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How Have Educators Adapted Distance Learning for Special Education Students?

CHRIS HAYHURST | May 3, 2021 | 35 views

Special education instructors, like everyone else, turned to an array of digital tools and technologies to continue teaching in the wake of the pandemic. And while most would agree the shift to online learning came with serious challenges, many also found solutions that worked.

“This last year was a struggle — I won’t tell you it was not,” says Wendy Thompson, a special education teacher at New Jersey’s A. Harry Moore School. “That being said, we have seen success, and there are things out there that can help.”

Thompson, who is also president of the New Jersey Coalition for the Advancement of Assistive and Rehabilitation Technology, says the key is to ensure the tools educators use can be adapted to fit the needs of individual students. “It’s important to approach students where they are and provide them with options for how they can respond and show what they know and what they are learning.”

Spotlight

Education Pioneers

Education Pioneers recruits, develops and connects diverse, talented professionals – including graduate students – to work for K-12 school districts, charter schools, and other education organizations. Our Pioneers work on issues related to student data analysis, external relations, operations, human resources, strategy and more. They solve problems outside of the classroom so students and teachers can succeed inside the classroom.

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EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY,CONTINUING EDUCATION

Online Schooling: What Is It and How Does It Work?

Article | August 8, 2022

In the past couple of years, online schooling has proved its advantages for students in a number of ways. Experts have already highlighted its prospects in the years to come. As India’s online education market is expected to grow to USD 1.96 billion at a CAGR of 52% (over the next five years), online schooling can extend better educational opportunities for all – students, teachers, and parents. Let’s understand the structure and functionality of this schooling choice to help you understand how it works! WHAT IS ONLINE SCHOOLING? An online schooling platform allows students to study through the internet. Students make use of home computers and access the study material through an online portal. Just like a traditional school, an online school must have a trained teaching staff, specialized in teaching online. These teachers conduct online classes and supervise the student’s performance. The digital schooling option is highly flexible and convenient for the students as it allows the handholding of educators through online classes (synchronous learning) while simultaneously allowing self-paced independent study duration (asynchronous learning).

Read More
EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY

The Art and Science of Balancing Screen Time for Online Learners

Article | July 15, 2022

In 2021, Class, a virtual classroom app that combines with Zoom, neared unicorn status after receiving funding from SoftBank Vision Fund II. But, with just 10 months and a string of top edtech U.S. investors to back it up, the app’s spectacular rise only speaks to the boom in online education in the past two years. Online learning has changed. It went from centering around accessibility to becoming the primary delivery method almost overnight. So when it comes to screen time, this newest addition to our already screen-filled lives is uninvited. Especially for children, it only meant that screen time was highly monitored during lockdown. And that change came with struggles. Between configuring the technicalities of accessing online classrooms and figuring out how to engage students, teachers have faced an uphill battle all along. There is plenty of research to suggest that too much screen time has negative health implications, but education has to continue at all costs. 2021 was full of stories of students finding creative ways of avoiding classes or not attending them. One 8-year-old found a loophole in Zoom’s app last year that locked her out of her Zoom class. Even Zoom’s technical team failed to find the issue. It led to a goose chase into discovering that the child was locking herself out by inputting the wrong password over 20 times. Screen Time Vs Screen-Tied Screen time has five types: television, video games, social media, music, and reading. The key is not just to regulate screen time but also the content that is being consumed. Technology may have evolved, but our ability to use it for long durations and to conduct sensory tasks like learning over the internet hasn’t. Between education, video-games, social media and TV, distribution meant calibrating what type of content should be consumed in order to reduce the negative impact. Approximately 75% of all teenagers own a smartphone today. In addition, a majority of young adults report video games as their go-to activity in their free time. While research on the use of video games may be inconclusive, prolonged exposure is nevertheless known to rewire developing brains. There’s also a high risk to susceptible minds with regards to unfiltered and harmful messages from social media, which is a massive source of increased screen time for children and teenagers. All these issues call for a meaningful control of screen time. But in a sea of endless information and uninterrupted content, how do you identify the right balance? Culling Unnecessary Content For educators, the aim is clear: to balance screen time so precariously that children do not lose their will to learn or play. Parents and educational institutions must identify the following objectives through the content they are letting their families consume: Developing digital skills to prepare children for higher education and digital careers Raising digital citizens that use online mediums to contribute to their communities Exposing learners to new ideas and concepts in a safe context Acquiring creative skills, interpersonal expression, and etiquette for engagement online There is no dearth of educational content online, but it is important to achieve a balance between the educational and the entertainment consumption of learners. On occasion, both can be combined through interactive shows and programs that do not expose learners to addictive behaviors. Designating screen-free times, activities, and even locations like meals, traveling, or bedrooms can help learners build a habit of controlling their screen time. To Wrap It Up There is no doubt that the pandemic provided online learning with a much-needed shot in the arm. This also means that screen time has exponentially increased. Thanks to both virtual schools and a complete lockdown on going outside, young learners were left with no option but to turn to their screens. Whether to connect to their peers, attend classes, or spend their free time, learners are faced with a barrage of screen time that can affect their ability to navigate a post-pandemic world. Parents and educators must take it upon themselves to lay down the guidelines that drive the harmonious use of electronics without encouraging total dependence on them.

