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.

TouchMath Introduces Innovative Solutions to Increase Math Accessibility and Dyscalculia Advocacy, Empowering Students and Teachers

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo./PRNewswire-PRWeb/ —  TouchMath, a multisensory math program that makes learning crucial mathematical concepts accessible and clear for students who struggle to understand grade-level content, announces the launch of  TouchMath Extend and  Dyscalculia Extension. These groundbreaking solutions aim to bridge mathematical gaps and advance dyscalculia advocacy. Coinciding with two significant milestones, International Dyscalculia Day (March 3rd) and the 50th anniversary of the term  ‘Developmental Dyscalculia,’ coined in March 1974, TouchMath reaffirms its commitment to providing essential resources and support to students experiencing mathematical barriers.

“Considering TouchMath’s unwavering commitment to educational equity over nearly five decades, the launch of TouchMath Extend and Dyscalculia Extension signifies a pivotal moment in our mission,” stated Dr. Sandra Elliott, Chief Academic Officer at TouchMath. “Recognizing that approximately 75% of students with dyscalculia also experience dyslexia, it’s clear that both conditions warrant equal recognition and support. Through these innovative solutions, we aim to not only raise awareness but also provide concrete assistance, empowering students to overcome mathematical challenges. As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Ladislav Kosc’s pioneering work, it’s time to dispel misconceptions, deepen understanding, and champion inclusive education where every learner, regardless of their challenges, can thrive.”

Dyscalculia, estimated to  affect 3-7% of the population, is a learning disability with profound impacts on academic performance and daily life. Challenges include struggles with basic math operations and understanding mathematical concepts. However, only about  15% of students have been screened for dyscalculia, while  40% of math teachers report students performing below grade level. Unlike dyslexia, dyscalculia lacks systematic tracking in the U.S. despite the  urgent need for skilled STEM professionals. While more than 45 U.S. states have enacted dyslexia-related legislation, fewer than ten states have passed laws addressing math intervention and instruction since 2021.…Read More

Digital equity means more than access

John Calvello represents TPR Education, including The Princeton Review and tutor.com. They aim to highlight their services for all students and districts, emphasizing equity and support structures. John discusses the evolution of remote tutoring, especially its impact on underserved communities. He also addresses the changing landscape of test preparation, focusing on digital SAT and training teachers. Additionally, John outlines two key focuses for the event: high-dosage tutoring and integrating AI into their services for faster and more insightful support.

Conversation highlights:

  • Equity and Support: TPR Education emphasizes providing support structures for all students and districts, highlighting their services’ accessibility and effectiveness, particularly for underserved communities.
  • Evolution of Remote Tutoring: The transcript illustrates how remote tutoring has evolved, especially during the pandemic, becoming more accepted and beneficial for students, particularly those in underserved areas.
  • Changing Landscape of Test Preparation: With the introduction of digital SATs and shifting educational priorities, there’s a focus on training teachers and providing effective test preparation services to adapt to these changes.
  • Focus on High-Dosage Tutoring and AI Integration: TPR Education is prioritizing high-dosage tutoring programs tailored to specific student needs and integrating AI into their services to provide faster and more insightful support, aiming to enhance student learning outcomes and streamline processes for educators and parents.

Below is a machine-generated transcript of the conversation…Read More

Summarized transcription versus real-time captioning: What’s best?

Key points:

In recent years, the education sector has rapidly adopted captioning, driven not only by its positive impact on comprehension and inclusive learning but also by the necessity of adhering to accessibility standards and providing accommodations for diverse learning styles.

While K-12 schools and higher-ed institutions have spent considerable effort adhering to accessibility standards (and should be applauded for that effort), one in four lawsuits in education center around accessibility. Thus, the focus on captioning–a requirement in K-12 and higher education–has intensified.…Read More

5 of the biggest education trends in 2024

Key points:

As we usher in the new year, educators and industry leaders are eagerly anticipating the top education trends for 2024. The education industry has witnessed a rapid evolution in recent years, marked by new ideas and emerging technologies. In 2024, this momentum will continue, bringing forth new edtech, innovative teaching approaches, and inspiring learning spaces.

This year, schools are directing their energy towards supporting teacher well-being and reengaging students through innovative learning spaces and edtech. Consequently, we will see a shift in how edtech enhances learning and how schools support teachers, as well as a renewed focus on accessibility, social emotional learning, and individualized approaches to learning that improve student outcomes.…Read More

How Do You Use Technology to Improve Your Learning?

Key points:

In the modern educational landscape, leveraging technology is key to enhancing learning experiences. From interactive platforms to digital resources, incorporating technology optimizes accessibility, personalization, and engagement. New educational models delve into diverse ways individuals can use technology to bolster their learning in the digital age, fostering a dynamic and effective educational journey.

