Digital Discourse / Education

Karen Billings on SIIA’s Vision K20 Report: Dispatches from ISTE

July 8, 2013 By

Karen Billings and the SIIA Education Division team unveiled the full Vision K-20 Survey at a press event at ISTE 2013 in San Antonio late last month. The sixth-annual national survey measured U.S. educational institutions’ self-reported progress toward building a framework that embraces technology and e-learning. The comprehensive report surveyed nearly 1,500 educators and education administrators.

Karen sat down with EdReach for an Industry Insight chat about the release of the 2013 Vision K20 report. She noted that educators still consider technology integration a high priority, despite the gloomy economic environment many educational institutions face.

2013 VISION K-20 FINDING: Levels of technology integration at schools are holding steady despite budget challenges, while interest in technology integration continues to remain high.

Karen also shared her theories on the success of higher ed technology integration with MindShare Learning.

2013 VISION K-20 FINDING: Postsecondary continues to lead the way in technology integration compared to K-12.

Karen also went on screen with TeacherCast to discuss the future of mobile and other educational technology trends from the Vision K-20 report.

2013 VISION K-20 FINDING: Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) and mobile use is increasing in schools. About 95% of four-year postsecondary institutions and 46% of K-12 institutions now allow mobile devices in the classroom.

As the voice of the educational technology industry, SIIA developed a vision for K-20 education that ensures all students have access to a technology-enabled teaching and learning environments capable of preparing them to compete globally and lead the world in innovation. A successful pilot survey was initiated in 2008, with follow-up surveys conducted in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 to support the initiative.

The 2013 Vision K-20 Survey was developed to provide benchmarks against which educators and administrators can measure their institutional progress in using technology to provide 21st century tools, anytime/anywhere access, differentiated learning, assessment tools, and enterprise support.

The full Vision K20 report is available online.

Laura Greenback is Communications Director at SIIA. Follow the SIIA Education Team on Twitter at @SIIAEducation, sign up for SIIA e-newsletters, or join the LinkedIn group.

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Filed Under: Education

SIIA 2013 Vision K-20 Survey Results: U.S. Schools and Universities Express Continued Interest and Desire to Expand Use of Technology

June 25, 2013 By

SIIA released the full report from the 2013 Vision K-20 Survey today, its sixth annual national survey to measure U.S. educational institutions’ self-reported progress toward building a framework that embraces technology and e-learning. SIIA presented the results during the ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) Conference in San Antonio. The comprehensive report surveyed nearly 1,500 educators and education administrators. The preliminary findings were first presented at the Ed Tech Industry Summit in May.

Overall Results

  • BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) implementation in schools is projected to increase over the next five years based on responses to new questions in the survey.
  • Levels of technology integration at schools are holding steady despite budget challenges, while interest in technology integration continues to remain high.
  • Schools and universities continue to rate the importance of technology integration as very important.
  • Postsecondary continues to lead the way in technology integration compared to K-12.

The final 2013 report is available here.

As the voice of the educational technology industry, SIIA developed a vision for K-20 education that ensures all students have access to a technology-enabled teaching and learning environments capable of preparing them to compete globally and lead the world in innovation. A successful pilot survey was initiated in 2008, with follow-up surveys conducted in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 to support the initiative.

The 2013 Vision K-20 Survey was developed to provide benchmarks against which educators and administrators can measure their institutional progress in using technology to provide 21st century tools, anytime/anywhere access, differentiated learning, assessment tools, and enterprise support. SIIA also recognizes the lead partner MMS Education, for its work on the Vision K-20 Survey analysis and report.

Karen BillingsKaren Billings is Vice President for the Education Division at SIIA. Follow the SIIA Education Team on Twitter at @SIIAEducation

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Filed Under: Education

SIIA Applauds President Obama and Senator Rockefeller for Proposal to Enhance E-Rate School Connectivity

June 18, 2013 By

The Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee held a hearing today on the nomination of Mr. Thomas Wheeler to be Chairman, Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (WV) used the occasion to highlight the priority of ensuring that the nation’s students and schools have access to digital learning opportunities through expansion of the E-Rate program. This effort received a significant boost recently when President Obama proposed his ConnectEd initiative, calling on the FCC to take steps to improve and extend the E-Rate.

SIIA strongly supports expansion of the E-Rate program, and applauds both President Obama and Senator Rockefeller for their proposals and leadership. Expanding the E-Rate program will help transform the educational experience for the nation’s students by expanding the availability of high-quality digital learning opportunities. Swift action on this initiative is also critical to support full implementation of new college- and career-ready standards and aligned online assessments.

SIIA President Ken Wasch commented today:

“The nation’s students and schools require modern tools to compete in an increasingly digital, connected and competitive world. SIIA applauds President Obama for his proposal to enhance the E-Rate program to ensure all students and educators can realize the educational benefits made possible by technology. SIIA calls on the Federal Communications Commission to act swiftly to ensure these increased resources can quickly and effectively be directed to teaching and learning objectives.”