Read More
EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY

3 Inclusive Classroom Strategies to Use for Higher Student Enrollment

Article | June 15, 2022

In 2021, the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center reported that student enrollments were at an all-time low. Community college enrollment dipped by 11% while post-secondary enrollment saw a dip of 4.2% year-on-year. The impact of the last two years’ events clearly demonstrates the strain faced by all levels of educational institutions. The shift to the virtual classroom setup also saw parents and students recognize the importance of teaching and learning online. The significance of a virtual classroom is emphasized more than ever. It has forced schools to improve their online teaching infrastructure so that they can keep growing. But this has also affected inclusivity. According to UNESCO, school closures during the pandemic affected 1.2 billion children in 186 countries. In this article, we discuss why virtual learning is in dire need of inclusivity and inclusive learning practices. Why Does Inclusive Learning Matter in the Era of Zoom Classes? Edtech is a booming industry. In 2019, edtech investments reached a whopping US $18 billion. Further, the online education market is estimated to cross the $350 billion mark by 2025. There is no doubt that learning institutions are investing heavily in online learning. But inclusivity is still lagging far behind. The OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) found that 25% of secondary school-aged students from underprivileged backgrounds lack a computer. The writing on the wall is clear. Virtual learning is bound to widen the divide, and its impact will be felt most by underprivileged students. For educational institutions, delivering a positively inclusive learning experience online is essential to attracting students who do have access to educational technology. “In the higher education space, most schools were, and still are, predominantly focused on that in-person campus visit to do all those same things, but it’s expensive and it means only students and parents who travel to campus can get that real-life feel and experience.” - Matthew Pellish, Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at CampusReel Bringing Personalization to the Virtual Classroom Although virtual learning has stripped away the human touch that accompanies a classroom setting, there are ways to make it more engaging and meaningful. Engage students even before the class starts. This can be done by setting an agenda for the session beforehand and asking students to send in their queries and expectations from the session. Turning the greeting into a short discussion is a great way to engage everyone right off the bat. Tools like Zoom make it simpler to personalize every class with features like backgrounds and notes. Use the chat feature generously. Teaching and learning online has to be a one-sided flow of information for it to be effective. However, the chat feature empowers teachers to break the monotony. The best way to keep students attentive is through personalization. Attentiveness can be achieved by asking many questions, even if they are simply yes-or-no questions. It enables teachers to keep a check on engagement and pivot when needed. Simulating a Sense of Community A discussion on an inclusive learning environment is incomplete without mentioning student community building. Online teaching and learning is limited in its ability to provide a sense of community. Since students are physically separated from their peers, one-on-one connections are lacking. Despite the distance, there are a few solutions you can use to reduce the distance virtually. Identify the type of community you want to develop. Whether you’re offering synchronous or asynchronous courses, it is crucial to keep the student-peer-instructor link active. Create a loop of feedback between teachers and students to enable community building. Modern tools offer a number of ways to seek feedback that provides insight on teaching style and the general classroom environment. Create a classroom forum online. Forums offer the best of two-way interactions with a platform outside of the online class. This ensures constancy and inclusive learning even after the class is over. For those who weren’t able to attend due to technical difficulties or poor connectivity, they never lose track of what’s going on. Cultivating Two-Way Interaction Two-way interactions are an integral part of engaging learning experiences. Inclusive classroom activities online may not completely replace them, but much can be done to build a more involved form of communication. One way to design such activities is to use the Kanevsky and Keighly framework to engage students with the five Cs: choice, challenge, control, complexity, and care. Use screen sharing and remote access tools. Physical classrooms offer avenues for students to present to their peers. In a virtual classroom setting, this can be achieved with screen sharing. Empower students to retain better by making them present their perspective and understanding of different concepts. This gives other students the impetus to do the same. Initiate group discussions through your course management system. Inviting students to design the resources and collaborate on group projects will jumpstart in-depth discussions. Many course management systems allow students to share their notes with each other. This creates inclusive learning environment. Finally: Why Will the Online University Experience Will Attract More Students Although learning institutions are beginning to open up for the in-person learning experience, the effectiveness of a virtual classroom is undeniable. Like remote working, remote learning is gaining ground, and inclusive online teaching is inevitably important. A Cengage survey revealed that 68% of students prefer hybrid learning: a combination of online and offline course delivery. In addition, the Department of Education’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) found that the number of students who enrolled in online-only programs rose from 3.5 million during the fall to 5.8 million. Fostering meaningful, hands-on learning similar to that in a classroom is difficult. Even though student enrollment in online courses is rising, learning institutions are facing the challenge of delivering a highly engaging learning experience. But with an understanding of the learning outcome and the right tools, institutions can develop robust, inclusive classroom activities that every student will want to benefit from. Frequently Asked Questions Do students and teachers prefer online teaching and learning? According to a recent survey by Cengage, about 73% of students prefer some courses to be delivered fully online. In addition, 57% of teachers said they prefer teaching hybrid courses over online-only courses. Is online teaching and learning a growing trend? Yes. Online learning platform Coursera experienced a huge spike in enrollments. In 2021, enrollment increased by 32% and peaked at 189 million. What are the principles of inclusive education? The principles of inclusive education are: Togetherness Participation Acceptance Equality

