EdTech & Innovation Archives - The Edvocate https://www.theedadvocate.org/category/tech-2/ Fighting for Education Equity, Reform and Innovation Thu, 01 Jun 2023 02:01:40 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://www.theedadvocate.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/cropped-The-Edvocate-220x90b-Without-Subscript-32x32.jpg EdTech & Innovation Archives - The Edvocate https://www.theedadvocate.org/category/tech-2/ 32 32 For over 15 years, veteran educator Matthew Lynch has written about and researched the field of education. On “The Edvocate Podcast,” he discusses education trends, issues, and futures. To join him on this journey, click the subscribe button. <br /> Dr. Matthew Lynch clean episodic Dr. Matthew Lynch Copyright © 2018 Matthew Lynch. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2018 Matthew Lynch. All rights reserved. podcast Discussions of Education's Past, Present, and Future EdTech & Innovation Archives - The Edvocate https://www.theedadvocate.org/wp-content/uploads/powerpress/The_Edvocate-231.jpg https://www.theedadvocate.org/category/tech-2/ TV-G Richmond, Virginia Richmond, Virginia 1 c9c7bad3-4712-514e-9ebd-d1e208fa1b76 EdTech App: How Much Does It Cost? https://www.theedadvocate.org/edtech-app-how-much-does-it-cost/ Thu, 01 Jun 2023 02:01:40 +0000 https://www.theedadvocate.org/?p=63095 EdTech App is a comprehensive mobile app that provides educators with a wealth of instructional tools and resources. It is available for free on the App Store and Google Play, and the cost of the app is negligible when compared to the benefits it provides. The app features a wide variety of tools and resources, including: -A library of teaching resources that can be accessed from anywhere -A forum for educators to share ideas and feedback -A calendar of upcoming events -A tool for tracking student progress The app is a valuable resource for educators, and its cost is negligible […]

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EdTech App is a comprehensive mobile app that provides educators with a wealth of instructional tools and resources. It is available for free on the App Store and Google Play, and the cost of the app is negligible when compared to the benefits it provides.

The app features a wide variety of tools and resources, including:

-A library of teaching resources that can be accessed from anywhere

-A forum for educators to share ideas and feedback

-A calendar of upcoming events

-A tool for tracking student progress

The app is a valuable resource for educators, and its cost is negligible when compared to the benefits it provides.

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The Top Cybersecurity Grants for Education and How To Apply for Them https://www.theedadvocate.org/the-top-cybersecurity-grants-for-education-and-how-to-apply-for-them/ Thu, 16 Mar 2023 13:00:13 +0000 https://www.theedadvocate.org/?p=62290 In today’s digital age, cybersecurity has become a critical concern for every sector of society, including education. Educational institutions have massive amounts of sensitive data, from student and staff records to financial data, and are, therefore, prime targets for cyber attackers. Fortunately, several organizations provide cybersecurity grants specifically for educational institutions. Here are the top cybersecurity grants for education and how to apply for them: 1. National Science Foundation (NSF) CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service The NSF’s CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service program aims to increase the number of qualified cybersecurity experts by offering scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students in cybersecurity-related […]

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In today’s digital age, cybersecurity has become a critical concern for every sector of society, including education. Educational institutions have massive amounts of sensitive data, from student and staff records to financial data, and are, therefore, prime targets for cyber attackers.

Fortunately, several organizations provide cybersecurity grants specifically for educational institutions. Here are the top cybersecurity grants for education and how to apply for them:

1. National Science Foundation (NSF) CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service

The NSF’s CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service program aims to increase the number of qualified cybersecurity experts by offering scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students in cybersecurity-related fields. The scholarship covers tuition, fees, and a stipend in exchange for service in a federal, state, local, or tribal agency for a period equal to the length of the scholarship.

To apply for this grant, institutions must first be designated as a CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service institution by submitting a proposal to the NSF.

2. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cybersecurity Education and Awareness (CE&A) Program

The DHS CE&A program offers funding to educational institutions for cybersecurity education and training programs, curriculum development, and student initiatives. The program aims to promote awareness of cybersecurity risks and best practices among students, faculty, and staff.

To apply for this grant, institutions must submit a proposal that outlines their cybersecurity education and awareness plan, including the goals, objectives, and activities that will be undertaken.

3. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE)

The NIST NICE program provides funding to educational institutions for cybersecurity education, workforce development, and outreach programs. The program aims to support the development of a robust cybersecurity workforce and promote cybersecurity awareness among students, faculty, and staff.

