Google has attempted to bring online educational videos safely into the classroom by creating a Youtube site that is dedicated to all levels of education, from help in K-12 classes to full university courses to lifelong learning videos.
Teachers will be getting some help re-aligning their existing lesson plans with the Common Core. A new software called Studysync will help convert existing lesson plans or assist teachers in creating their own tests and assignments. It also keeps a portfolio for each student to show progress throughout the year.
The U.S. Department of Education released a report “Advancing Civic Learning and Engagement in Democracy” as a call to action for more civic learning. It encourages “action civics” (using technology and social media for learning and practice) over your “grandmother’s civics” (rote memorization of dates). (Emmy discussed how Ohio is already implementing goal #7 of the report with HB 211, which addresses history in the K-12 classroom.)
Looks like Apple is trying its luck in the textbook business. Apple recently announced the release of iBooks2, an interactive textbook software. They hope to circumvent state regulation on textbooks by releasing the software for free for iPads.
