close Permanently
The Kittanning Paper
I’m strongly considering cyber school as the choice for the rest of my high school career just so I can get some sort of stability,” Minnich said. “I don’t want to learn a new school or try to make new friends again.” A cyber school meeting at Elderton …
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