To apply for this grant, institutions must submit a proposal that outlines their cybersecurity education and workforce development plan, including the goals, objectives, and activities that will be undertaken.

4. National Science Foundation (NSF) Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace (SaTC)

The NSF SaTC program provides funding to educational institutions for research in cybersecurity and privacy. The program aims to develop new technologies, processes, and policies to enhance cybersecurity and privacy in complex systems.

To apply for this grant, institutions must submit a proposal that outlines their research objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes.

5. Department of Education Grants for Technology and Safety

The Department of Education offers technology and safety grants to educational institutions for the development and implementation of programs that promote safe and responsible use of technology. These grants can be used to fund cybersecurity education and training programs, as well as the purchase of cybersecurity technology and tools.

To apply for this grant, institutions must submit a proposal that outlines their technology and safety plan, including the goals, objectives, and activities that will be undertaken.

In conclusion, cybersecurity grants for education are critical for ensuring the safety and security of educational institutions and their sensitive data. Educational institutions can take advantage of these grants by submitting a proposal that outlines their cybersecurity education and workforce development plan or their research objectives and methodology. With these grants, educational institutions can develop a robust cybersecurity program and contribute to the development of a skilled cybersecurity workforce. 

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LMS: Everything You Need to Know https://www.theedadvocate.org/lms-everything-you-need-to-know/ Wed, 25 Jan 2023 08:13:00 +0000 https://www.theedadvocate.org/?p=46301 This is an acronym for Learning Management System, e.g., Blackboard, which functions chiefly to help educators provide educational instructions to students while assessing them via online means. An LMS can be personalized/adapted to suit the needs of the educator and students alike. Using an LMS offers a multitude of benefits in a school setting. Some important ones include the following: Efficient distribution of class materials: By using an LMS to share class materials, all students – whether they’re learning remotely or in class – can have access to the lessons, including resources, objectives, and activities. Textbooks can also be shared […]

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This is an acronym for Learning Management System, e.g., Blackboard, which functions chiefly to help educators provide educational instructions to students while assessing them via online means. An LMS can be personalized/adapted to suit the needs of the educator and students alike.

Using an LMS offers a multitude of benefits in a school setting. Some important ones include the following:

Efficient distribution of class materials: By using an LMS to share class materials, all students – whether they’re learning remotely or in class – can have access to the lessons, including resources, objectives, and activities. Textbooks can also be shared online through software applications.

Availability of resources in different formats: Educators can disseminate resources in a diverse range of formats. They can gather multiple resources on a skill or topic that will help students understand the content in a way that suits them.

Parental access to assessment dates and class schedules: Parents and guardians can access their kids’ assessment dates, class schedules, class outlines, etc. This creates opportunities for meaningful conversations between teachers and parents/guardians regarding students’ performance and activities.

Diverse assessment options: Teachers can conduct assessments in multiple formats using an LMS. Multiple choices, short quizzes, etc., provide the opportunity to offer immediate feedback. Educators can also reference external sites to use topics or questions from them. Students can upload their work in different formats, including videos, podcasts, or screencasts.

Transparent feedback: Feedback from educators for summative and formative assessments can be easily shared with students through an LMS. Feedback can also be sent to parents and stored in the LMS so students can easily access them later.

Tracking student data: Teachers can use the LMS to store data from student attendance and assessments. It helps them easily identify the students who need additional support. Similarly, they can identify gifted students and those who are talented in multiple subjects.

Cost-effective strategy: Schools can save a substantial amount of money in the long run by implementing an LMS. While the price of the solution goes up depending on the scale of a school’s system, it helps to cut costs in several aspects.

Deeper insights: An LMS provides deep insights that help educators and schools make informed decisions. It also gives deeper insights into students’ overall performance – much more than attendance, grades, and performance reviews. The system can analyze students’ past records and extracurricular activities and generate detailed reports, which help schools and educators track the students’ overall progress.

