EdBizWatch

Ed Tech Deals Reach $1.6 Billion in First Half of 2015

We’ve been surprised at the divergence around what should be simple facts.

Ed Tech Deals Reach $1.6 Billion in First Half of 2015, Tony Wan, Tyler McNally, edSurge

Ed Tech's Funding Frenzy

Consumer-facing companies, however, are receiving more funding than ever before.

Ed Tech's Funding Frenzy, Carl Strausheim, Inside Higher Ed

Funding To VC-Backed Ed Tech Startups Soars 96%

In the last four quarters, including Q2’15, ed tech startups attracted $2.3 Billion.

Funding To VC-Backed Ed Tech Startups Soars 96%, CB Insights

How Much Tougher Is Common Core?

A new report from the National Center on Education Statistics provides some data.

How Much Tougher Is Common Core? Mikhail Zinshteyn, The Atlantic

US Edtech Brings in $240 Million in June

The funding was spread across 22 different deals with at least 33 unique investors.

US Edtech Brings in $240 Million in June, edSurge

Report: Is it Game Over for Gamification?

A preview of the upcoming K–12 NMC Horizon report gives classroom gamification the axe.

Report: Is it Game Over for Gamification? Dr. Frank Smith, EdTech

Ed Tech Is Booming in China

Funding to Chinese ed-tech companies spiked 400% in 2014, & is on pace to 2x that in 2015.

Education Technology Is Booming in China, CBInsights

MOOCs Emerge As Disruptors To Corporate Learning

Top resistors to experimenting with MOOCs were in the Corporate Learning Department.

MOOCs Emerge As Disruptors To Corporate Learning, Jeanne Meister, Forbes

‘Enormous’ Increase in Classroom Tech for Littlest Learners

More than half of preschool teachers report use of tablets, according to new survey.

‘Enormous’ Increase in Classroom Tech for Littlest Learners, N. Dobo, Hechinger Report 

Edu Purchases to Drive Chromebook Shipments 27% in 2015

In 2014, education accounted for 75% of Chromebook sales.

Edu Purchases to Drive Chromebook Sales 27% in 2015, Joshua Bolkan, The Journal

Online Learning Growth Slows, But Don't Miss the Big Picture

Disruption may take longer than forecasted.

Rpt Saying Online Learning Growth Is Slowing Misses Big Picture, Michael Horn, Forbes

Kindergarteners Who Share iPads May Perform Better: Study

Kids who shared iPads scored 28% better on literacy tests; kids with own devices improved 24%; kids without iPads improved 20%.

Kindergarteners Who Share iPads May Perform Better: Study, Alexandra Sifferlin, Time

edX MOOC Research Results Challenges Assumptions

Computer Science courses ruled with an avg participation of 68K vs. 19K for other categories.

edX MOOC Research Results Challenges Assumptions, Dian Schaffhauser, Campus Tech

K-12 Digital Curriculum Growing; Print Shrinking

In 2010 "the balance shifted from primarily print to primarily digital in K-12 market.

K-12 Digital Curriculum Growing; Print Shrinking, Dian Schaffhauser, THE Journal

Slowdown Expected in K-12 Mobile Device Growth for 2015

Mobile device worldwide growth in 2014 was 18%; U.S. growth was 40.5%.

Slowdown Expected in K-12 Mobile Device Growth for 2015, Dian Schaffhauser, The Journal

The New Gender Divide in Education

< 5% of 15-yr-old girls consider careers in engineering/computing. For boys, 20%.

The New Gender Divide in Education, Andreas Schleicher, Huffington Post

‘Consumer Reports’ for Common Core Finds Materials Lacking

EdReports.org issued its first analysis of Common Core classroom materials.

New ‘Consumer Reports’ for Common Core Finds Materials Lacking, L. Layton, WP

Testing Is Biggest Moneymaker for Education Tech Vendors

US digital assessment products in 2012-2013 school year: $2.5 billion.

Testing Is Biggest Moneymaker for Ed Tech Vendors, D. Nagel, The Journal

Venture Investors Put $2 Billion Into Ed Tech in 2014

It appears a revival in K-12 investing is underway. (see graphs)

Venture Investors Put $2B Into the Blackboard Jungle, Christine Magee, TechCrunch

U.S. Millennials Come Up Short in Global Skills Study

Shortfalls affect all segments of American society.

U.S. Millennials Come Up Short in Global Skills Study, Sarah Sparks, Education Week