SIIA supports and has championed increased public investments in education targeted to both improve access to, and enhance the use of, educational technologies. Learning technologies are needed to improve educational opportunities, student engagement and the personalization of learning. Yet, SIIA’s soon to be released 2013 Vision K-20 educator survey results found that, while their goal for access to robust bandwidth is 3.98 (on a 1-4 scale), educators rate their actual access as only 3.14. Similarly, their need for ubiquitous, wireless access to resources and services ranks as a 3.89, but their actual access is only a 2.64.

Mark SchneidermanMark Schneiderman is Senior Director of Education Policy at SIIA.

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Filed Under: Ed Tech Government Forum, Education, Education Policies, Education Policy, Mobile: Education, Policy Tagged With: , , ,

May’s What’s New in Common Core Standards & Assessments?

June 6, 2013 By

May has been a busy month for Common Core. There appears to be increased backlash against the standards and assessments as the reality of implementation creeps closer. One could argue about the degree to which the concern is genuine or political, real or perceived. The pushback ranges from those citizens and political groups critical of a national curriculum influenced by the federal government  to educator groups concerned that resources and time are inadequate for an accountability (student, teacher and school) system based on CC-aligned assessments (including online SBAC and PARCC).  These pressures have caused several states to pause or rethink their adoption policies. It remains unclear if this is a bump in the road, or less likely, the tip of a significant retreat.  At the same time, there are also many key stakeholders standing up for Common Core and calling for states and education leaders to renew their commitment to implementation by the 2014-2015 school year.

Highlights from SIIA’s summary of happenings this month in CC include: a report on the state of common core by leading researchers; statements from key education leaders on recent Common Core debate; and perspectives from leading media sources. Other featured items include the recently released practice tests and recommendations for teachers and administrators to implement the CCSS.

With all of the recent uncertainty surrounding Common Core, SIIA sees it as vital that our members have access to the latest data and resources on CCSS. Look for more updates by SIIA in a month!

Meanwhile, SIIA members can review past SIIA webinars on CCSS, view session summaries from SIIA’s Ed Tech Government Forum in Washington, DC, and look for our upcoming (TBD) webinar on the Common Core timeline and implementation.

 

 

Lindsay HarmanLindsay Harman is Market and Policy Analyst for the SIIA Education Division.

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Filed Under: Education, Education Policies, Education Policy, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , ,

Momentum Growing for Federal Investment in Digital Learning

June 6, 2013 By

Educators and public officials are no longer asking “if” technology, but instead “how” can they best support and leverage the modernization of schools and teaching through technology and digital learning. That effort has received several boosts this month, including today when President Obama will announce the ConnectED initiative.

Most significantly, “The President is calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to modernize and leverage the existing E-Rate program [to] . . . within five years, connect 99 percent of America’s students, through next-generation broadband (at speeds no less than 100Mbps and with a target of 1Gbps) to, and high-speed wireless within, their schools and libraries.” E-Rate funding has been relatively flat at $2.25 billion since its creation in 1996, while the need for, and the demand for, connectivity has grown dramatically.

The President’s proposal also directs the U.S. Department of Education “to make better use of existing funds to get this technology into classrooms, and into the hands of teachers trained on its advantages,” including especially around teacher professional development through Title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).

Notably, the President’s propsoal identifies the need to “Build on Private-Sector Innovation” to “allow our teachers and students to take full advantage of feature-rich educational devices . . . and high-quality educational software (including applications) . . .”

Federal support is also growing in Congress. Representative George Miller, Ranking Democrat on the House Education & the Workforce Committee, has introduced the Transforming Education Through Technology Act (HR521) to support school technology readiness and teacher professional development to ensure all students can access and benefit from technology. And Senate H.E.L.P. Committee Chairman Tom Harkin includes a number of related programs and provisions in his recently introduced Strengthening America’s Schools Act of 2013. The Harkin proposal builds on legislation (S1087) recently introduced by Senators Hagan, Murray and Baldwin.  At SIIA’s April policy forum (in conjunction with CoSN, ISTE and SETDA), FCC Commissioner Rosenworcel announced a related package of proposed changes to the E-Rate to increase its funding and improve its administration.

SIIA supports and has championed these federal proposals to increase investments in education targeted to both increase access to, and enhance the use of, educational technologies. Learning technologies are needed to improve learning opportunities, engagement and personalization. Yet SIIA’s Vision K20 educator survey and other data shows that access to and use of these technologies is limited.

SIIA calls on the FCC and Congress to advance these and related initiatives needed to ensure all students and educators can realize the educational benefits made possible by technology.

As the President’s proposal articulates: “From digital textbooks that help students visualize and interact with complex concepts, to apps and platforms that adapt to the level of individual student knowledge and help teachers know precisely which lessons or activities are working, this technology is real, it is available, and its capacity to improve education is profound.”