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PBS Reno’s Curiosity Classroom Robotics Program Has Served 25,200 Students Since 2021 https://www.theedadvocate.org/pbs-renos-curiosity-classroom-robotics-program-has-served-25200-students-since-2021/ Tue, 17 Jan 2023 16:34:55 +0000 https://www.theedadvocate.org/?p=55937 Powered by 40+ educators and 225 KIBO robots, the community outreach program brings STEAM and coding to rural students and families at no cost (Waltham, MA) January 17, 2023 – KinderLab Robotics, a leader in educational robotics for grades pre-K–5, today celebrated the success of PBS Reno’s Curiosity Classroom, a community outreach program that brings robotics to preschoolers through 4th-graders in seven counties in Nevada, at no cost. PBS Reno created its own robotics curriculum using KIBO, the screen-free STEAM coding robot from KinderLab. Since 2021, PBS Reno facilitators and KIBO have introduced 25,200 students to robotics and coding. “We’re […]

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Powered by 40+ educators and 225 KIBO robots, the community outreach program brings STEAM and coding to rural students and families at no cost

(Waltham, MA) January 17, 2023KinderLab Robotics, a leader in educational robotics for grades pre-K–5, today celebrated the success of PBS Reno’s Curiosity Classroom, a community outreach program that brings robotics to preschoolers through 4th-graders in seven counties in Nevada, at no cost. PBS Reno created its own robotics curriculum using KIBO, the screen-free STEAM coding robot from KinderLab. Since 2021, PBS Reno facilitators and KIBO have introduced 25,200 students to robotics and coding.

“We’re deeply impressed by the creativity of the team at PBS Reno,” said Mitch Rosenberg, CEO at KinderLab Robotics. “They’ve put together a rigorous and fun curriculum that allows their dedicated facilitators to bring playful STEAM activities to students who might not otherwise have the chance to experience age-appropriate programming during their formative years. In a very real way, they are changing the trajectory of these children’s lives.”

Serving learners in public, private, and charter schools, as well as homeschooling cooperatives, the Curiosity Classroom robotics curriculum aims to offer hands-on STEAM and coding lessons to students who may not otherwise have the opportunity. 

“PBS Reno is unique in this service delivery model, and the program is growing by word of mouth among teachers,” said Joy Foremaster, Director of Education at PBS Reno. “One thing we really love about KIBO is that it’s screen-free. When we go into those rural areas where they don’t have a computer for every student to use, having a robot that’s self-contained enables us to do so many more STEAM activities with those students.”

Over 40 facilitators, most of whom are former teachers and all of whom have prior classroom experience, held 787 workshops last academic year. This school year they have led 261 workshops so far, with a goal of 900. Each workshop includes a 45-60 minute lesson that adheres to state standards and includes a literacy component. With 225 KIBOs available, each student gets to spend hands-on time with their own robot.

“PBS Reno brings science that engages the students’ hands and minds,” said Brandy Ayers, a kindergarten teacher from Pinecrest Academy of Northern Nevada. “Twenty-six kindergarteners playing with 26 robots was totally amazing! This is something they will remember for a long time.”

In addition to workshops, PBS Reno Curiosity Classroom facilitators lead family nights featuring fun activities such as a space mission, in which students and their families program KIBOs to explore an alien planet, or dance parties where participants program the educational robots to boogie down with some music. After in-school workshops and family nights, the facilitators also send students home with fun activities to practice programming concepts with their families. One example is “program a family member,” in which students try to write a program using directions similar to KIBO’s coding blocks to direct a family member to move or dance a certain way.

“These workshops boost the kids’ interest in robotics and coding,” said Stephanie McMillen, a 3rd-grade teacher from CC Meneley Elementary School. “It teaches wonderful technology vocabulary and it provides for interdisciplinary connections. I love the content and the tech. Thanks for bringing such light to our day.” 

For more information about KIBO, visit KinderLabRobotics.com. Visit PBSReno.org to learn more about PBS Reno’s robotics program.

About KinderLab Robotics

KinderLab Robotics is the creator of the award-winning KIBO, a playful educational STEAM robot kit based on 20+ years of child development research with thousands of children, teachers, and parents. Developed specifically for teachers by Dr. Marina Umaschi Bers from Boston College, KIBO is currently used in 70+ countries and has proven efficacy in helping kids in Prek-5th grade learn STEAM—and getting them excited about it! KinderLab offers a complete suite of teaching materials that help integrate STEAM elements into a wide range of curricula, including art, cultural studies, and reading literacy. For more information, please visit KinderLabRobotics.com

About PBS Reno

As of February 2022, PBS Reno Channel 5.1 is watched weekly by more than 113,000 people in approximately 62,000 households in northern and central Nevada and northeastern California, with viewership on multicast channels Reno Create 5.2 and PBS KIDS Reno 5.3. PBS Reno channels are also available on cable, satellite services, and via livestream on YouTube TV. PBS Reno provides PBS national programming and award-earning, locally-produced content. PBSReno.org provides engaging interactive content, including the video portal at watch.pbsreno.org/ that streams all locally-produced content and most PBS national content. PBS Reno serves students, teachers, parents and caregivers through immersive educational services including Curiosity Classroom Workshops that bring classroom lessons to life with standards-based lessons and watch.PBSReno.org activities. Through the support of local corporations and foundations, as well as thousands of individual members, PBS Reno has been delivering public television and educational services to the communities it serves since 1983.