Read More
EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY

Remote Working is Shaping the Future of Schooling

Article | May 11, 2022

For so long, we have deeply embedded technology in our everyday lives. Working and learning from home complement each other, creating an ecosystem of solutions. Even as organizations continue to lean towards remote offices and hybrid working, the same may not be possible with learning. Businesses worldwide have blazed the trail for remote working. The past two years have seen both, formal education, and work taking a big virtual leap. While virtual learning has been around for some time, we have thrust it into the mainstream only because of the events following the pandemic. Remote work is no longer a trend or the domain of freelancers and tech workers. While organizations learned to maintain their productivity even as their workforce was scattered, schools and learning centers weren’t far behind. Schools could shift learning online using the principles and technology businesses were using to stay productive. Working and Learning from Home, Together Zoom classrooms are no match for the physical learning environment provided by a school.Although online education existed as a part-time alternative, traditional schooling has always been a holistic, on-premise experience. Virtual schooling cannot be dismissed, as proven by the last two years. It is especially significant in today’s remote work era and as a precursor to it. While there were mixed feelings about accepting the new normal, families enjoyed several benefits including lowered education costs, zero travel time, children’s safety, and a newfound work-life balance. Virtual schooling has become the norm. It worked only because parents could also stay back and help create a learning environment at home while they worked. They have now become integral to their kids’ learning and growth. “In the higher education space, most schools were, and still are, predominantly focused on that in-person campus visit to do all those same things, but it’s expensive and it means only students and parents who travel to campus can get that real-life feel and experience.” - Matthew Pellish, Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at CampusReel Cultivating the Workforce of the Future Virtual learning will provide children with the bandwidth they need to become competent in a world where remote working is the standard. They will have already conquered the learning curve. Remote learning will equip learners with the technical understanding, attitude, and collaborative spirit needed to excel in a technology-driven world. In addition, it will prepare them not just for hybrid workplaces but for a hybrid life that promotes work-life balance. Just as remote work enables easy access to talent worldwide, remote learning will help students access elusive academic programs and high-quality education in a flexible setting. Final Word The future has been transformed forever, and virtual schooling is gaining traction. It also looks set to follow the footsteps of remote working, a concept that is now solidifying in the form of hybrid workplace policies. Higher education institutes are realizing the advantages of virtual learning. They are incorporating a remote angle into their course delivery to make it faster, efficient, and more accessible. Will hybrid learning be the future of schooling? Looking at the course that online learning is set upon, it will.

Read More
EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY,CONTINUING EDUCATION

3 Ways K-12 Can Benefit from Classroom Management Software

Article | August 8, 2022

In the past couple of years, online schooling has proved its advantages for students in a number of ways. Experts have already highlighted its prospects in the years to come. As India’s online education market is expected to grow to USD 1.96 billion at a CAGR of 52% (over the next five years), online schooling can extend better educational opportunities for all – students, teachers, and parents. Let’s understand the structure and functionality of this schooling choice to help you understand how it works! WHAT IS ONLINE SCHOOLING? An online schooling platform allows students to study through the internet. Students make use of home computers and access the study material through an online portal. Just like a traditional school, an online school must have a trained teaching staff, specialized in teaching online. These teachers conduct online classes and supervise the student’s performance. The digital schooling option is highly flexible and convenient for the students as it allows the handholding of educators through online classes (synchronous learning) while simultaneously allowing self-paced independent study duration (asynchronous learning).

