Podcast Series: Innovations in Education

Explore the full series of eSchool News podcasts hosted by Kevin Hogan—created to keep you on the cutting edge of innovations in education.

5 ways to keep schools safer with innovative visitor management

Key points:

One crucial aspect of school safety is monitoring who comes on and off campus, including visitors. Visitor management can be tricky, because school campuses tend to have various points of access. In recent years, schools have put in the effort to advance all safety measures within schools, including visitor management. In fact, recent research by Pew Research Center found that 98 percent of schools require visitors to check in and wear a badge. 

Schools can emphasize their protection of students and staff by requiring visitors to wear a visitor-specific safety badge that can monitor their location while on campus. Opposed to staff safety badges, which only provide location information once an alert is initiated to maintain staff privacy, the visitor badge will monitor the visitor’s location in real-time while on school grounds.…Read More

Barberton High School Entrusts Metrasens Advanced Detection Technology to Strengthen Security Measures

NAPERVILLE, Illinois and BARBERTON, Ohio (PRNewswire-PRWeb) —  Metrasens, a leading provider of advanced detection systems for security and safety applications, is pleased to announce its partnership with Barberton High School (BHS), the primary high school within the Barberton City School District. BHS selected Metrasens as part of its proactive approach to fortify campus security measures and uphold a safe learning environment.

With recent incidents of bomb threats targeting schools across the United States, concerns about safety in educational institutions have heightened. Recognizing the evolving challenges in maintaining a secure environment, Henry Muren, Principal of Barberton High School, emphasized the need for increased security measures. In response, BHS took proactive steps partnering with Metrasens to enhance existing security protocols and identify potential threats.

“While no bomb threats were directed at BHS during recent incidents, the administration acknowledges the rising threat and the necessity to stay ahead of potential risks,” stated Henry Muren, Principal of Barberton High School. “We are not living in the world of comfort and security, as we once did.”…Read More

Virtual field trips are an essential part of climate curriculum

Key points:

Climate change is an increasingly important subject in school curriculums. Today’s students will almost certainly inherit a climate-affected world and will need to understand the mechanisms of global warming if they are to grow into climate-conscious, civic-minded members of society.

However, many students are dissuaded from pursuing environmental science due to mundane textbooks and complex diagrams. This is a serious issue, as students will need an in-depth understanding of greenhouse gases and ecological damage in the future.…Read More

Metrasens’ Advanced Detection Technology Chosen by Moore Public Schools for Enhanced Safety at Extracurricular Events

NAPERVILLE, Illiois and MOORE, Oklahoma (PRNewswire-PRWeb) —  Metrasens, a leading provider of advanced detection systems for security and safety applications, today announced its collaboration with Moore Public Schools (MPS), Oklahoma’s fourth-largest public school district. Together, they aim to bolster safety measures across the district by deploying Metrasens Ultra detection systems, ensuring a secure environment for extracurricular events at 35 campus sites and various large venues.

Committed to maintaining the highest safety and security standards, MPS consistently evaluates and updates its protocols. The district, known for its proactive approach, embraces new initiatives and technologies to enhance existing security measures. Building on a successful pilot of Metrasens Ultra detectors in the previous academic year, MPS officially integrated them at the start of the 2023-2024 school year.

In alignment with their ongoing commitment to safety, several schools within the district have already incorporated Metrasens detection systems. The decision to choose Metrasens was influenced by the unmatched reliability and durability of its detectors, which seamlessly align with the district’s overarching safety goals, whether implemented district-wide or at individual campuses.…Read More

Lightspeed Launches Networked Instructional Audio Platform, Cascadia, Enabling Teacher-Centric Communication for School Success and Safety

TUALATIN, Ore./PRNewswire-PRWeb/ —  Lightspeed, the leading provider of instructional audio solutions that create equal access to learning, announces the launch of Cascadia. Cascadia, a networked instructional audio platform, effortlessly projects the teacher’s voice within the classroom while also empowering teachers to call for help and communicate outside of the classroom directly from their lanyard microphone.

