EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY
Sophia Learning | February 13, 2023
An online-learning and on-demand platform, Sophia Learning provides general education-level courses to higher education level students and recently announced a partnership with one of the world's leading edtech platforms Labster, for virtual lab and interactive science. The partnership delivers college-level science courses incorporating Labster's simulation content designed to meet the higher education needs of Sophia Learning's students and working adults. Sophia Learning is an associate of Strategic Education, Inc., a nonprofit with a mission to reduce the cost of higher education while increasing student success and job readiness.
The American Council on Education (ACE®) recommends the Chemistry lab course made with Labster for college credit. This signifies that many colleges and universities may accept course credit from it towards a degree. In addition, ACE® is looking at other courses to see if they should be recommended for credit. These courses are a good way to get college-level credits in STEM fields at a low cost.
Sophia's Chemistry Lab course was first launched in December with Labster simulations. Sophia Learning will use Labster's simulations to build four more online lab courses in 2023. To help students finish the lab simulations, the courses will have extra Labster content like lab reports, manuals, formative assessments, and introductory videos. Sophia Learning courses with Labster-integrated labs include Introduction to Chemistry, Microbiology, Human Biology, Anatomy and Physiology I and Anatomy and Physiology II.
Labster allows teachers to use the internet to explore, improve, and add to their science lessons and classroom activities. Labster's STEM-related virtual lab simulations catalog now has more than 300 titles. These simulations can be used in more than 50 academic courses. In addition, the browser based Labster simulations can be performed on a range of the most commonly used devices, from desktop computers to iPad and tablets to Chromebooks.
Independent research and case studies show that the gamification techniques and fun, real-world scenarios of the Labster simulations get students more interested and involved. Learners can explore simulations on their own in high-tech labs through their web browsers, eliminating schools from spending millions building new facilities. Students can try out Sophia Learning courses before signing up for a low-cost monthly plan to take college-level courses. In addition, Labster virtual labs and interactive science solutions are available for free to educators.
About Sophia Learning
Sophia Learning offers high-quality online college-credit courses with a curriculum tailored to students and working adults. In addition, the platform provides lots of online, low-cost general education-level courses for college credit that ACE® recommends. Over 1,000 colleges and universities received Sophia's transcripts. The company was established in 2012 and believed in making personal and professional affordable and accessible at every educational career stage.
About Labster
Founded in 2011, Labster is committed to making fully interactive virtual training simulations. These simulations help students learn more by piquing their natural curiosity and showing them how science applies to the real world. The simulations can be used in various ways, from a complete lab replacement to an additional learning activity. As a result, more than 5 million students in high school universities across 70 countries have used Labster to conduct realistic experiments, practice skills in a risk-free environment and learn key science concepts.
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TALENT DEVELOPMENT
Catapult Learning | February 09, 2023
On February 8, 2023, Catapult Learning, a provider of student intervention programs and professional development solutions for instructors in K-12 schools, announced that it was chosen by the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) to deliver professional development (PD) and coaching services to educators in K-12 schools to enhance student outcomes. The four-year state contract contains a one-year renewal option for a fifth year.
MDE will provide at least 25 new instructional math coaches in collaboration with Catapult Learning. The first group will serve educators in Greenwood-Leflore Consolidated School Districts and Jackson Public at seven elementary and middle schools. Throughout the year, MDE will incorporate additional schools.
Catapult Learning's experienced math coaches provide online, in-person, or job-embedded coaching, in-person modeling and co-teaching, individualized action plans, classroom observations, professional development, lesson plan development, and summer enrichment for administrators. Additionally, it provides PD for over 500 school districts annually on vital education topics such as mathematics, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), literacy and The Science of Reading, social-emotional learning, inclusive practices, and mental health.
Scalable and adaptable, the company's PD addresses the requirements of schools and districts of all sizes through online, face-to-face, and job-embedded support. PDNow, the company's online platform, offers asynchronous learning in addition to workshops and coaching, allowing educators and leaders to benefit from over 200 hours of online workshops, community interaction and just-in-time resources.
About Catapult Learning
Catapult Learning, a division of FullBloom, provides K-12 schools with experienced coaches who implement intervention programs for students and PD solutions for teachers. The company's PD services enhance the capacity of educators and administrators to increase and maintain student achievement. Its intervention programs support struggling students with individualized instruction based on their specific needs. By partnering with over 500 school districts nationwide, the company promotes academic and professional growth outcomes. Catapult Learning is accredited by Cognia and has been awarded the System of Distinction honor in 2022.
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EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY
Springboard | January 27, 2023
On January 26, 2023, Springboard, an online learning platform that prepares students for in-demand careers, announced a partnership with Gonzaga University, a Jesuit liberal arts institute in Spokane (Washington), to provide students and prospective students with two bootcamps, namely Cybersecurity and Software Engineering.
Employment for information security analysts and software developers is anticipated to increase over the next ten years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Sanam Raza, Vice President and General Manager of University Partnerships at Springboard, shared, "We want to do all that we can to provide the knowledge and support to meet the surge in demand for talent in these fields," She added, "We look forward to working alongside Gonzaga to help close this skills gap in the tech workforce and share in their commitment to expanding what a 21st century educational institution can do."
(Source – Business Wire)
This is Springboard's first university collaboration in 2023 and its tenth collaboration overall. With a proven track record of success, Springboard has emerged as a leading partner for universities looking to broaden their offerings to students through asynchronous e-learning. Springboard's exceptional, cohort-based, human-guided programs combine one-on-one mentoring with live and instructor-led lessons.
Springboard's curriculum is developed by experts in the field, and students receive hands-on assistance from industry professionals as well as career coaching on how to build a network and land a job. Individuals who take the courses will gain real-world experience and create unique work portfolios.
The 360-hour Cybersecurity bootcamp will cover industry fundamentals, vulnerability assessment, systems and network security, security operations, and a capstone project to demonstrate specialized skills.
The Software Engineering Bootcamp covers front-end and back-end web development, databases, data structures, and algorithms, with two capstone projects included.
Students in similar programs at Springboard have received job offers from companies such as Amazon, Salesforce, Google, Microsoft, and others in Fortune 100. The programs will be available to the public, and prospective students can enroll without prior industry or academic experience. Students who complete the program will be awarded an official Gonzaga University certificate.
About Springboard
Founded in 2013, California-based Springboard is an online learning platform that trains students for the most in-demand careers in the technology industry. More than 20,000 students in over 100 countries have used the company's systematic, mentor-led online learning programs to advance their careers. Employers such as Microsoft, Google, Meta, LinkedIn, Deloitte, Intel, IBM, and Salesforce have hired graduates from its programs. Springboard was recently included on the 2023 GSV EdTech 150 list, ranking the world's 150 most transformative digital learning growth companies.
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