Read More
EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY

3 Pillars of SEL that Every Educator Must Embody

Article | July 15, 2022

In 2021, Class, a virtual classroom app that combines with Zoom, neared unicorn status after receiving funding from SoftBank Vision Fund II. But, with just 10 months and a string of top edtech U.S. investors to back it up, the app’s spectacular rise only speaks to the boom in online education in the past two years. Online learning has changed. It went from centering around accessibility to becoming the primary delivery method almost overnight. So when it comes to screen time, this newest addition to our already screen-filled lives is uninvited. Especially for children, it only meant that screen time was highly monitored during lockdown. And that change came with struggles. Between configuring the technicalities of accessing online classrooms and figuring out how to engage students, teachers have faced an uphill battle all along. There is plenty of research to suggest that too much screen time has negative health implications, but education has to continue at all costs. 2021 was full of stories of students finding creative ways of avoiding classes or not attending them. One 8-year-old found a loophole in Zoom’s app last year that locked her out of her Zoom class. Even Zoom’s technical team failed to find the issue. It led to a goose chase into discovering that the child was locking herself out by inputting the wrong password over 20 times. Screen Time Vs Screen-Tied Screen time has five types: television, video games, social media, music, and reading. The key is not just to regulate screen time but also the content that is being consumed. Technology may have evolved, but our ability to use it for long durations and to conduct sensory tasks like learning over the internet hasn’t. Between education, video-games, social media and TV, distribution meant calibrating what type of content should be consumed in order to reduce the negative impact. Approximately 75% of all teenagers own a smartphone today. In addition, a majority of young adults report video games as their go-to activity in their free time. While research on the use of video games may be inconclusive, prolonged exposure is nevertheless known to rewire developing brains. There’s also a high risk to susceptible minds with regards to unfiltered and harmful messages from social media, which is a massive source of increased screen time for children and teenagers. All these issues call for a meaningful control of screen time. But in a sea of endless information and uninterrupted content, how do you identify the right balance? Culling Unnecessary Content For educators, the aim is clear: to balance screen time so precariously that children do not lose their will to learn or play. Parents and educational institutions must identify the following objectives through the content they are letting their families consume: Developing digital skills to prepare children for higher education and digital careers Raising digital citizens that use online mediums to contribute to their communities Exposing learners to new ideas and concepts in a safe context Acquiring creative skills, interpersonal expression, and etiquette for engagement online There is no dearth of educational content online, but it is important to achieve a balance between the educational and the entertainment consumption of learners. On occasion, both can be combined through interactive shows and programs that do not expose learners to addictive behaviors. Designating screen-free times, activities, and even locations like meals, traveling, or bedrooms can help learners build a habit of controlling their screen time. To Wrap It Up There is no doubt that the pandemic provided online learning with a much-needed shot in the arm. This also means that screen time has exponentially increased. Thanks to both virtual schools and a complete lockdown on going outside, young learners were left with no option but to turn to their screens. Whether to connect to their peers, attend classes, or spend their free time, learners are faced with a barrage of screen time that can affect their ability to navigate a post-pandemic world. Parents and educators must take it upon themselves to lay down the guidelines that drive the harmonious use of electronics without encouraging total dependence on them.

