Monday, March 04, 2013

LaunchPad Solves Teachers' Organizational and Accountability Issues

It was only a matter of time before someone realized that those in the educational community needed one central site where school and district administrators as well as teachers and parents could visit for objective and professional reviews of education technology software. K12TechReview.com is currently in the process of building such a site and will have it up and running soon. It will be complete with criterion-based reviews by accredited reviewers from the education and technology sectors. Most importantly, instead of just looking at the technical features of a piece of software, these reviews will take a hard look at the actual educational value of these platforms. 

As an accredited reviewer, I’ve now reviewed 5 software applications. Below is a sample of my review of LaunchPad (by ClassLink)





Teacher Experience (A)
The quality and ease of use for the teacher, paraprofessional, or administrator.

LaunchPad is a cloud based k-12 desktop which gives teachers access to not only all their files, documents and media, but to over a 1,000 applications. What you get with this software is basically a desktop, tablet, laptop or smartphone with all of one’s teachers tools, apps and documents neatly and stylishly organized in one convenient place and accessible wherever there is an Internet connection.

The Instructional Desktop is a particularly nice feature. It allows teachers to distribute and collect assignments, upload course materials, create calendars, use whiteboards and create collaborative assignments and projects. A teacher could potentially run class from their desk, behind a laptop and take students on an interactive journey through virtually all class content (including ebooks) in real time and have students actually interact with and discuss information. Students could then go along with each presentation on whatever device they have, be it a laptop, iPad or even smartphone.

In terms of accountability, LaunchPad’s portal feature would be a great way to share practically the entire learning experience of a school or class with parents, board members and interested parties in the community.

Overall, LaunchPad offers easy setup, standard navigation, great collaborative and instructional tools as well as access to hundreds of helpful apps and educational websites.


Student Experience (A)
The quality, ease, and engagement for students and their families.

Students should find LaunchPad engaging, intuitive, easy to navigate, self-explanatory, rich with resources and visually stimulating. By using this platform, students could potentially throw away notebooks, folders and no longer have to worry about crumpled or lost papers as all assignments and class-work could be handed in online.

Because the platform is loaded with tools like real time chat, webcam, screen sharing, calendar function and the fact that students could easily hand in work and collaborate with others, there is an infinite number of ways to be engaged in learning. Plus, in terms of accountability, the students’ parents would have no trouble seeing exactly what is going on in class and what it expected.

No one really needs to refer to a class schedule or syllabus anymore, as instructions and expectations would be clearly visible to all students using the system, either by looking at posted assignments or by accessing the class calendar. A creative or tech-savvy teacher could allow students with different types of intelligence and understanding to demonstrate learning in an almost limitless number of ways. For example, a student might choose to demonstrate learning by way of podcast, blog entry or video if the teacher were so inclined to accept student work in this fashion.


Setup and Implementation (A)
How easy it is to set up and configure, implement, and manage the solution in a K12 setting.

With a platform of this magnitude, there could be a moderately steep learning curve for the non-technical user.  But LaunchPad offers instructional videos, webinars, a free demo,
a blog filled with ideas and explanations and a responsive customer service department. Setup should be relatively easy.


Quality of Features (A)
Feature rich; includes all anticipated features plus offers other at no or little additional investment; features integrated smoothly.

There is an exhaustive list of features offered on the platform. Some of the basic functions include being able to 1.) edit documents locally or from the “cloud,” 2.) run Windows applications on any device; 3.) use collaboration tools, drop boxes and interactive whiteboards; 4.) use SSO (single sign on) feature to access websites and more with a single click; 5.) create portals so people outside of class can access one’s materials and  6.) accommodate BYOD programs, allowing students to use smartphones, tablets, etc.

For the teacher who appreciates style and creativity, one can easily change the look and feel of the interface, change background screens and use an avatar or profile picture. LaunchPad also offers a Google sign on and makes it easy to operate on iPad and other devices.


Educational Value
The value to a K12 setting, especially how it impacts student learning. Non-classroom solutions are evaluated in terms of administrative value.

A platform or system whereby teachers, students and administrators store, share files and use applications, is not by itself educational. But the system does exactly what it is intended to do in that it offers great educational potential. LaunchPad is a facilitative tool, and as such puts the onus on the users to create educational value.

If one looks at the educational value in terms of a teacher being more organized and efficient or being able to streamline their teaching functions, then LaunchPad hits the mark. This platform does a great job of creating community, in that it brings all key players, i.e. teachers, students, administrators and parents together. Systems get better by way of communication and creating feedback loops, and in that sense LaunchPad is an invaluable tool.