Mark SchneidermanMark Schneiderman is Senior Director of Education Policy at SIIA.

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Filed Under: Ed Tech Government Forum, Education, Education Policies, Education Policy, Legislation, Mobile: Education, Personalized Learning, Policy, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

SIIA Education Division Partners with ISTE and UBTech

June 4, 2013 By

The Education Division today announces new partnerships with two major education technology groups. Through the agreements, SIIA will have a presence at the UBTech and ISTE 2013 events held this month.

The partnerships enable SIIA to extend the many benefits of its prominent Innovation Incubator Program. The Innovation Incubator Program is a peer-review competition that was created to help identify and support entrepreneurs in their development and distribution of innovative learning technologies. The program began in 2006 and has provided mentoring for dozens of successful companies in their efforts to improve education through the use of software, digital content, and related technologies. The application for the next program cycle will open in mid-August 2013.

The partners will provide Innovation Incubator applicants with customer-facing opportunities, including visibility on the conference websites, presentations on the conference programs, and access to conference exhibits at very reduced rates.

Learn more about SIIA’s participation in these industry-leading events:

SIIA UBTech 2013 Partnership Details
What: The Launch Pad at UBTech 2013: A Showcase of New and Notable Higher Ed Companies
When: June 10-12
Where: Orlando, Fla., Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort
Conference Details: Karen Billings will speak about innovation at a session titled “Innovation in Higher Ed: Going from Vision to Success” on Tuesday, June 11. SIIA will have a booth at the Launch Pad pavilion at the conference, which has nearly 1,000 technology, business, finance, IT, network, and facilities executives, directors, and managers in attendance.

SIIA ISTE 2013 Partnership Details
What: ISTE’s Annual Conference and Exposition
When: June 23-26

Where: San Antonio, Texas, San Antonio Convention Center

Partnership Details: Karen Billings will be judging the Innovation PitchFest on Monday, June 24. SIIA is participating in one of the largest gatherings of tech-savvy educators at the forefront of transforming teaching and learning through the effective use of technology.

SIIA Events at ISTE:

  • Member Breakfast and Feedback Forum: Tuesday, June 25, 7–8:30 a.m., Marriott Riverwalk
  • SIIA Press Conference – Recent Research and Reports: Tuesday, June 25, 4–5:30 p.m., Marriott Riverwalk

SIIA also has valued partnerships with edWeb and MCH Strategic Data, which support the Educators’ Choice Award. This aspect of the Innovation Incubator competition allows educators and administrators throughout the country to listen to online presentations by program competitors and serve as evaluators, rating the products they feel best serve the needs of today’s schools. This is also an exceptional opportunity for educators to have a voice and influence new ideas for educational technology products and services. Their votes are then tallied and used to determine the winner of the Educators’ Choice Award.

Karen BillingsKaren Billings is Vice President for the Education Division at SIIA. Follow the SIIA Education Team on Twitter at @SIIAEducation

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Filed Under: Education

Data Driven Innovation Case Study: Pearson-Enabling the Digital Ocean to Improve Student Outcomes

May 20, 2013 By

Data-Driven Innovation (DDI) benefits all sectors of our economy, increases efficiency, saves money and resources, and improves quality of life. From safety and security, to the environment and infrastructure, to health and education, the opportunities for DDI to improve our lives are boundless. In SIIA’s whitepaper, Data-Driven Innovation A Guide for Policymakers: Understanding and Enabling the Economic and Social Value of Data, we explored the ways our member companies are leveraging data to provide cutting edge solutions. Here’s one case study, from Pearson:

Today, we’re in the digital ocean. We can gather information about students’ daily learning activities and interactions with content as they happen in computer-based instruction. The increase of technology-based learning in schools enables us to have all students doing meaningful activity on digital devices. Computers now allow us to capture all kinds of data about what students do as they interact with learning material, seamlessly recorded as they go about their daily learning activity. These interactions can produce an “ocean” of data that, if used correctly, can give us a completely different view of how students progress in acquiring knowledge, skills, and attributes.

This ability to capture data from everyday student learning activity should fundamentally change how we think about assessment.

Invisible assessments allow us to gather information much more frequently without interrupting the flow of instruction, hence the term “invisible.” This lets us provide teachers, students, and parents with feedback about progress immediately and in time to make adjustments to teaching and learning. It also eliminates the common complaint about the heavy time requirements of traditional assessment.

By capturing many, many observations of a student’s learning activity over time, we are able to build models of student learning and proficiency without the pressure of performance on a single test.

David LeDuc is Senior Director, Public Policy at SIIA. He focuses on e-commerce, privacy, cyber security, cloud computing, open standards, e-government and information policy. Follow the SIIA public policy team on Twitter at @SIIAPubPolicy.

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Filed Under: Data-Driven Innovation, Education, Education Policy, Government, Policy, Policy - Privacy, Software
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