Read More
EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY

Leveraging Cognitive Dissonance to Enhance Student Learning

Article | June 15, 2022

In 2021, the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center reported that student enrollments were at an all-time low. Community college enrollment dipped by 11% while post-secondary enrollment saw a dip of 4.2% year-on-year. The impact of the last two years’ events clearly demonstrates the strain faced by all levels of educational institutions. The shift to the virtual classroom setup also saw parents and students recognize the importance of teaching and learning online. The significance of a virtual classroom is emphasized more than ever. It has forced schools to improve their online teaching infrastructure so that they can keep growing. But this has also affected inclusivity. According to UNESCO, school closures during the pandemic affected 1.2 billion children in 186 countries. In this article, we discuss why virtual learning is in dire need of inclusivity and inclusive learning practices. Why Does Inclusive Learning Matter in the Era of Zoom Classes? Edtech is a booming industry. In 2019, edtech investments reached a whopping US $18 billion. Further, the online education market is estimated to cross the $350 billion mark by 2025. There is no doubt that learning institutions are investing heavily in online learning. But inclusivity is still lagging far behind. The OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) found that 25% of secondary school-aged students from underprivileged backgrounds lack a computer. The writing on the wall is clear. Virtual learning is bound to widen the divide, and its impact will be felt most by underprivileged students. For educational institutions, delivering a positively inclusive learning experience online is essential to attracting students who do have access to educational technology. “In the higher education space, most schools were, and still are, predominantly focused on that in-person campus visit to do all those same things, but it’s expensive and it means only students and parents who travel to campus can get that real-life feel and experience.” - Matthew Pellish, Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at CampusReel Bringing Personalization to the Virtual Classroom Although virtual learning has stripped away the human touch that accompanies a classroom setting, there are ways to make it more engaging and meaningful. Engage students even before the class starts. This can be done by setting an agenda for the session beforehand and asking students to send in their queries and expectations from the session. Turning the greeting into a short discussion is a great way to engage everyone right off the bat. Tools like Zoom make it simpler to personalize every class with features like backgrounds and notes. Use the chat feature generously. Teaching and learning online has to be a one-sided flow of information for it to be effective. However, the chat feature empowers teachers to break the monotony. The best way to keep students attentive is through personalization. Attentiveness can be achieved by asking many questions, even if they are simply yes-or-no questions. It enables teachers to keep a check on engagement and pivot when needed. Simulating a Sense of Community A discussion on an inclusive learning environment is incomplete without mentioning student community building. Online teaching and learning is limited in its ability to provide a sense of community. Since students are physically separated from their peers, one-on-one connections are lacking. Despite the distance, there are a few solutions you can use to reduce the distance virtually. Identify the type of community you want to develop. Whether you’re offering synchronous or asynchronous courses, it is crucial to keep the student-peer-instructor link active. Create a loop of feedback between teachers and students to enable community building. Modern tools offer a number of ways to seek feedback that provides insight on teaching style and the general classroom environment. Create a classroom forum online. Forums offer the best of two-way interactions with a platform outside of the online class. This ensures constancy and inclusive learning even after the class is over. For those who weren’t able to attend due to technical difficulties or poor connectivity, they never lose track of what’s going on. Cultivating Two-Way Interaction Two-way interactions are an integral part of engaging learning experiences. Inclusive classroom activities online may not completely replace them, but much can be done to build a more involved form of communication. One way to design such activities is to use the Kanevsky and Keighly framework to engage students with the five Cs: choice, challenge, control, complexity, and care. Use screen sharing and remote access tools. Physical classrooms offer avenues for students to present to their peers. In a virtual classroom setting, this can be achieved with screen sharing. Empower students to retain better by making them present their perspective and understanding of different concepts. This gives other students the impetus to do the same. Initiate group discussions through your course management system. Inviting students to design the resources and collaborate on group projects will jumpstart in-depth discussions. Many course management systems allow students to share their notes with each other. This creates inclusive learning environment. Finally: Why Will the Online University Experience Will Attract More Students Although learning institutions are beginning to open up for the in-person learning experience, the effectiveness of a virtual classroom is undeniable. Like remote working, remote learning is gaining ground, and inclusive online teaching is inevitably important. A Cengage survey revealed that 68% of students prefer hybrid learning: a combination of online and offline course delivery. In addition, the Department of Education’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) found that the number of students who enrolled in online-only programs rose from 3.5 million during the fall to 5.8 million. Fostering meaningful, hands-on learning similar to that in a classroom is difficult. Even though student enrollment in online courses is rising, learning institutions are facing the challenge of delivering a highly engaging learning experience. But with an understanding of the learning outcome and the right tools, institutions can develop robust, inclusive classroom activities that every student will want to benefit from. Frequently Asked Questions Do students and teachers prefer online teaching and learning? According to a recent survey by Cengage, about 73% of students prefer some courses to be delivered fully online. In addition, 57% of teachers said they prefer teaching hybrid courses over online-only courses. Is online teaching and learning a growing trend? Yes. Online learning platform Coursera experienced a huge spike in enrollments. In 2021, enrollment increased by 32% and peaked at 189 million. What are the principles of inclusive education? The principles of inclusive education are: Togetherness Participation Acceptance Equality

Read More
EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY

Remote Working is Shaping the Future of Schooling

Article | May 11, 2022

For so long, we have deeply embedded technology in our everyday lives. Working and learning from home complement each other, creating an ecosystem of solutions. Even as organizations continue to lean towards remote offices and hybrid working, the same may not be possible with learning. Businesses worldwide have blazed the trail for remote working. The past two years have seen both, formal education, and work taking a big virtual leap. While virtual learning has been around for some time, we have thrust it into the mainstream only because of the events following the pandemic. Remote work is no longer a trend or the domain of freelancers and tech workers. While organizations learned to maintain their productivity even as their workforce was scattered, schools and learning centers weren’t far behind. Schools could shift learning online using the principles and technology businesses were using to stay productive. Working and Learning from Home, Together Zoom classrooms are no match for the physical learning environment provided by a school.Although online education existed as a part-time alternative, traditional schooling has always been a holistic, on-premise experience. Virtual schooling cannot be dismissed, as proven by the last two years. It is especially significant in today’s remote work era and as a precursor to it. While there were mixed feelings about accepting the new normal, families enjoyed several benefits including lowered education costs, zero travel time, children’s safety, and a newfound work-life balance. Virtual schooling has become the norm. It worked only because parents could also stay back and help create a learning environment at home while they worked. They have now become integral to their kids’ learning and growth. “In the higher education space, most schools were, and still are, predominantly focused on that in-person campus visit to do all those same things, but it’s expensive and it means only students and parents who travel to campus can get that real-life feel and experience.” - Matthew Pellish, Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at CampusReel Cultivating the Workforce of the Future Virtual learning will provide children with the bandwidth they need to become competent in a world where remote working is the standard. They will have already conquered the learning curve. Remote learning will equip learners with the technical understanding, attitude, and collaborative spirit needed to excel in a technology-driven world. In addition, it will prepare them not just for hybrid workplaces but for a hybrid life that promotes work-life balance. Just as remote work enables easy access to talent worldwide, remote learning will help students access elusive academic programs and high-quality education in a flexible setting. Final Word The future has been transformed forever, and virtual schooling is gaining traction. It also looks set to follow the footsteps of remote working, a concept that is now solidifying in the form of hybrid workplace policies. Higher education institutes are realizing the advantages of virtual learning. They are incorporating a remote angle into their course delivery to make it faster, efficient, and more accessible. Will hybrid learning be the future of schooling? Looking at the course that online learning is set upon, it will.

