Equity, ease of implementation key in choosing effective digital learning tools

A veteran educator writes that teachers must also be given space to try a tool themselves before it's introduced to classrooms.

By Lauren Barack • May 12, 2021

Why we can't drop the ball on ed tech now

A nonprofit executive writes that technology is an essential tool that can be a great equalizer for students — especially those with disabilities.

By Brad Turner • April 28, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

School Safety and Security

Safety and security has been a growing concern for school districts, with shootings continuing to rise amid concerns over how to best prevent and respond to them.

By K-12 Dive staff

Unvetted digital resources remain potential school data privacy risk

Tools hastily adopted during the transition to remote learning as a result of COVID-19 should also be revisited to gauge effectiveness.

By Shawna De La Rosa • April 28, 2021

Remote learning underscores need for lessons on copyright, fair use

Educators can use their own experiences sourcing materials to help students understand how to safely select, attribute and use resources created by others.

By Lauren Barack • April 14, 2021

Promoting SEL, equity in hybrid learning

Finding a balance to meet the needs of all students remains a challenge in hybrid models, but one expert suggests building on common practices.

By Shawna De La Rosa • April 6, 2021

2020 was a record year for K-12 cybersecurity incidents

According to the K-12 Cybersecurity Resource Center, U.S. schools faced 408 publicized incidents — an 18% increase over 2019.

By Roger Riddell • March 31, 2021

Study: Audio-based literacy expands early learners' vocabularies

Researchers found the use of interactive, pre-recorded storybooks significantly improved at-risk preschoolers' vocabularies, with gains including words such as "disappointed," "enormous," "brave" and "protect."

By Roger Riddell • March 30, 2021

How will pandemic-era tech investments expand districts' long-term capabilities?

Remote learning will be helpful when students can't physically be in class, but the tech could also expand course and program options for many districts.

By Shawna De La Rosa • March 29, 2021

SXSW EDU: How can learning science improve virtual classrooms?

Experts suggested intentional strategy, planning and PD will be key for teachers and students to succeed in future iterations of virtual learning.

By Roger Riddell • March 11, 2021

SXSW EDU: 3 key areas where COVID-19 challenged special education

Online learning accessibility has been a major barrier for students with disabilities and their teachers, but some progress has been made, speakers and attendees said Tuesday.

By Kara Arundel • March 10, 2021

8 ways a year of dueling crises is shaping the future of K-12 schools

The impacts of a pandemic disrupting school from the ground up and the nation's reckoning with systemic racism will be felt for years to come.

By Roger Riddell , Kara Arundel , Naaz Modan • March 10, 2021

What enablers, accelerators and hurdles are driving K-12 innovation?

Presenters in a virtual session of the annual Consortium for School Networking Conference suggested new perspectives may be required of educators to fully capitalize on innovative practices, tools and resources.

By Roger Riddell • March 5, 2021

Report: US schools receive D grade for infrastructure

The American Society of Civil Engineers said nearly 41% of schools have issues with HVAC systems, which is a "significant concern."

By Naaz Modan • March 4, 2021

Superintendents: CTO collaborations improved pandemic responses

During a virtual CoSN session, three district leaders outlined how they relied on their tech experts for innovative solutions to improve staff efficiency and student learning.

By Kara Arundel • March 3, 2021

Esports clubs can strengthen digital citizenship, illuminate career paths

Shutdowns and canceled extracurriculars due to COVID-19 have led to further growth in popularity for virtual competitions, an educator writes.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Feb. 26, 2021

How to create more meaningful STEM lessons

Educators say hands-on and other projects, like coding a virtual Mars rover, can tie lessons to events in the world around students.

By Lauren Barack • Feb. 24, 2021

Why virtual professional development has staying power

The flexibility and relevance of remote PD and coaching work especially well for educators in rural areas, one literacy coach writes.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Feb. 19, 2021

Study: Increased internet access improves achievement, district finances

But strategic planning is also needed to mitigate the potential disciplinary consequences of expanding student internet access, researchers note.

By Roger Riddell • Feb. 18, 2021

Using texts to boost Pre-K to 3 learning during the pandemic

Tennessee officials hope an early literacy texting pilot program in three-fourths of districts can help stem learning losses for the youngest learners.

By Naaz Modan • Feb. 17, 2021

How individual conferences can benefit students and teachers

One-to-one meetings can help build soft skills and strengthen the connection between a student and teacher, writes a K-8 instructional coach.

By Lauren Barack • Feb. 10, 2021

3 curricular models for building a sense of classroom community online

Educators say the collaboration that comes with projects, workshopping and other models can be adapted and maintained in virtual learning.

By Lauren Barack • Feb. 10, 2021

Survey: 13% of teachers never used digital learning tools before pandemic

The shift to remote learning also lowered teachers' confidence in using digital resources, according to data from GBH Education and PBS Learning Media.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Feb. 9, 2021

IBM to award $3M in cybersecurity grants to 6 districts

The initiative will support services delivered to the districts via teams dispatched from the tech company's Service Corps Program.

By Roger Riddell • Feb. 5, 2021

What makes project-based learning fit virtual needs?

Flexibility for demonstrating learning offers ample opportunity for adaptation, but experts say real-world connections and virtual collaboration are key.

By Lauren Barack • Feb. 3, 2021

How an innovative district went 'old school' in its remote, hybrid approaches

For one of Michigan's top districts, adapting an alternate take on a familiar component of traditional classrooms helped students acclimate to the change.

By Natalie Gross • Feb. 3, 2021