EdBizWatch

Apple and IBM Have Big Data Plans for Education

“We’re not satisfied with the way technology is being used in education today.”

Apple and IBM Have Big Data Plans for Education, Jonny Evans, ComputerWorld

What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Personalized Learning’?

What the ed tech community means by 'personalized' doesn't really match what educators mean.

What Do We Really Mean When We Say ‘Personalized Learning’? K. Schwartz, Mind/Shift

SkillPixels Picks Up $2.1 Million in Funding from Tekes

Finnish company's first title is SmartKid, an iOS game that teach math for PreK-2nd grade.

SkillPixels picks up $2.1 Million in Funding from Tekes, G. Anderson, Arctic Startup

Computers Enable Good Teachers

Reich’s blog post overlooks some of the important benefits of educational technology.

Computers Enable Good Teachers, Thomas Arnett, ClaytonChristensenInstitute.org

Beyond the Factory Model

A foundation-funded experiment is testing whether “blended learning” can personalize instruction in 8 Oakland schools.

Beyond the Factory Model, Joanne Jacobs, Education Next

Will Computers Ever Replace Teachers?

Forty years after PLATO, interest in computer-assisted instruction is surging. 

Will Computers Ever Replace Teachers? Justin Reich, New Yorker

Declara Adds $9M from EDBI, Linden Venture Fund

Co offers an adaptive learning platform and has raised a total of $34 million.

Declara Adds Another $9M to its Series A, Kay Alexander, Edukwest

Why Aren’t More Schools Using Free, Open Tools?

Schools have many reasons for wanting to systematize the technology in schools:

Why Aren’t More Schools Using Free, Open Tools? Katrina Schwartz, Mind/Shift

Adaptive Learning: Are We There Yet?

Know the difference between "adaptive learning" and "personalized learning." 

Adaptive Learning: Are We There Yet? John K. Waters, THE Journal

Data Mining Your Children

Just 7% of contracts between districts & tech companies handling student data barred the companies from selling it for profit.  7%.

Data Mining Your Children, Stephanie Simon, Politico

Stop the False Generalizations About Personalized Learning

Tom Loveless, when we disruptors say "personalized learning," here's what we mean.

Stop the False Generalizations About Personalized Learning, Michael Horn, Forbes

Have You Heard of Zoran Popović?

UW CS professor is getting closer to transformative change with learning games.

How to Make Learning Games More Effective, Alexa Ray Corriea, Polygon

Declara Raises $16 Million From GSV Capital, Others

“Declara looks like Facebook and Google had a baby,” Matt Ocko, Data Collective.

Declara Raises $16M for Personalized Continuing Education, Liz Gannes, re/code

AltSchool Raises $33M from Founders & Andreessen Horowitz

Co platform helps administrators run 'micro-schools" at low cost and helps educators deliver a learning "playlist" experience to each student. It charges $19.1K tuition. 

AltSchool Raises $33M, Led by Founders & Andreessen Horowitz, Lora Kolodny, WSJ

Privacy Bills Block Personalization, Seek Private Benefit

The 1st problem with these bills is that they could prevent personalized learning — the most important development in the history of education.

Privacy Bills Block Personalization, Seek Private Benefit, Tom Vander Ark, Getting Smart

Q&A With Jim Shelton of the Department Of Education

We cover a lot of ground: edtech in general, standardized testing, privacy, & more.

Q&A With Jim Shelton of the Department Of Education, Jordan Shapiro, Forbes

What Google's Investment in Renaissance Learning Means

Two implications: personalized learning paths are a reality & big guys will play a key role.

What Does Google's Investment in Renaissance Mean? Tom Vander Ark, Getting Smart

10 Roles For Artificial Intelligence In Education

Education could look a whole lot different a few decades from now.

10 Roles For Artificial Intelligence In Education, TeachThought

Flat World Raises $9M From Bessemer, Other

Company's pivot to new value prop similar to pivots from 2U, Udacity, Coursera and EdX.

Flat World Raises $9M From Bessemer, Other, Rip Empson, TechCrunch

Discovery Unveils Curiosity.com to Inspire Learning

Discovery plans for Curiosity to become the hub to find, filter, rank, organize learning content.

Discovery Unveils Curiosity.com to Inspire Everyday Learning, Rebecca Grant, VentureBeat