Read More
MORE ARTICLES

Spotlight

Education Pioneers

Education Pioneers recruits, develops and connects diverse, talented professionals – including graduate students – to work for K-12 school districts, charter schools, and other education organizations. Our Pioneers work on issues related to student data analysis, external relations, operations, human resources, strategy and more. They solve problems outside of the classroom so students and teachers can succeed inside the classroom.

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EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY,ONLINE EDUCATION

ORAU Launches New App With a Variety of Resources Available, Including Hundreds of STEM Internships, Fellowships and Research Opportunities

ORAU | August 05, 2022

ORAU unveiled its all-new ORAU Pathfinder app, providing a wide range of resources on the go. This app offers college students, recent graduates and postdoctoral students a mobile tool to search and apply for hundreds of science, technology, engineering and math internships, fellowships and research opportunities at facilities across the U.S., such as NASA and the Army Research Laboratory. The ORAU Pathfinder app also provides a platform to remain engaged, connected and informed during the ORAU experience—from application, to offer, through the appointment and even as an ORAU alum. “We created the ORAU Pathfinder app with our current and future research participants in mind, We wanted to provide a platform for ORAU interns, fellows and others to connect and be able to stay connected to ORAU on their mobile devices.” -ORAU Director of Research Programs J. Scott Miller, Ph.D The ORAU Pathfinder mobile app helps those interested stay engaged, connected and informed during their experience at ORAU and beyond, and the app can be used to search and apply for opportunities, learn about exclusive ORAU events, manage applications, accept offers, access a variety of STEM career resources and more! About ORAU ORAU provides innovative scientific and technical solutions to advance national priorities in science, education, security and health. Through specialized teams of experts, unique laboratory capabilities and access to a consortium of 152 major institutions, ORAU works with federal, state, local and commercial customers to advance national priorities and serve the public interest. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and federal contractor, ORAU manages the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education for the U.S. Department of Energy.

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CORPORATE EDUCATION AND TRAINING

AIME Launches New Training Program, the AIME Academy, for the Wholesale Mortgage Community

Association of Independent Mortgage Experts | August 05, 2022

The Association of Independent Mortgage Experts (AIME), a non-profit, national trade membership association which supports wholesale mortgage professionals, announced its new training program, the AIME Academy. The AIME Academy’s launch showcases two brand new training programs – the Loan Officer Assistant Training Program and the Processor: Level 100 Training Program – both designed to provide entry-level training for learners without prior mortgage industry knowledge. “The AIME Academy was created to specifically help Broker Owners and small broker shops, who often lack critical training support in-house, Our association is committed to helping our members effectively scale their businesses, and in order for the broker channel to continue to grow, we need to provide the tools and resources that make it easier for their businesses to thrive.” -Katie Sweeney, CEO of AIME Loan Officer Assistant Training Program The Loan Officer Assistant Training Program is tailored to provide the basics of the mortgage industry and its history, while teaching the responsibilities and expectations of the average wholesale LOA. This self-paced program also highlights the basic requirements from the Fannie Mae, FHA, HUD, VA, and USDA selling guides, and is designed to support wholesale brokerages as part of their internal training processes. Processor: Level 100 Training Program The Processor: Level 100 Training Program is the first level of a multi-tier processor training plan, teaching aspiring processors how to analyze initial loan data. Trainees will be able to determine eligibility, including income, property, assets, and credit. This 10-hour competitive syllabus takes learners through five in-depth courses, covering lender regulations, guidelines, IPAC, and various workflows- all specifically designed for the wholesale mortgage channel. Program learners can work at their own pace towards the next level of certification and all graduates earn skill badges and a completion certificate. Both training programs are available immediately in the AIME Academy with additional courses available in the coming months. This program is intended to be a game-changer for anyone who wants to step into the wholesale mortgage industry. The nation’s leading mortgage experts developed the coursework for the training program guaranteeing that learners will excel in the fast-paced world of wholesale mortgage lending, adds Mike Cox, AIME’s Vice President of Education. About Association of Independent Mortgage Experts The Association of Independent Mortgage Experts (AIME) is a non-profit, national trade membership association created exclusively for independent mortgage brokers. With over 65,000 members, AIME is committed to establishing a community of independent mortgage experts by creating an association that empowers them with unparalleled technology, continued education, and networking support necessary to successfully advise consumers nationwide with their residential mortgage needs. AIME operates with a growth-focused strategy, providing tools and resources to propel the wholesale channel beyond a 25% share of the mortgage market in 2022 and beyond.