Press Contact
Chris Piehler
PRP Group
chris@prp.group

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Machine Learning: Everything You Need to Know https://www.theedadvocate.org/machine-learning-everything-you-need-to-know/ Sun, 08 Jan 2023 06:54:00 +0000 https://www.theedadvocate.org/?p=46267 Machine learning is known to be that arm of computer science that utilizes mathematical principles to help computer systems become markedly better performing on detailed data-driven tasks without any ambiguous programming. Good examples of the incorporation of machine learning into education are the use of artificial intelligence and learning analytics. Some important machine learning applications in the education sector include: Adaptive learning: In this educational method, a student’s performance is analyzed in real-time, and teaching methods and the curriculum are modified based on that data. It tries to adapt to the individual student for better education and helps to build […]

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Machine learning is known to be that arm of computer science that utilizes mathematical principles to help computer systems become markedly better performing on detailed data-driven tasks without any ambiguous programming. Good examples of the incorporation of machine learning into education are the use of artificial intelligence and learning analytics.

Some important machine learning applications in the education sector include:

Adaptive learning: In this educational method, a student’s performance is analyzed in real-time, and teaching methods and the curriculum are modified based on that data. It tries to adapt to the individual student for better education and helps to build a personalized engagement. The software helps in advising learning avenues that the student should take.

Increased efficiency: Machine learning appears with the capability to better organize and manage content and the curriculum. It helps to bifurcate the tasks accordingly and understand everyone’s potential. It helps to identify what works for the student and what work is ideal for the teacher. It also has the ability to make teachers more efficient by completing tasks such as scheduling, classroom management, etc. Therefore, the teachers are free to concentrate on tasks that machine learning cannot accomplish and require a human touch.

Learning analytics: Sometimes, teachers get stuck while teaching. As a result, the students cannot properly understand the insights and gist. Learning analytics helps teachers gain insight into data and perform deep dives into it. They can sift through lots of pieces of content, interpret them, and then make connections and conclusions.

Predictive analysis: Predictive analysis in education revolves around knowing the needs and mindsets of the students. It helps to make conclusions about the occurrences that may happen in the future. With the half-yearly results and class tests, it can be understood which students will have a tough time in the exam and which students will perform well.

Personalized learning: This is one of the best usages of machine learning in the education field. It’s customizable and individual requirements can be taken care of through this. The students can guide their learning through this educational model. They can make decisions about which subjects to learn and how to learn.

Evaluating assessments: Machine learning is used to grade exams and student assignments more accurately than a human can. While some inputs from educators are required, the final results will have higher reliability and validity when a machine does the work as there’re fewer chances of errors.

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KinderLab Robotics Donates Robot Kits to Connect Schools in Pennsylvania and Guatemala https://www.theedadvocate.org/kinderlab-robotics-donates-robot-kits-to-connect-schools-in-pennsylvania-and-guatemala/ Thu, 15 Dec 2022 15:15:46 +0000 https://www.theedadvocate.org/?p=51039 The international STEAM collaboration will show students in both countries that ‘you can be anything you want to be in this world’ (Waltham, MA) December 15, 2022 — KinderLab Robotics today announced that it has donated four KIBO robot kits to La Puerta Abierta, a school in Santiago Atitlán, Guatemala. Part of a partnership with Sewickley Academy, near Pittsburgh, PA, this donation will foster cross-cultural collaboration between the schools. Sewickley’s 5th-graders, who have experience teaching younger students about robotics through the school’s Big Buddies program, will offer guidance to La Puerta Abierta’s 1st-graders as they work on fun, hands-on programming […]

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The international STEAM collaboration will show students in both countries that ‘you can be anything you want to be in this world’

(Waltham, MA) December 15, 2022 KinderLab Robotics today announced that it has donated four KIBO robot kits to La Puerta Abierta, a school in Santiago Atitlán, Guatemala. Part of a partnership with Sewickley Academy, near Pittsburgh, PA, this donation will foster cross-cultural collaboration between the schools. Sewickley’s 5th-graders, who have experience teaching younger students about robotics through the school’s Big Buddies program, will offer guidance to La Puerta Abierta’s 1st-graders as they work on fun, hands-on programming challenges. 

