Beginning with the Digital Directions from Education Week.
Read the Ed-Tech Blogs
 |
Check out the Digital Education blog for analysis of the technological challenges you face today. |
| Recent Posts:
|
Next, the ASCD SmartBrief.
Free online courses allow teachers to receive training anytime
Coursera has added a “teacher professional development” category to its collection of online and videotaped courses, allowing busy educators to participate according to their own schedule. The courses — in development by Coursera in partnership with seven schools of education, plus educational institutions and museums — will allow K-12 teachers and other individuals worldwide to take courses intended to help them develop understanding of topics, including the Common Core State Standards and blended learning. Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model)/L.A. Now blog (4/30)
Also, the SmartBrief for EdTech.
Should online, traditional schools receive the same funding?
In Ohio and elsewhere, the growth of online schools — in which students learn over the Internet — has drawn criticism from some who say such schools should not be subject to the same funding formulas as traditional schools. Online schools, critics say, do not incur the same costs as traditional schools, such as busing. However, proponents of online education say e-schools have additional costs, such as the those associated with mailing materials and socialization for students. The Review (East Liverpool, Ohio)/The Associated Press (4/28)
Community colleges use blended learning to personalize instruction
The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (4/29)
FCC’s director of digital learning is tasked with expanding broadband in schools
VentureBeat (4/29)
Peer tutoring goes online in Ariz. district
National Honor Society students at the five high schools in an Arizona district are tutoring their peers online through the Free Resources for Online Student Tutoring program. Student tutors can assist their peers from home, while teachers periodically log on. While Jeff Billings, director of information technology for the Paradise Valley Unified School District, does not expect online tutoring to replace in-person sessions, he said it can help increase students’ access to such services. The Arizona Republic (Phoenix) (tiered subscription model) (5/1)
How one district uses blended learning to teach Chinese
An Ohio school district is using a blended-learning approach to bring Chinese-language learning to more students amid a tightening budget. One teacher leads three classes on different campuses at the same time by using video conferencing and online exercises. “They tend to be more on task and respectful — they don’t see me every day, but every time I see them they are eager to work with me,” language teacher Dun Zhang said. District Administration magazine (5/2013)
Principal: OpenCourseWare creates opportunities for personalized learning for students
SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Education (5/2)
Calif. state workers could be required to complete online civics class
A bill being considered in California would require the state Department of Education to develop an online civics class that every public-sector employee would have to complete upon being hired, promoted or reclassified. Labor unions and the California Chamber of Commerce support the bill. The Sacramento Bee (Calif.) (free registration)/The State Worker blog (4/25)
Back to the regular Google News alert for virtual school.
Fla. online school target of cuts from legislators
Ocala
Webster, who championed the creation and expansion of the school when he was a state legislator, said Florida Virtual School has already endured additional cuts in the last few years when Florida was mired in the recession. “Although the cuts currently …
See all stories on this topic »
Portland Public Schools offer Virtual School options
Lansing State Journal
The first day of school next year will look a lot different to some Portland Public School students. There will be no bus ride, no classroom and no first day of school jitters as the new Portland Virtual School (PVS) will be in full swing for the 2013 …
See all stories on this topic »
State should not hold back virtual schools
Saukvalley
School districts get their money in part based on how many students they have attending, so they fear that virtual schools will siphon away students – and dollars – from their districts. But what about the kids? Virtual schools provide an excellent …
See all stories on this topic »
Proposed funding change could cut jobs at Florida Virtual School
Orlando Business Journal (blog)
Erik Fresen has proposed a new funding model for Florida Virtual School (and you can read an Associated Press article on it here. Currently, Florida Virtual School is funded by courses — if a student takes a course and successfully completes it …
See all stories on this topic »
Flaws found at online education provider wooing Maine
Press Herald
Staff Writer. Investigators in Florida have found that online education company K12 Inc., which is seeking to operate a full-time virtual charter school in Maine, has employed teachers to teach subjects for which they lacked the proper certification.
See all stories on this topic »
CUSD 200 asks for families’ help in rejecting virtual charter school proposal
Suburban Life Publications
WHEATON – In a letter to Community Unit School District 200 families, Superintendent Brian Harris has asked for their help in upholding the school board’s decision to reject a proposed online charter school that would serve students in the district.