In the contemporary educational landscape, harnessing technology is pivotal to revolutionizing K-12 student learning. Integrating technology enhances engagement, personalization, and skill development.…Read More

Learning in the Digital Age

Key points:

  • Digital tools are powering a new era of K-12 learning
  • Still, challenges remain–among them, equity and access
  • Stay up to date on the latest trends about learning in the digital age

In today’s digital age, learning has gone through a profound transformation, reshaping traditional educational models. Technology’s omnipresence has brought forth a new era of accessibility, democratizing knowledge across geographic and socioeconomic boundaries.

As learning in the digital age progresses, online platforms, interactive simulations, and virtual classrooms have become essential tools, promoting and supporting self-directed and personalized learning experiences. The digital availability of information has accelerated the pace of knowledge sharing, enabling instant access to a vast repository of resources. Collaboration is not confined by physical barriers–global learning communities connect and share insights in real-time. Adaptive learning technologies cater to individual needs, optimizing educational paths for diverse learners.…Read More

3 things to consider when designing digital learning experiences

Editor’s note: This story on digital learning originally appeared on CoSN’s blog and is reposted here with permission.

Key points:

Teachers, principals, and district administrators are creating digital content every day for a variety of audiences. From classroom lessons and professional learning resources, to staff guides and announcement graphics, more and more information is being delivered in a visual way. Research shows that we process information presented in visual form more quickly than that presented in writing. However, if digital content is created without consideration of accessibility, visual processing, and basic design principles, the message we are trying to communicate can get lost, or worse, misinterpreted. …Read More

How to work for equity of access in classrooms

Key points:

Ensuring equity of access in the K-12 classroom is crucial for providing all students with a fair and inclusive education. Educational disparities can exacerbate existing inequalities, and it’s essential that school leaders and teachers address these issues to promote a level playing field.

Here are five key strategies to ensure equity of access:…Read More

AI and connectivity: Pillars of the new education revolution

Key points:

The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and its availability to the public implies a cross-cutting revolution in all areas of human activity. Like the surface of the internet, this event is profoundly transforming the way we think about creative and problem-solving processes in all industries. No other field will be more impacted in the medium and long term than education.

The application of technologies to improve the educational process, enhance the capabilities of students, and reduce inequality gaps was one of the great promises of the beginning of the XXI century worldwide.…Read More

The Impact of Technology on Education

Key points:

Technology’s impact on K-12 education has been transformative, ushering in a new era of learning characterized by enhanced accessibility, engagement, and personalized instruction.

In recent years, K-12 tech innovation news has made it clear that educational technology has become an integral part of classrooms, influencing teaching methodologies, student interactions, and the overall educational landscape. From interactive digital resources to online learning platforms, technology has given educators innovative tools to create dynamic and inclusive learning environments. Students, in turn, have benefited from increased access to information, personalized learning experiences, and opportunities for collaboration.…Read More

SMART Technologies Unveils the New Performance SMART Board® RX Series, Empowering Teachers and Students with Advanced Features to Enhance Inclusion

CALGARY, AB – SMART Technologies is proud to announce the launch of the company’s latest innovation for education: the SMART Board® RX series. This revolutionary display is designed with accessibility in mind and provides teachers with the tools they need to make learning more engaging for students, while saving precious time for teachers, too. This performance display comes with optically bonded glass and a multi-color stylus for an effortless inking experience, as well as leading student device integration, putting it in a category of its own.  

At the heart of the SMART Board RX series are the features and functionality, purposefully designed to help make classroom time higher quality time and engage all students in inclusive and accessible learning experiences. Most notably, the RX series comes with SMART’s exclusive Tool Explorer® technology that enables all students – including those with diverse learning needs – to actively engage with content and easily communicate with their peers and teachers.  

Tool Explorer digitally recognizes blocks that come in pre-programmed sets with images such as emojis that can help enable social and emotional learning. The blocks are also programmable, giving teachers or students the ability to program any image onto a block.  Tool Explorer provides a unique way for students to communicate and participate – including those students who are non-verbal, those who struggle to hold a pen or to write, and those who require or simply prefer different methods of communication. Tool Explorer is only available with the SMART Board RX series.  …Read More

Reaching data readiness: 10 steps to take

In today’s data-driven era, schools and districts must embrace data interoperability. Taking steps to unified K-12 data may seem overwhelming at first, but it’s OK–we’ll guide you through the process in this eSchool News webinar.

In this webinar, you’ll learn how to:

  • Identify and consolidate data sources for unified K-12 data.
  • Implement measures to break down data silos and improve accessibility.
  • Follow the 10-step program for achieving data readiness.

Watch now to leverage the potential of unified K-12 data and make a positive impact on your school or district’s educational outcomes. …Read More