ESL 509 ~ Brittany Horst

I really enjoy reading various up-to-date articles each week in regards to technology in education.  I often read a few, maybe 6 or 7, and then choose the one I feel I've gained the most insight from to share in my blog.  I came across a very interesting article called, "A Model for the Digital Classroom."  This article shares that digital learning has been shown to boost achievement.  It begins by reminding the reader that technology in classrooms used to mean a few desktop computers in the back of a classroom.  Technology you see in classrooms now typically could involve some or all of the following: iPads, tablets, laptops, desktops, SMARTboards, clickers, projectors, etc.  The edtech space has only gotten more exciting and expansive each and every year.  Stated directly from the article, " Digital learning has been shown to boost student achievement and is vital to the modernisation of school curriculums, helping teachers deliver better results for...

In searching through my Google Alerts for the week, I came across an article talking specifically about the e-learning and the options we have because it exists.  It was an interesting article right off the bat for me, because the first sentence states "The recent bad weather didn't seem to bother both teachers and students at Lincoln Community High School thanks to a new program called e-learning."  The first thing I thought of were snow days.  Snow days are very bittersweet for most teachers and students.  Loving the fact that we get an unexpected day off of school only lasts so long after pulling out the school calendar to see which snow make up day we will lose.  I absolutely love the idea of e-learning days rather than snow days that need to be made up.  Teachers can simply send students work online and they complete it while at home.  The state board of education made the decision that because the majority students have access to the internet at ...

After reading a few articles I found in my inbox after setting up the Google alerts, I came across a very interesting one regarding how to create a value-driving eLearning app.  This article posted today, February 7th, by Ilya Kislenka, stood out to me.  She found a study stating that the online learning market is projected to reach $238 billion by 2024.  That number is absolutely insane to me.  I can definitely see the appeal, as these learning apps are extremely convenient and easily accessible.  Using these eLearning apps to keep track of student growth and learning is truly an individualistic approach to education.  Some challenges with creating the apps are keeping the students engaged, making it visually appealing, and staying within budget, as the creating of the apps can become pretty pricey.  Kislenka makes some good points when discussing the importance of keeping learners engaged and motivated.  He states the idea of making sure the stu...