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EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY,ONLINE EDUCATION

Kahoot! launches the Kahoot! add-on for Google Classroom

Kahoot | August 02, 2022

Kahoot!, the global learning and engagement platform company, today announced that it has launched the Kahoot! add-on for Google Classroom, making it possible for educators and learners around the world to discover, create, assign and host interactive learning sessions without ever leaving Google Classroom. As a Google Classroom add-ons early access partner, Kahoot! is one of the first digital learning platforms to be available as a Google Classroom add-on. As shared on the Google for Education blog, "Add-ons provide a better end-to-end experience to not only save time for educators, but also simplify the digital classroom experience for students, too." "Both Kahoot! and Google Classroom are used by millions of educators and students worldwide to support and enrich learning, With Kahoot! now offering a Google Classroom add-on, teachers and learners can access, explore and share engaging Kahoot! content directly from Google Classroom, boosting engagement at school and supporting students' independent learning at home." - Melissa Mills, Product Director at Kahoot!. Instant access to supercharged learning and engagement district-wide Administrators can set up the Kahoot! add-on for schools across their district from the Google Workspace Marketplace in just a few clicks. Once enabled, educators and students can access Kahoot! on any device within Google Classroom, without needing to navigate to an external website or use an additional login. Classroom add-ons are available for all Google Workspace for Education users with the Teaching and Learning Upgrade or Google Workspace for Education Plus editions. Through the add-on, teachers can search for or create their own kahoots, as well as discover the millions of ready-to-use learning sessions on Kahoot!, which educators can then assign for students to complete directly within Google Classroom. The Kahoot! EDU offering for schools and school districts also enables educators to access a school library of kahoots, where they can find and share learning content with other teachers throughout the school or district. This integration marks Kahoot!'s latest collaboration with Google, beginning in 2019 when Kahoot! was selected to become a Google for Education Partner, followed by working together to launch Google Search Practice Problems and an integration with the upcoming live sharing feature on Google Meet. About Kahoot! Kahoot! is on a mission to make learning awesome! We want to empower everyone, including children, students, and employees to unlock their full learning potential. Our learning platform makes it easy for any individual or corporation to create, share, and host learning sessions that drive compelling engagement. Launched in 2013, Kahoot!'s vision is to build the leading learning platform in the world. Since launch, Kahoot! has hosted hundreds of millions of learning sessions with 8 billion participants (non-unique) in more than 200 countries and regions. The Kahoot! Group includes Clever, the leading US K-12 EdTech learning platform, together with the learning apps DragonBox, Poio, Drops, Actimo, Motimate, and Whiteboard.fi. The Kahoot! Group is headquartered in Oslo, Norway with offices in the US, the UK, France, Finland, Estonia, Denmark, Spain and Poland. Kahoot! is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker KAHOT.

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EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY,ONLINE EDUCATION

ORAU Launches New App With a Variety of Resources Available, Including Hundreds of STEM Internships, Fellowships and Research Opportunities

ORAU | August 05, 2022

ORAU unveiled its all-new ORAU Pathfinder app, providing a wide range of resources on the go. This app offers college students, recent graduates and postdoctoral students a mobile tool to search and apply for hundreds of science, technology, engineering and math internships, fellowships and research opportunities at facilities across the U.S., such as NASA and the Army Research Laboratory. The ORAU Pathfinder app also provides a platform to remain engaged, connected and informed during the ORAU experience—from application, to offer, through the appointment and even as an ORAU alum. “We created the ORAU Pathfinder app with our current and future research participants in mind, We wanted to provide a platform for ORAU interns, fellows and others to connect and be able to stay connected to ORAU on their mobile devices.” -ORAU Director of Research Programs J. Scott Miller, Ph.D The ORAU Pathfinder mobile app helps those interested stay engaged, connected and informed during their experience at ORAU and beyond, and the app can be used to search and apply for opportunities, learn about exclusive ORAU events, manage applications, accept offers, access a variety of STEM career resources and more! About ORAU ORAU provides innovative scientific and technical solutions to advance national priorities in science, education, security and health. Through specialized teams of experts, unique laboratory capabilities and access to a consortium of 152 major institutions, ORAU works with federal, state, local and commercial customers to advance national priorities and serve the public interest. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and federal contractor, ORAU manages the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education for the U.S. Department of Energy.