La Puerta Abierta, which relies heavily on volunteers and donations, was co-founded by Amanda Flayer, who was a Peace Corps volunteer with Michelle Bonham, a Lower School Spanish teacher at Sewickley Academy. The two schools have previously collaborated by having their 5th-graders create a bilingual book together. When La Puerta Abierta secured mathematics professor and data analyst Gaspar Yataz Pop as a volunteer to teach robotics using KIBO, the idea for the STEAM-powered collaboration between the schools’ students was born.

“We look forward to giving our elementary school students the opportunity to engage with another culture,” said Beau Blaser, director of technology at Sewickley Academy. “Through coding and collaboration, they’ll be learning to connect ideas and concepts together from a great distance. That can lead to an appreciation of the different cultures, but also a realization that there’s a lot of commonality across the human experience. What better way to do that than with some of our youngest learners? They’ll see that anybody can become an engineer or express their artistic ability—you can be anything you want to be in this world, whether you’re from Guatemala or Sewickley, Pennsylvania.”

Because Guatemala has sporadic wireless access, Sewickley Academy chose the screen-free KIBO as the hands-on coding robot to share with La Puerta Abierta’s young students. Sewickley Academy’s computer science teacher Julia Tebbets and Bonham will offer Pop professional development on KIBO via Zoom or Google Meet. Students in Sewickley and Santiago Atitlán will then collaborate on programming projects beginning in early 2023. According to Tebbets, one initial idea is for students to program their KIBOs to do dances that reflect each culture.

“We are delighted to support this cross-cultural collaboration,” said Mitch Rosenberg, CEO of KinderLab Robotics Inc. “As KinderLab co-founder Marina Bers shows in her book Beyond Coding: How Children Learn Values Through Programming, KIBO’s screen-free, block-based programming system connects students who speak different languages and come from different cultures. Working together to bring their robots to life in fun STEAM projects will show the students in America and Guatemala how the power of collaborationlike the power of STEAM thinking—transcends all borders.”

 

About KIBO – The Playful STEAM Robot

KIBO is a robot kit that allows children aged 4–10 to build, program, decorate, and bring their own robot to life without requiring any screen time on a smartphone, tablet, or computer. With art and building, students transform KIBO into imagined animals, vehicles, storybook characters, and more. When children create their own robot, they perceive it as play, but they are learning invaluable STEAM skills. Not only are these hands-on experiences inherently rewarding, but they help children understand the technology in their world and can even improve their future job prospects.

About KinderLab Robotics

KinderLab Robotics is the creator of the award-winning KIBO, a playful, educational STEAM robot kit based on 20+ years of child development research with thousands of children, teachers, and parents. Developed specifically for teachers by Dr. Marina Umaschi Bers at Boston College, KIBO is currently used in 70+ countries and has proven efficacy in helping kids learn STEAM—and getting them excited about it! KinderLab offers a complete suite of teaching materials that help integrate STEAM elements into a wide range of curricula, including art, cultural studies, and reading literacy. 

For more information, please visit KinderLabRobotics.com.

Press Contact

Chris Piehler
PRP Group
Chris@PRP.group

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New Study Finds that PowerMyLearning’s SEL Program Accelerates Math and Reading Outcomes and Improves Student Behavior https://www.theedadvocate.org/new-study-finds-that-powermylearnings-sel-program-accelerates-math-and-reading-outcomes-and-improves-student-behavior/ Thu, 01 Dec 2022 16:37:39 +0000 https://www.theedadvocate.org/?p=51007 After integrating SEL into academic instruction, Jeanne R. Meadows Elementary improved student behavior, strengthened SEL skills, and saw a statistically significant difference in the proportion of students who exceeded or met district math and reading benchmarks. (NEW YORK/SAN JOSE, Calif.) November 15, 2022 — PowerMyLearning, a K-12 nonprofit that unlocks the power of collaboration among families, teachers, and students, today shared research results from their “Nurture Student Growth Through Social Emotional Learning (SEL)” program at Jeanne R. Meadows Elementary School (“Meadows”). The research shows that integrating SEL practices into academic instruction can accelerate reading and math outcomes and improve student […]

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After integrating SEL into academic instruction, Jeanne R. Meadows Elementary improved student behavior, strengthened SEL skills, and saw a statistically significant difference in the proportion of students who exceeded or met district math and reading benchmarks.