Cascadia delivers all the benefits of instructional audio and integrates with existing life-safety and building communication systems, providing the ability to initiate mobile, silent emergency alerts and make two-way calls to the office from anywhere in the building.

“The need for teachers to communicate with resources outside of the classroom continues to grow, whether in an emergency or simply when help is needed,” said Shaun Fagan, Senior Vice President of Product and Lightspeed. “With Cascadia, schools can now meet this need by providing teachers with a communication tool that offers mobility, simplicity, and immediacy.”…Read More

5 critical ingredients in a school safety plan

Key points:

Teacher training programs often introduce aspiring educators to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, an eight-decade-old principle that reminds teachers that learning is significantly more difficult when other needs are not accounted for.

Physiological needs such as air, water, and food are most important; however, safety, including personal security, follows closely as a foundational requirement. After years of devastating and heart-breaking incidents of school violence, school safety sentiment has plummeted.…Read More

Prioritizing student safety with enhanced first responder and cellular communication coverage

Key points:

For any school, keeping students, faculty, and staff safe is a top priority. Many school leaders will therefore be shocked to learn that 52 percent of U.S. schools include areas that fail to meet current building code requirements for minimum indoor radio signal strength for police and fire department communications.

The implications are clear. In an emergency, when timely and effective communications are vital, first responders may have trouble connecting via their smartphones, hand-held radios, or other devices. This can adversely affect their ability to respond to an emergency and, in worst-case scenarios, put lives at risk.…Read More

Big Deals—Khan Academy Boosts National Civics Bee, AI Tackles Campus Safety, and Stanford Offers Online Math

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation this month announced the launch of the 2024 National Civics Bee. The competition is expanding to 27 states for the 2023-2024 school year, tripling its reach from nine states last year. Students may apply for the competition here. The deadline to enter is January 8, 2024.

The National Civics Bee is a nationwide competition that encourages young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Middle school students in grades 6-8 flex their civics knowledge for a chance to win recognition and cash prizes. Chambers of commerce across 27 states will host in-person contests in their communities this school year. Top performing students will advance through local and state rounds, culminating in a national competition held in Washington D.C.

This remarkable expansion reflects the deepening civics education crisis in America and has been made possible by significant multi-year grants from supporters like the Daniels Fund. Recent studies have shown alarming gaps in Americans’ understanding of our democratic processes and systems. More than one third of U.S. adults cannot name the three branches of government. The National Civics Bee taps into business leaders’ deep commitment to strengthening civics education and the long-term health of our democracy.…Read More

Ello, World’s Most Advanced AI Reading Coach Recognized by Common Sense Media as Top AI Tool

SAN FRANCISCO (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ello, developer of the world’s most advanced AI reading coach, announced today that Common Sense Media rated the Ello app as one of its top 10 AI products for ethical use, transparency, safety and impact.

Ello received an overall ranking of 4 out of 5 and 5 out of 5 for privacy and kids’ safety in Common Sense Media’s first-ever AI-ratings system. Common Sense Media recognized Ello as a company that displayed Responsible AI practices, especially its machine learning fairness that contributed to the app’s high rating. Ello was also recognized for the unique design of its AI reading tutor, the selection of diverse and engaging books that it offers, and the positive ways the AI tutor motivates young, struggling readers. Ello’s detailed Participatory Disclosures provided a strong basis for its positive evaluation against the “ Common Sense AI Principles,” the AI ratings system, developed with input from a range of AI experts. To read more about Common Sense’s AI rating and review of Ello, please visit https://www.commonsensemedia.org/ai-ratings/ello.

“Ello worked directly with parents, children and educators to build our AI reading tutor to ensure the experience is educational and safe while also addressing diversity and representation in children’s reading,” said Dr. Elizabeth Adams, co-founder and Chief Experience Officer of Ello. “Nearly 70% of American children read behind grade level, and the latest AI technology can help address this issue by providing 1:1 reading support while still putting privacy and safety of kids first. We are honored that Common Sense Media recognized Ello as a responsible AI application.”…Read More