Ed News Ticker December 7th 2011
Reed Hastings And John Doerr Put $11M In Adaptive Online Math Learning Platform DreamBox
DreamBox Learning, an adaptive learning startup founded in 2008 raised $11 million from Reed Hastings, the CEO of Netflix and John Doerr. The new round brings the funding of DreamBox to $18 million.
DreamBox Learning will use the new funds to expand its curriculum, fuel future product development, and expand distribution and adoption.
Source: TechCrunch
TeachStreet adds basic formatting to listings
TeachStreet added a small new feature that enables teachers to better format their texts in the listings.
Teachers can now do the following:
- Bold text
- Italicize text
- Add bulleted or numbered lists (like this one!)
- Edit in HTML
Source: TeachStreet
Proof in Study: Math App Improves Test Scores (And Engagement)
There is more and more evidence and data that math applications like HMH Algebra 1 by ScrollMotion (EDUKWEST interview) and Motion Math are indeed improve the skills of students.
“Fifth graders’ fractions test scores improved an average of over 15% after playing Motion Math for 20 minutes daily over a five-day period, a significant increase compared to a control group.”
Source: MindShift
Thompson: Using Philanthropy As A Trojan Horse
The primary threat to public education aren’t budget cuts or teacher unions.
The biggest danger is the alliance between “the billionaires boys club” and corporate-types like Rupert Murdoch who see schools as a $500 billion untapped market.
Source: Scholastic Administrator
Educational Content and Learning Experiences Wirelessly Delivered to Home TV Console
AT&T and TVTextbook partner to bring interactive educational content directly on the TV screen.
Using AT&T’s 3G network, the student’s learning day will be extended to the home, helping to connect households where computers and Internet connectivity are not readily available. TVT’s flexible design fits into any school district’s IT purchasing strategy, as the content runs on any TV, as well as PCs, and, soon, tablets and other media.
Source: AT&T
A New Instructional Model Keeps At-Risk Kids Engaged
Many teachers have been told that they are to teach from bell to bell. These teachers believe the only real way to teach is to lecture in front of the board for 50 minutes.
Big mistake!
Source: Edutopia