See all stories on this topic »
Spring ISD Virtual School registration open
Ultimate Spring
by Journatic News Service | April 22, 2013 10:06 am. The Spring Independent School District’s Virtual School is accepting registrations through Saturday, June 1, for its online summer school that begins Thursday, June 6. “The summer course offerings …
See all stories on this topic »
PreK-12 Online Course Market Forecast 2013
Wall Street Journal
They can be used for full-time study in an online virtual school or one or two at a time to supplement traditional K-12 courses. With that understanding as a guide, Simba analyzes how widely online courses are being offered in PreK-12 schools, the …
See all stories on this topic »
Committee issues school security measures
Cherokee Ledger
He also announced the rollout next year of the Cherokee Cyber Connections (C3) Academy, which will expand the existing online curricular offerings for CCSD high school students (Georgia Virtual School, Credit Connect, Georgia Credit Recovery and …
See all stories on this topic »
Illinois Policy Institute’s $16 Million Virtual Charter School Tax Grab
ChicagoNow (blog)
Ted Dabrowski, Vice President of Policy at Illinois Policy Institute, is listed as secretary for Virtual Learning Solutions, the new entity formed to manage the virtual school for K12, Inc., which runs online schools nationally. Eric Kohn, whose wife …
See all stories on this topic »
Fla. Online School Target of Cuts From Legislators
Diverse: Issues in Higher Educatio
“Although the cuts currently being considered for Florida Virtual School may appear insignificant on their own, when coupled with the recent reductions over the past several years, they will reach a magnitude that will have a large impact on the …
See all stories on this topic »
Superintendents urge temporary halt on virtual charter schools
Chicago Tribune
School districts in Aurora, Elgin, Geneva and St. Charles and others also were approached with the virtual school proposal. Sharnell Jackson, president of nonprofit Virtual Learning Solutions, which would oversee the school, has called the online …
See all stories on this topic »
AIM planning visit from acclaimed actor
Leavenworth Times
Art in Motion will present Stogie Kenyatta’s acclaimed traveling one-man show, “The World is My Home ― the Story of Paul Robeson,” at 7 p.m. June 1 and 4 p.m. June 2 at the Leavenworth Virtual School, 1003 Third Ave. in Leavenworth. email · print. By …
See all stories on this topic »
Muskegon joining list of districts offering ‘virtual’ middle and high schools …
Muskegon Chronicle – MLive.com
MUSKEGON, MI – An online “virtual school” program will be operated by a private firm for Muskegon schools, one of the most recent districts to offer the education alternative. Online programs, also known as “seat time waiver” programs, allow students …
See all stories on this topic »
FGCU notebook: 7 sign to play men’s soccer
The News-Press
Of the seven-man class four hail from the state of Florida — midfielder Will Suedois (Florida Virtual School), midfielder Nicolas Russo (Florida Virtual School), forward Derek Gebhard (George Steinbrenner High) and Santiago Ortiz (Montverde Academy).
See all stories on this topic »
Virginia’s first statewide virtual school likely to close
Washington Post
The Carroll County School Board plans to end its partnership with the contractor that operates Virginia’s largest full-time statewide virtual school, effectively shutting down a program that serves more than 350 students. The decision to close what is …
See all stories on this topic »
Florida virtual students get unexpected down time
Tampabay.com (blog)
Florida students taking online courses through Florida Virtual School and its affiliates found themselves without access to their classes over the past couple of days. They won’t be penalized for getting their work done late. The reason? A computer …
See all stories on this topic »
Florida Virtual School® and Toolwire Win USDLA Best Practices in Distance …
DigitalJournal.com (press release)
Florida Virtual School (FLVS®) and Toolwire announced that the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA), the nation’s leading distance learning organization, has named the FLVS Foundations of Web Design course winner of the 2013 Best …
See all stories on this topic »
School Board to review WIVA contract, consider extension
hngnews.com
The increase in students is something the McFarland School Board will consider as it looks at an annual review of performance goals for WIVA, and discusses a possible contract extension with the virtual school. The McFarland School District is …
See all stories on this topic »
Reader’s View, virtual schools: Online education offers viable alternative for …
The Idaho Statesman
A common misperception is that virtual school students sit in front of a computer all day. While the computer is a tool for teachers and parents to manage and track assignments, communicate (along with the phone) and deliver interactive curricular …
See all stories on this topic »
Sullivan defends school-district business company
Kamloops This Week
Sullivan said the Kamloops-Thompson school district was approached by the government when the Virtual School Society running Learn Now B.C. encountered difficulties and wanted to close the online portal. When it was created in 2006, Learn Now BC …
See all stories on this topic »
Florida Virtual School: Proposed budget would hurt our funding
MiamiHerald.com (blog)
Florida Virtual School, the state’s public online school, says it will actually come up about $36 million short due to a proposed change in the state’s education finance formula. FLVS was expecting to see its $200 million budget increased by $45 …
See all stories on this topic »
Florida public online school gets small budget increase
Tampabay.com
TALLAHASSEE — School districts, teachers and parents are celebrating the $1 billion addition to the state’s education budget. But not everyone is happy with their slice of the pie. Florida Virtual School, the state’s public online school, says it will …
See all stories on this topic »
New Lafayette school program would target new students
The Advocate
LAFAYETTE — The Lafayette Parish School System is considering the launch of a virtual school option for students in the fall to recapture students who have left the system for home schooling or virtual charter schools. The district currently offers …
See all stories on this topic »
School district considers offffering ‘virtual school’
Cameron County Endeavor
School district considers offffering ‘virtual school’. If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. That’s the philosophy behind a growing trend by Pennsylvania public school systems to deal with the competition they’re facing from the popular “cyber schools” and …
See all stories on this topic »
Finally, the Google News alert for cyber school.