(NEW YORK/SAN JOSE, Calif.) November 15, 2022 — PowerMyLearning, a K-12 nonprofit that unlocks the power of collaboration among families, teachers, and students, today shared research results from their “Nurture Student Growth Through Social Emotional Learning (SEL)” program at Jeanne R. Meadows Elementary School (“Meadows”). The research shows that integrating SEL practices into academic instruction can accelerate reading and math outcomes and improve student behavior and SEL skills like self-efficacy.

At the start of the 2021-22 school year, the leadership and staff at Meadows, a Title I school that is part of the Franklin-McKinley School District in San Jose, Calif., were acutely aware of the impact of the pandemic, the economic downturn, as well as political and racial unrest on student learning and mental health.

After a year of remote instruction, Meadows leadership sought an evidence-based approach that addressed three focus areas:

  1. Build teacher capacity to support students’ academic and social-emotional needs.
  2. Improve students’ behavior and SEL skills.
  3. Strengthen relationships with families.

PowerMyLearning partnered with Meadows to implement an SEL intervention that included professional development workshops and small-group coaching sessions for teachers as well as workshops for families focused on supporting their own and their children’s well-being. 

With PowerMyLearning’s support, Meadows effectively addressed all three focus areas and accelerated reading and math outcomes. An impact study showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the proportion of students who exceeded or met district benchmarks before and after the SEL program for Star Reading (+13%; p<.001) and Star Math (+ 7%; p=.03).   

The program also: 

  1. Built teacher capacity: Thanks to bite-sized, flexible professional development, teachers became significantly more confident in supporting students’ SEL competencies, including self-efficacy (+11%; p<.10), sense of belonging (+10%; p<.10), and sense of safety (+11%; p=.08). 
  2. Improved students’ behavior and SEL skills: By embedding SEL into the curriculum, students became better equipped to manage their emotions and developed key skills to support their learning. Students had significantly better self-efficacy (+12%; p<.10) and self-management (+7%; p=.08) after the program.
  3. Strengthened relationships with families: Meadows successfully strengthened  relationships between students, teachers, and families. The SEL program significantly improved teacher-family relationships (+13%; p<.01) and school climate (+7%; p=.03).

“The results of our work with PowerMyLearning far exceeded our expectations,” said Meadows Principal Magdalena Moore. “We received workshops on trauma-based practices, transforming discipline into learning opportunities, and mindfulness. These topics were right in line with what we needed to come back from a year of distance learning in a way that got kids connected again. As the study shows, rebuilding our community created a climate in which our students felt empowered to achieve academically.”

“We’re excited to see these outcomes, given the enormous need for learning recovery and SEL support across the country,” said PowerMyLearning CEO and Co-Founder Elisabeth Stock.  “Our program helped teachers incorporate SEL into their instruction so that it didn’t feel like ‘one more thing,’ and so students’ SEL gains could directly benefit their learning recovery. We congratulate the Meadows community on their success.”

Funding for the implementation of PowerMyLearning’s SEL program in Meadows was provided by the Lowenstein Foundation. Access the full case study to learn more. 

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About PowerMyLearning

PowerMyLearning is a national education nonprofit that unlocks the power of collaboration between families, educators, and students to advance educational equity and accelerate social emotional learning and academic achievement. The organization’s “Triangle of Learning Relationships” approach focuses on activating the exponential power that occurs when the trio of students, teachers, and families collaborate on the same learning goals, turning mediocre results into stellar outcomes in all school communities. Through meaningful, evidence-based programs, PowerMyLearning enables K-12 communities to thrive. To learn more, visit PowerMyLearning.org.

 

Media contact:

Stacey Dillon, PRP Group

Stacey@prp.group 

(480) 225-4809

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Reading Horizons Launches Free Online Community to Support the Science of Reading https://www.theedadvocate.org/reading-horizons-launches-free-online-community-to-support-the-science-of-reading/ Mon, 21 Nov 2022 21:04:42 +0000 https://www.theedadvocate.org/?p=50456 The Science of Reading Collective features resources, experts, and peer collaboration to help teachers deliver the most effective foundational literacy instruction possible (KAYSVILLE, UT) November 21, 2022—Reading Horizons, a company committed to partnering with educators to eradicate illiteracy, has launched the Science of Reading Collective, a free, online community designed to help teachers confidently and effectively implement the science of reading. The science of reading identifies the most useful techniques for teaching and learning to read, but adopting a new approach can feel overwhelming, no matter how beneficial it will be for students. To support educators with any level of […]

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The Science of Reading Collective features resources, experts, and peer collaboration to help teachers deliver the most effective foundational literacy instruction possible

(KAYSVILLE, UT) November 21, 2022—Reading Horizons, a company committed to partnering with educators to eradicate illiteracy, has launched the Science of Reading Collective, a free, online community designed to help teachers confidently and effectively implement the science of reading.

