Technology on Campus

From eBooks to web cams, technology on campus continues to grow. Learn how the latest technology impacts your child’s education. Get tips on the best ways to integrate technology into education and stay abreast of the latest developments and challenges facing schools.

View the most popular articles in Technology on Campus:

The Surprising Way Schools are Saving Money on Ed Tech

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The Surprising Way Schools are Saving Money on Ed Tech
With technology advancing and changing faster than ever, how can educators and schools keep up? The answer: refurbished ed tech.

How can educators and schools keep up with technology advancing and changing faster than ever? The answer: refurbished ed tech. The use of refurbished computers in public schools can vary widely depending on the specific school district, budget constraints, and local policies.

Refurbished computers are often considered a cost-effective way for schools to provide technology to students. They can be more affordable than purchasing brand-new computers, especially for cash-strapped school districts. Many schools and educational organizations may choose to refurbish older computers to extend their lifespan and make them available to students.

The prevalence of refurbished computers in public schools may also depend on the region and the level of funding available for technology initiatives. Schools may have extensive programs to refurbish and distribute computers to students in some areas. In contrast, in others, the use of refurbished computers may be less common due to budget limitations.

To get more specific information about the use of refurbished computers in public schools in your area, I recommend contacting your local school district or educational authorities. They can provide you with up-to-date information on their technology initiatives and how refurbished computers are utilized.

The Emergence of Refurbished Ed Tech

Teachers and administrators are turning to refurbished educational technology for better learning experiences on a reduced budget. Refurbished machines save time and money and give instructors a wider range of teaching options for students. We paneled some of the top minds in education to learn about the impact refurbished tech is

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Internet Access at School: What is Appropriate?

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Internet Access at School: What is Appropriate?
We examine the issue of Internet access in public schools, particularly in light of recent allegations from a father that his daughter was allowed to visit online dating websites from her school during class hours.

Technology is being used in schools to enhance the academic experience, with a wealth of research resources offered in “real time.” However, access to the Internet also comes with its own myriad of concerns, particularly when it is children in control of the navigation process. One recent incident - where a girl was dating online while at school - exemplifies the need for discussion and action when it comes to keeping children safe on the Internet while they are in school.

This video provides a general overview of Acceptable Use guidelines.

Girl Finds Online Dating on School Computer

A 17-year-old girl in the Rochester Public School District got more than she bargained for when she went on her school computers recently. The John Marshall student found the online dating website Meetme.com during class time. According to a report at My FOX 47, the young woman made contact with a number of men from the website, many of whom wanted to have sex with her.

The student’s father said that because his daughter has special needs, as well as the mental functioning of an 11-year old, the girl’s Internet time is closely monitored at home. However, no one appeared to notice that this student had accessed the online dating site, or that she was sharing personal information like her cell phone number with others visiting the network.

Her father told the news station that he

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More Technology Finding a Place in Public Education

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More Technology Finding a Place in Public Education
Learn about school districts that are finding funds to supply students and faculty with laptops, iPads and other technology tools to enhance the educational experience.

As technology takes a bigger place in the professional and personal world today, it is also finding its way into more and more public classrooms across the country. From laptops to iPads, students are learning to incorporate technology into the learning process to enhance their educational experience overall. This trend does not show any signs of slowing; in fact, school districts nationwide are finding more money in already tight budgets to equip classrooms with all the gadgetry they need to bring their students effectively into the 21st century. This article will take a look at exactly how technology is finding a place in the public school classroom today.

Online Textbooks Replacing Traditional Books

Online textbooks do not get lost or stolen, they don’t take up space in a locker or backpack, and they provide a wealth of additional resources - all with a single click of the mouse. It is no wonder that online textbooks are fast replacing traditional books today. A report in the Kingstowne Patch announced a pilot program in Fairfax County Schools to provide online social studies books for all high school and middle school students this year. To access the online books, students will be encouraged to bring their own laptops to school. Those that don’t have their own computers will be provided one by the district.

The schools are also working to ensure students will

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Virtual Schools Offer Additional Options to Struggling Students

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Virtual Schools Offer Additional Options to Struggling Students
Gaining in popularity, virtual schools can help an array of students complete their high school education. Learn about the benefits of virtual schools and whether they are right for your student.

Virtual learning may seem like a relatively new concept in the world of education, but distance learning via correspondence schools and other sources has actually been around for centuries. Virtual schools offer students the ability to get at least a portion of their education online, from the comfort of home. Some students even enroll in virtual schools full time, graduating without ever setting foot in a brick-and-mortar classroom! We’ll take a look at how the virtual school has evolved, what the benefits might be, and some areas of the country that are now actively promoting their virtual schools for struggling and overachieving students alike.

What is Virtual School?

According to WhatIs.com, virtual learning involves the use of computers and the Internet to create a classroom environment right at home. The core components of a successful virtual learning experience include:

  • Curriculum mapping that breaks curriculum down into assessable segments
  • The ability to track student progress
  • Sufficient online support for both students and faculty
  • Access to electronic communication like email, online chat, and video conferencing
  • Links via the Internet to outside resources that enhance the learning experience

When all of these components are included in the virtual learning environment, virtual schools can be just as effective, if not more so, than the traditional classroom for many students today. Virtual schools are available on both the public and private school levels, so parents can often search out the best online learning environment for their child’s unique needs and abilities.

The Benefits

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Google Apps: Coming to a Public School Near You

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Google Apps: Coming to a Public School Near You
Google is teaming up with public schools to improve test scores, reduce behavioral issues, and save school districts money. Learn about the Google Apps program and the benefits seen by states embracing the technology.

Today's students must be well versed in much more than the three traditional "Rs" that have carried public education for the past century. In order to compete in the global marketplace, students must also know their way around the most recent technology utilized in the workplace today.

To help students and teachers in achieving that goal, Google Apps is ready to bring technology into the classroom – in real-time, no less. In a recent agreement between Google Apps and a host of states across the country, more and more public schools will see the results of technology in the classroom.

Using Google Docs in the Classroom

According to a recent entry on the Official Google Blog, Google Apps can provide a multitude of uses in today's classroom, including:

  • Gmail allows students and teachers to easily communicate with one another
  • Docs that give students the opportunity to turn in assignments to the teacher right from the student's own computer
  • Sites that give students access to assignments, lesson plans, and research material any time of the day or night
  • Groups that provide additional opportunities for students to interact with instructors and classmates online

The addition of Google Apps makes the entire classroom more interactive, as teachers have the ability to coach students throughout the course of their assignments, and students have easy access to ask questions and get feedback. The "anytime, anywhere" access allows students and teachers

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