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What?s New in Educational Technology ? July 2024

Yay! Summer has arrived. Time to catch up with what was missed and to just, plain, relax!

Some Summer reading and learning ideas, including free courses and certifications for STEM and technology teachers, and for anyone with an interest! There is interesting info about the IRIS Reader/Scanner as used for reading and learning disabilities. Plus news from the big 4 (Nvidia has been added) about their education support websites.

So, take a look, let's see what's new!

1. At what age can kids learn coding? How about 4 years old? If your school uses iPads with their pre-school and early grades then Code Karts by EDOKI Academy is a good beginning. The basic course is free and some upgrades can be purchased. They begin with logic puzzles and ?sequencing? and build from there. There are 70+ levels to work through. Here it is in the Apple Appstore: Code Karts - Pre-coding logic on the App Store (apple.com)

If you use Android tablets, these are sold by many companies including Samsung, Lenovo, Google Pixel, OnePlus, the Amazon Fire HD, and others: Code Karts Pre-coding for kids - Apps on Google Play

Edoki Academy offers many apps for the Montessori school environment. This does not preclude using these products in a conventional, comprehensive school environment. Here is their WWW link: Award-winning educational app publisher | Edoki Academy - Montessori Preschool (edokiclub.com)

2. Learn to code - for Free! Are you curious about coding? Do you need a resource for high school and higher education students who want to learn to code? For the last 10 years, FreeCodeCamp.org has been offering courses and certifications relating to coding. This is a free website (a 501?(3) public charity). Even the certifications are free. Languages include HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, SQL, and more. This site uses a practical approach: Focusing on mobile apps, web development, artificial intelligence, and data science. Take a look here: Learn to Code - For Free! Coding Courses for Busy People (freecodecamp.org)

3. Google Gemini course for beginners This video is a quick introduction (from FreeCodeCamp.org) to creating "prompts" for use with Google's AI product, Gemini. Since Gemini can respond to text and images, it is an interesting introduction. Note that it is almost 1 hour and 20 minutes long. Google Gemini AI Course for Beginners (youtube.com)

4. New ChatGPT EDU for Universities OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has released a version specifically designed for colleges and universities. It's abilities are more robust with the added focus of better security, data privacy, and administrative controls. (Think group settings.) This new product is the result of schools like Wharton School at UPenn, Arizona State University, and Oxford having used the enterprise version and making reservations. More can be found here: OpenAI's new ChatGPT Edu is for universities. Here's how teachers and students can benefit (msn.com)

5. Chief AI Officer? IT executives believe that a Chief of Artificial Intelligence (COAI) officer is necessary because using AI is just beginning. Such a person would have the knowledge of best practices for using AI, while also being aware of the consequences of misusing AI. In addition, they would be responsible for training others to use AI at the company standards level. A few months ago, I suggested that companies would need specialists (I used the term "doyen"). And, perhaps this is something that can be added as a vocational curriculum. At this time ZD-Net's Joe McKendrick agrees. Here is the article: What is a Chief AI Officer, and how do you become one? | ZDNET

6. The IRIS Pen Reader/Scanner What can a wide pen-shaped, battery-powered text scanner do for your students? It got my attention for a few reasons: 1. A student who is dyslexic or may have limited vision can use it as it will read the text to the student. The resulting audio files can be saved for later review. 2. As it reads, it is also a scanner, which means it can copy what it sees into a document. 3. It recognizes 48 languages when reading text from a book and 15 languages when scanning a photo or another graphic. 4. It does not require a connection to the internet, so it is usable anywhere. FYI: IRIS is owned by Canon of Japan. You may know them for their cameras. This device sells for $140. Here is a link for more information: IRISPen Reader 8 | the revolutionary pen scanner & portable scanner (iriscorporate.com)

7. Summer Learning and Professional Development for Educators Microsoft offers free resources and applications for education. In addition, they provide training too. The Microsoft Education blog is a source of courses and information for using new technologies and applications while teaching. Two that come to mind are Co-Pilot and Reading Progress. Co-Pilot is an AI application available in an academic version for teachers. Reading Progress (and Reading Coach), while student-focused, is designed to support teachers in the classroom. Here is an article from the blog: Recharge and explore with summer learning for educators | Microsoft Education Blog

Additional teacher resources are available. This runs from games to additional learning for teachers. Check out this website: Homepage | Microsoft Education Blog

8. ISTE receives funding to advance AI in Education Provided by Microsoft, the grant is supposed to be used to improve teacher preparation, especially for new teachers coming into the profession. ISTE and ACSD are looking to work with Educator Preparation Programs, this could include instructional coaches along with higher education faculty who teach the future teachers. Apply here for more information: Interest Form: Transforming Teacher Preparation: Empowering Tomorrow's Teachers Today (office.com)

9. Using Brain Science to Better Educate. Some students struggle with absorbing lessons. Others simply cannot move what they have learned from short-term to long-term memory. This brief article from Tech&Learning discusses this subject and suggests a book that delves deeply into the topic. (The book is available from Amazon.) 5 Teaching Tips Using Brain Science | Tech & Learning (techlearning.com)

10. Using Apple Devices? Here are free resources for educators: The Apple Learning Center provides and shares tutorials, lesson ideas, and teaching materials. It is also free for teachers to sign up and use the materials. Education Community - Apple Education Community

11. Google Education Navigator for Teachers and Administrators? Software today is complicated, and with the addition of AI and the "cloud", not to mention the constant updates and new tools available, learning to use this effectively takes time and practice. Google is now providing the Navigator, a hands-on learning tool for educators. It is an email-based resource with new information and teacher-focused resources. You can sign up for it here: Find Google for Education resources with Education Navigator (blog.google)

12. Teach Technology? Are you teaching Nvidia's technology? Nvidia's products are used in AI, Deep Learning, Data Science, Graphics and Simulation, and much more. Now Nvidia is providing resources for students and teachers interested in this level of computing. While much of this is "higher education" level, some may be applicable to high school level, especially if you are involved in a computer club or an academy program. Deep Learning Institute and Training Solutions | NVIDIA

This link is more educator-focused: Deep Learning Programs for Educators | NVIDIA

I could have added more, but this is the Summer, a time for family and friends and relaxation!

Please feel free to share with any colleagues and friends. (My kids will probably be interested in Free Code Camp.)

Mitch Ravitz

mitch@tcclass.com

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