The science of reading identifies the most useful techniques for teaching and learning to read, but adopting a new approach can feel overwhelming, no matter how beneficial it will be for students. To support educators with any level of experience and an interest in teaching reading regardless of grade, the Science of Reading Collective is offering free access to:

  • Bite-sized practical lessons and professional learning events;
  • Monthly Q&A sessions with experts in the science of reading; and
  • An always-open forum for discussion with peers.

“Our mission is to empower educators to eradicate literacy,” said Tyson Smith, the CEO of Reading Horizons. “That’s why we’re offering free access to the Science of Reading Collective to all educators, whether they invest in our products or not. The science of reading comprises the most powerful tools for teaching students to read, and we believe that teachers deserve every advantage available to face the challenges of illiteracy.”

To help educators become familiar with the collective and hit the ground running, Reading Horizons will host a free webinar on edWeb.net on November 21, 2022. The introductory webinar will take place from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM EST and will feature a tour of free resources, online communities, and experts. 

Educators can visit readinghorizons.com to join the Science of Reading Collective and register to attend the webinar or watch the recording at edWeb.net

About Reading Horizons

Reading Horizons empowers educators to eradicate illiteracy because they believe literacy is opportunity. For nearly 40 years, the Reading Horizons simplified method has aligned with the evolution of the science of reading and evidence-based teaching strategies that prevent and remediate reading difficulties. Reading Horizons shows up as a supportive partner working shoulder-to-shoulder with educators to fight illiteracy, backed by their supportive partner guarantee. They have supported more than 50,000 educators to help every student, regardless of their learning differences. Reading momentum begins with Reading Horizons. For more information, please visit ReadingHorizons.com.

Contact:
Jacob Hanson
PRP Group
jacob@prp.group

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BookNook Named ‘High-Quality Tutoring Program’ by Ohio Department of Education https://www.theedadvocate.org/booknook-named-high-quality-tutoring-program-by-ohio-department-of-education/ Thu, 17 Nov 2022 14:44:31 +0000 https://www.theedadvocate.org/?p=50431 The designation recognizes BookNook’s potential to accelerate learning for students (OAKLAND, Calif.) November 17, 2022—BookNook, a leader in effective high-impact tutoring, has been named by the Ohio Department of Education as an approved provider of high quality tutoring programs.  Following the passage of Ohio House Bill 583, the legislature tasked the Ohio Department of Education to create a list of tutoring programs considered to be both high-quality and have the potential to accelerate learning for students. Further, the Ohio Department of Education aligned the selection criteria with their six “Key Components of High-Quality Tutoring” and include: Use of high-quality instructional […]

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The designation recognizes BookNook’s potential to accelerate learning for students

(OAKLAND, Calif.) November 17, 2022—BookNook, a leader in effective high-impact tutoring, has been named by the Ohio Department of Education as an approved provider of high quality tutoring programs

Following the passage of Ohio House Bill 583, the legislature tasked the Ohio Department of Education to create a list of tutoring programs considered to be both high-quality and have the potential to accelerate learning for students. Further, the Ohio Department of Education aligned the selection criteria with their six “Key Components of High-Quality Tutoring” and include:

  • Use of high-quality instructional materials;
  • Instruction aligned with research on effective teaching and learning;
  • Integration of high-dosage tutoring practices;
  • Use of data-driven instruction;
  • Hiring quality tutors; and
  • Demonstrated effectiveness.

The move is part of the Future Forward Ohio Initiative, which was launched to determine how best to spend federal funds to help students recover from the effects of COVID-19 and associate learning disruptions. Ohio school districts received more than $6.6 billion in COVID relief funds that can be spent on tutoring or other learning resources, with approximately $4 billion unspent.

Defined as at least 3 hours a week or 56 hours in 30 weeks, research has demonstrated that high-dosage tutoring is capable of helping a wide range of students, including those who have fallen behind academically, make significant learning gains.

“Every student deserves the opportunity to excel and personal, student-focused tutoring gives them that opportunity no matter what challenges they have faced in the past,” said Michael Lombardo, CEO and founder of BookNook. “We’re honored to be recognized by the Ohio Department of Education as a provider of high-quality tutoring, and we look forward to digging in and helping students get back on track no matter where they’re starting from.”

