05/13/21
The Federal Communications Commission has finalized rules
for a $7.17 billion program that will reimburse schools for 100%
of the “reasonable” cost of equipment and services to give
students the access to technology they need for remote and hybrid
learning.
According to the FCC, some 17 million students lack adequate
broadband or devices for today’s learning. The Emergency Connectivity Fund Program will allow
schools (and libraries) “to purchase laptop and tablet computers,
Wi-Fi hotspots, and broadband connectivity for students, school
staff, and library patrons in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
In order to be eligible, such equipment must be used primarily for
Study: Device Quality Impacts Remote Learning
05/11/21
Broadband access and speed aren’t the only technological concerns
for students engaged in remote and hybrid learning. The quality of
the student device itself also plays a key role, according to a new
study.
According to a report
released by the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), an
association for IT leaders in K–12 education, two factors
significantly affect the experience students have with remote
learning: the age of the device and device specifications.
According to the report: “… [U]pload and download speeds during
online classes/meetings can vary significantly by the age, type, and
05/11/21
Edsby, a learning
management system designed for K–12, has released an update that
adds support for Zoom and Microsoft Teams video, whiteboarding and
chat.
The new feature is called EdsbyLive. It adds a button to the teacher
view that allows them to “go live now.” According to Edsby,
“These buttons launch online meetings and make them available only
at the time a teacher has requested it, and only to students in the
class. If configured by the district, only authenticated users may
participate in meetings, and only with their real names, minimizing
the chance of unauthorized intrusions.”
Edsby said plans are in place to add support for other online meeting
05/10/21
The United States Department of Agriculture is awarding grants
ranging from $50,000 to $1 million to organizations supporting
distance learning and telemedicine in rural communities. The deadline
for this competitive grant program is June 4.
The USDA Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grant Program (DLT) is
designed to serve communities of 20,000 residents or fewer. In
addition, the agency is encouraging applicants “to consider
projects that will promote equity and economic opportunity in rural
America, specifically those that advance the following key
priorities: Containing the COVID-19 pandemic;
05/06/21
Adobe and Khan Academy have teamed up for the development of “new,
free online learning resources that foster creative and critical
thinking skills, helping all students reach their potential and
ultimately, be better prepared for college and career pathways.” As
part of the effort, Khan has named Adobe its creative partner. Adobe
will contribute $1 million toward the development of content.
One of the early results of the partnership is a new course on the
Adobe Exchange called Teach
Creativity with Adobe and Khan Academy. The course includes “more
than 20 lessons, a hands on assignment, and a certificate for 20
accredited professional learning hours. Throughout the year ahead,