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CORPORATE EDUCATION AND TRAINING

AIME Launches New Training Program, the AIME Academy, for the Wholesale Mortgage Community

Association of Independent Mortgage Experts | August 05, 2022

The Association of Independent Mortgage Experts (AIME), a non-profit, national trade membership association which supports wholesale mortgage professionals, announced its new training program, the AIME Academy. The AIME Academy’s launch showcases two brand new training programs – the Loan Officer Assistant Training Program and the Processor: Level 100 Training Program – both designed to provide entry-level training for learners without prior mortgage industry knowledge. “The AIME Academy was created to specifically help Broker Owners and small broker shops, who often lack critical training support in-house, Our association is committed to helping our members effectively scale their businesses, and in order for the broker channel to continue to grow, we need to provide the tools and resources that make it easier for their businesses to thrive.” -Katie Sweeney, CEO of AIME Loan Officer Assistant Training Program The Loan Officer Assistant Training Program is tailored to provide the basics of the mortgage industry and its history, while teaching the responsibilities and expectations of the average wholesale LOA. This self-paced program also highlights the basic requirements from the Fannie Mae, FHA, HUD, VA, and USDA selling guides, and is designed to support wholesale brokerages as part of their internal training processes. Processor: Level 100 Training Program The Processor: Level 100 Training Program is the first level of a multi-tier processor training plan, teaching aspiring processors how to analyze initial loan data. Trainees will be able to determine eligibility, including income, property, assets, and credit. This 10-hour competitive syllabus takes learners through five in-depth courses, covering lender regulations, guidelines, IPAC, and various workflows- all specifically designed for the wholesale mortgage channel. Program learners can work at their own pace towards the next level of certification and all graduates earn skill badges and a completion certificate. Both training programs are available immediately in the AIME Academy with additional courses available in the coming months. This program is intended to be a game-changer for anyone who wants to step into the wholesale mortgage industry. The nation’s leading mortgage experts developed the coursework for the training program guaranteeing that learners will excel in the fast-paced world of wholesale mortgage lending, adds Mike Cox, AIME’s Vice President of Education. About Association of Independent Mortgage Experts The Association of Independent Mortgage Experts (AIME) is a non-profit, national trade membership association created exclusively for independent mortgage brokers. With over 65,000 members, AIME is committed to establishing a community of independent mortgage experts by creating an association that empowers them with unparalleled technology, continued education, and networking support necessary to successfully advise consumers nationwide with their residential mortgage needs. AIME operates with a growth-focused strategy, providing tools and resources to propel the wholesale channel beyond a 25% share of the mortgage market in 2022 and beyond.

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EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY,ONLINE EDUCATION

Kahoot! launches the Kahoot! add-on for Google Classroom

Kahoot | August 02, 2022

Kahoot!, the global learning and engagement platform company, today announced that it has launched the Kahoot! add-on for Google Classroom, making it possible for educators and learners around the world to discover, create, assign and host interactive learning sessions without ever leaving Google Classroom. As a Google Classroom add-ons early access partner, Kahoot! is one of the first digital learning platforms to be available as a Google Classroom add-on. As shared on the Google for Education blog, "Add-ons provide a better end-to-end experience to not only save time for educators, but also simplify the digital classroom experience for students, too." "Both Kahoot! and Google Classroom are used by millions of educators and students worldwide to support and enrich learning, With Kahoot! now offering a Google Classroom add-on, teachers and learners can access, explore and share engaging Kahoot! content directly from Google Classroom, boosting engagement at school and supporting students' independent learning at home." - Melissa Mills, Product Director at Kahoot!. Instant access to supercharged learning and engagement district-wide Administrators can set up the Kahoot! add-on for schools across their district from the Google Workspace Marketplace in just a few clicks. Once enabled, educators and students can access Kahoot! on any device within Google Classroom, without needing to navigate to an external website or use an additional login. Classroom add-ons are available for all Google Workspace for Education users with the Teaching and Learning Upgrade or Google Workspace for Education Plus editions. Through the add-on, teachers can search for or create their own kahoots, as well as discover the millions of ready-to-use learning sessions on Kahoot!, which educators can then assign for students to complete directly within Google Classroom. The Kahoot! EDU offering for schools and school districts also enables educators to access a school library of kahoots, where they can find and share learning content with other teachers throughout the school or district. This integration marks Kahoot!'s latest collaboration with Google, beginning in 2019 when Kahoot! was selected to become a Google for Education Partner, followed by working together to launch Google Search Practice Problems and an integration with the upcoming live sharing feature on Google Meet. About Kahoot! Kahoot! is on a mission to make learning awesome! We want to empower everyone, including children, students, and employees to unlock their full learning potential. Our learning platform makes it easy for any individual or corporation to create, share, and host learning sessions that drive compelling engagement. Launched in 2013, Kahoot!'s vision is to build the leading learning platform in the world. Since launch, Kahoot! has hosted hundreds of millions of learning sessions with 8 billion participants (non-unique) in more than 200 countries and regions. The Kahoot! Group includes Clever, the leading US K-12 EdTech learning platform, together with the learning apps DragonBox, Poio, Drops, Actimo, Motimate, and Whiteboard.fi. The Kahoot! Group is headquartered in Oslo, Norway with offices in the US, the UK, France, Finland, Estonia, Denmark, Spain and Poland. Kahoot! is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker KAHOT.

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