East Lycoming reviews cyber school tuition
Williamsport Sun-Gazette
HUGHESVILLE – Outreach for behaviorally challenged students and cyber and charter school tuition were topics of discussion at the East Lycoming School Board meeting, held Tuesday evening. Principals Sherry Cowburn, of Ashkar Elementary, and Tommy …
See all stories on this topic »
Agora Cyber Charter School Now Enrolling Students for 2013-2014 Academic …
Sacramento Bee
WAYNE, Pa., April 25, 2013 — /PRNewswire/ — Agora Cyber Charter School (Agora), a state-accredited, public cyber school, has opened enrollment for students in grades K-12 for the 2013–2014 school year. Agora accepts students from across the state of …
See all stories on this topic »
Don’t cut cyber school funding
phillyBurbs.com
There are many misconceptions about how public cyber charter schools work. First, my school is not a homeschool; homeschooling and public charter schools are two different things. In homeschooling, students only work with their parents or guardians, …
See all stories on this topic »
Easton teachers union files complaint over cyber school employees
The Express Times – LehighValleyLive.com
The Easton Area School District teachers union president says the district broke an agreement to hire district teachers to staff its cyber school. A court date is scheduled for 10 a.m. Aug. 8. before the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board in Harrisburg …
See all stories on this topic »
Albert Gallatin school board candidates address AYP, cyber school, education cuts
Uniontown Herald Standard
Candidates for school board director in the Albert Gallatin Area School District are preparing to tackle tough issues in the district, including the district’s failure to make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), cyber charter school costs and education …
See all stories on this topic »
Karen Heller: Karen Heller: In Philly, the fast track to the cyber-school bottom
Philly.com
… are enrolled in “schools” administered by private, for-profit operators that seized on a great opportunity to make nice money for little effort. In the charter gold rush, cyber schools are veritable diamond mines with, as Roebuck noted, “very …
See all stories on this topic »
Bethel Park wants reform for cyber and charter school funding
McMurray Almanac
Currently, public schools throughout the state pay for each of their students who attends a charter or a cyber charter school and have, in the past, received some reimbursement from the state. However, Gov. Tom Ridge eliminated cyber school …
See all stories on this topic »
C-SPAN to air PA Cyber student’s winning video
Sacramento Bee
STATE COLLEGE, Pa., April 25, 2013 — /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — C-SPAN will air a national award-winning video by Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School student Alan Shimp at 6:50 a.m. Friday, April 26. Shimp, 11, an accelerated student taking …
See all stories on this topic »
Cyber school sets info session tonight
Carbondale News
Commonwealth Connections Academy (CCA), a K-12 public cyber school, is hosting a local information session to educate parents and families about CCA’s …
LH candidates sound off on issues concerning district
Uniontown Herald Standard
The candidates are aware of the drain cyber school is having on public education and in Laurel Highlands school district, where the district spent more than …
Cyber school student denied in her attempt to attend the Cedar …
Penn Live
Lohry, 18, who lives in Lemoyne and is a student at a cyber school, has been denied the chance to attend the prom by the West Shore School District.
Cyber student not allowed to attend prom
abc27
By Kendra Nichols – bio | email Eleanor Lohry, 18, already has the dress and the shoes, but the West Shore School District is not allowing the cyber student …
Cumberland County teen is rejected from Prom
FOX43.com
by Rebecca Solomon A Lemoyne teen is ready to dance at prom, but the West Shore School District says she’s not allowed to because she attends a cyber …
Should cyber school students be able to attend prom?: poll, your …
PennLive.com
They said Lohry, a Lemoyne resident and Commonwealth Connections Academy cyber school student, wasn’t elligible to attend the prom because although she …
Cyber schools hope one day the focus will solely be on learning
CBS 21
For the Cribbs family, school is a top priority in their home. For them, home is where the classroom is. “One of my favorite things about cyber school,” …
Cyber Schools are Raising Questions
About – News & Issues
By Kathy Ceceri, About.com GuideMay 2, 2013 According to a Washington Post story yesterday, Virginia’s first and largest cyber charter school is closing …
Prom not considered extracurricular activity so WSSD can exclude …
Examiner.com
Cyber school helped her to focus on her grades taking classes online in the … Students that attend charter school and cyber schools are considered part of …
C-SPAN president interviews PA Cyber student Alan Shimp
Sacramento Bee
By PA Cyber Charter School Shimp and two other winners in C-SPAN’s “Message … Kerry A. Benninghoff (R-171) and PA Cyber school officials are to be on hand …
West Shore cyber student allowed to attend prom
abc27
By Kendra Nichols – bio | email The West Shore School District is now allowing a cyber student to attend the Cedar Cliff High School prom and she wants to …
a blog from
The Progressive Pulse
Cyber (also called online or virtual) schools allow students to take their entire school caseload through their home computer, and the for-profit K12, …
C-SPAN president interviews PA Cyber student Alan Shimp
MarketWatch
Kerry A. Benninghoff (R-171) and PA Cyber school officials are to be on hand to congratulate Shimp and his parents Ed and Ginger Shimp of State College.
I started this new Sunday feature last week. First, the ProQuest Alert for virtual school.
Moving on to the EBSCO alert for virtual school.
