The Magic of Education Technology

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Education Cybersecurity Weekly is a curated weekly news overview for those who are concerned about the Education industry. It provides brief summaries and links to articles and news across a spectrum of cybersecurity and technology topics that are specific to the industry.
Yeah, Harry Potter will probably raise his eyebrows but computational thinking seems to have more useful features than any spells.Do you believe that a drone in a classroom is as common thing as a blackboard or a pencil case? Here is the evidence.

Alohomora! Open students’ minds via computational thinking

EdSurge on November 28, 2018
Yeah, Harry Potter will probably raise his eyebrows but computational thinking seems to have more useful features than any spells.
Actually, computational thinking is a cross-disciplinary skill that can be applied in any subject (not just math or science). For instance, Franco Moretti, a literary scholar, described the use of social graphs to analyze Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”. This kind of literary analysis basically involves analyzing “network diagrams” or “interaction graphs”: the characters are represented as nodes and joined by an edge in case of their interaction. Thus, students can look at the work from a different angle.
More importantly, computational thinking allows learners to develop and implement a problem-solving approach in their study. Therefore, when it comes to acquiring cybersecurity skills, computational thinking may become a magic wand for students.

Students, what is your favorite subject? – Virtual reality.

Edscoop on November 29, 2018
Almost all, the writers of the 20th century dreamed about, is coming true. Although flying taxis are still not invented, educational organizations are moving with the times. Shenandoah University will become the first college in Virginia to launch a degree in augmented and virtual reality, with an emphasis on the “human experience” behind the technology. The VR program will contain three majors related to three different areas of concentration – theater, filmmaking, and computer science – to accommodate the various career opportunities in VR.
Moreover, VR program is designed to allow students to learn how the technology can be applied to other subjects and fields of industry.

It’s not about how virtual reality functions. It’s about, ‘How does history function in virtual reality? How does biology function in virtual reality? How does psychology function with these new tools?

J.J. Ruscella, executive director of the university’s Center for Immersive Learning

Drones, fly to the board!

EdTech on November 30, 2018
A fantastic future is coming! Do you believe that a drone in a classroom is as common thing as a blackboard or a pencil case? Here is the evidence.
In April students of the Young Women’s Leadership Academy in Texas took part in the Bell Drone Competition. Girls got the box of drone parts and the dimensions of what the would need to construct. Furthermore, the drone had to be able to perform different functions like picking up tennis balls, dropping them into a basket and using the camera to navigate an obstacle-filled landscape. Although the team did not win the competition, the case is a good example of how drones take a strong position in the EdTech trends.
By the way, in some districts drones has already become a regular part of the STEM program.

For some classes, teachers may use a drone for flying as an incentive or for basic coding practice, while others have the students plot out equations, using the drones to study math. We also did one drone lesson for student writing. The drones really open up student interest, and there are so many applications for them across our curriculum.

Marisa Vickery, facilitator of learning and innovation for the Dripping Springs Independent School District

AI advances Education Technology

Techniblogic on December 1, 2018
Nowadays artificial intelligence is a commonplace. A commonplace that is able to change the reality and create new opportunities for all spheres of humans’ life. The education sector is no exception. Have a look at the ways AI advances EdTech:

  • Providing adaptive learning solutions. By gathering students’ data AI makes solutions for teachers in matching every student’s requirements.
  • Adopting deep learning. Special algorithms track student behavior, then use it to identify the level of their cognitive abilities and make the learning recommendations.
  • Developing tools to aid in collaborative education via integrating technologies into our communications.
  • Freeing up time for class discussions. Teachers do not have to spend much time on scheduling, data keeping, and other organizational work because it can be handled by EdTech.

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