This announcement by the Ohio Department of Education further builds on BookNook’s existing state level partnerships or inclusion on statewide approved provider lists in Texas, Rhode Island, and Michigan.

To learn more about BookNook, visit booknook.com.

About BookNook

Founded in 2016, BookNook is an all-in-one tutoring solution, proven to increase student achievement through online tutors and engaging curriculum, fueled by our synchronous online learning platform. BookNook has quickly grown to partner with over 2,500 schools, across 38 states, receiving national recognition for its impact on students’ reading ability and unique equity-based pricing model. For more information, visit www.BookNook.com.

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VIPTeacher and MIND Research Institute Announce Partnership to Deliver Online High-Impact, Grade-level Tutoring https://www.theedadvocate.org/vipteacher-and-mind-research-institute-announce-partnership-to-deliver-online-high-impact-grade-level-tutoring/ Wed, 16 Nov 2022 15:49:58 +0000 https://www.theedadvocate.org/?p=50404 Irvine, Calif., Nov. 15, 2022 — VIPTeacher and MIND Research Institute have partnered to accelerate student learning through online high-impact, grade-level tutoring by state-certified teachers. ST Math powered by VIPTeacher will give students greater access to build and demonstrate a strong conceptual understanding of mathematical concepts through lessons that leverage ST Math visual instructional puzzles within the VIPTeacher online tutoring platform.  ST Math powered by VIPTeacher allows students to build foundational grade-level skills and improve self-beliefs in mathematics. The solution is flexible to fit school and district schedules with one-on-one or small-group tutoring sessions available during school, before- or after-school, […]

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Irvine, Calif., Nov. 15, 2022 — VIPTeacher and MIND Research Institute have partnered to accelerate student learning through online high-impact, grade-level tutoring by state-certified teachers. ST Math powered by VIPTeacher will give students greater access to build and demonstrate a strong conceptual understanding of mathematical concepts through lessons that leverage ST Math visual instructional puzzles within the VIPTeacher online tutoring platform. 

ST Math powered by VIPTeacher allows students to build foundational grade-level skills and improve self-beliefs in mathematics. The solution is flexible to fit school and district schedules with one-on-one or small-group tutoring sessions available during school, before- or after-school, or during summer school.

“Tutors through VIPTeacher are state-certified teachers with a proven track record of delivering engaging virtual lessons for young learners. The combination of MIND Research Institute’s premier product, ST Math, with VIPTeacher’s robust platform and 10 years experience in tutoring operations make this a perfect partnership to support students’ growth,” said Kevyn Klein, Head of VIPTeacher Operations. 

ST Math, created by MIND Research Institute, is a PreK-8 visual instructional program that leverages the brain’s innate spatial-temporal reasoning ability to solve mathematical problems. Rather than emphasizing missed skills for students who have been most impacted by interrupted instruction, ST Math removes the barriers that prevent them from accessing grade-level content.

“MIND is proud to partner with VIPTeacher to bring the power of ST Math to students with support from certified teachers,” said Brett Woudenberg, CEO of MIND. “As students develop conceptual understanding and growth mindsets to persevere in math, proficiency on standardized tests will increase along with their ability to apply mathematical concepts to real-world challenges.”

Learn more about this impactful partnership by visiting: stmath.com/tutoring-by-vipteacher

About VIPTeacher

VIPTeacher is the power behind the world’s tutoring needs. VIPTeacher is a teacher platform that partners with companies, non-profits, organizations, and schools alike to provide them with access to high-quality online teachers, tutoring operations, and an intuitive platform. From curriculum providers and ESL organizations around the world to districts navigating high-dosage tutoring in the US, VIPTeacher provides a flexible solution that can meet the needs of schools and students. The team has expertise in tutoring at scale having served over 1.3 million students globally over the past ten years. 

About MIND Research Institute

MIND Research Institute is a neuroscience and education social impact organization dedicated to ensuring that all students are mathematically equipped to solve the world’s most challenging problems. MIND is the creator of ST Math®, a PreK-8 visual instructional program that leverages the brain’s innate spatial-temporal reasoning ability to solve mathematical problems. ST Math’s unique, patented approach provides students with equitable access to learning through challenging puzzles, non-routine problem solving, and informative feedback. Visit mindresearch.org.

Contact:
Kelsey Skaggs
Communications Manager
MIND Research Institute
kskaggs@mindresearch.org
949-345-8722

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