Security & Privacy
To what extent and in what way can the solution be controlled in terms of access and privacy.

Access to the platform is encrypted using ssl/https. LaunchPad offers a single sign on feature allowing users to save their credentials for their favorite websites and the ability to log into their resources with a single mouse click. Like anything else, this is secure as long as teachers do not leave their computer unattended after having logged into the program.


Exposure
How well the product protects students from inappropriate or undesirable content.

Content is really determined by the teacher, student and possibly administrator and parent, so this can only be determined by the users. All applications featured on the platform are educationally based and appropriate for student use.


Support
Documentation, support, warranty, etc.

ClassLink offers a blog, FAQ section, instructional videos, webinars and product demos with ideas for educators and information on product usage. Their customer service department offers “100% dedication guaranteed,” and allows users to connect by phone or email.


General Rating
Overall, after considering all elements, how did the product feel?

LaunchPad deserves their many accolades and awards for offering a highly functional, organized, streamlined and stylish product. Once a teacher becomes familiar with the many features and apps and learns how to upload assignments and create classes, the platform should really help teachers and schools to increase (as well as promote and expose) their workflow.

Summary

LaunchPad solves the organizational problems that come along with teaching or running a school by creating a functional and useful place for teachers to put all their content and applications.  But the product goes beyond that by also providing a hands-on way to actually deliver content and evaluate student understanding.  For the administrator or school district, it solves the problem of transparency and accountability. Administrators, for example, can easily monitor how the system is being used and can examine the “output” of the teaching staff.  For these reasons, LaunchPad deserves a high rating.







Sunday, December 30, 2012

Response to: Education is the Work of Teachers, Not Hackers

The article Education is the Work of Teachers, Not Hackers was recently posted and discussed on
Andrea Kuszewski's  Facebook Page.

I think this gets to the core of what education is all about, especially in light of all the developments taking place in educational technology.  Because of that, I wanted to share my response here to encourage more discussion.

I think the best teachers facilitate growth in many directions. They shouldn't try to push an academic or literary life on someone cut out to be an entrepreneur and shouldn't guide an academic type to be a business person. And if someone wants to be well-rounded and pursue multiple interests, that's cool too! I say let someone's own curiosity and interests guide the way -- higher education for some, "un-schooling" and entrepreneurship for others. If the "drop-out" ends up lacking in worldly knowledge, he/she can always learn these things along the way, as needed. The only thing that really gets me is this singular definition of success - related to business and material things. When are we going to wake up and recognize not only multiple forms of intelligence, but multiple ways of demonstrating our worth in this world!?

Monday, November 26, 2012

Ambitious Experiment in Educational Innovation to Take Place in Sacramento

Sacramento, CA, November 26, 2012—  They had a simple idea: Find a brilliant mix of innovative people from different professions. Get them together in one space for a day. Invite teachers, EdTech visionaries, hackers and entrepreneurs and encourage them to work on ideas, partnerships, networks, even businesses with the goal of jump starting the economy and revolutionizing education. Call it the “Education Supercollider (Un) Conference” and  give yourself 40 days to make it happen.

“The experiment,” according to The Education Supercollider co-founders Lee Chazen and Charles Van Norman, “is to see if this mix collides in such a way as to produce positive results. For example, the Bay Area is rife with EdTech startups; can the same phenomenon also start and thrive in cities like Sacramento?”

In order to encourage innovation and interaction (often missing from traditional conferences) the event will be based on an “un-conference” format allowing for break-out sessions, spontaneous question and answer periods and “action pitches.” The event will also feature an impressive lineup of innovators and educators, including robotics expert and CEO of Barobo, Graham Ryland, former member of the Google Goggles Team, Dr. Alex Terrazas and innovation expert and former stand-up comic Allen Fahden.  

Adding to the diversity of speakers, the Un-Conference will offer talks by Allan Katzen, owner and operator of Sacramento's Game Truck, "the world’s first mobile video game theater franchise," social entrepreneur and civic innovator Ash Roughani and Andrew Lee, Chief Innovator and Co-founder at iHomeEducator®.

But, in between speakers, it’s anybody’s game! Participants will host their own sessions, and multiple conversations and presentations will go on throughout the day for anyone to wander into and out of. It will be slightly chaotic, and, according to Chazen and Van Norman, “that’s actually the point -- too much structure can stifle creativity and innovation because there is no room to grow. Attendees are encouraged to contribute to the process, instead of just being spoon-fed other people’s ideas and experiences.”

In fact, it is this very problem; the lack of interactivity and engagement with information, that Education Supercollider is targeting.  If the classroom, or any organization for that matter, is too top heavy and rigid, people get bored and feel ineffective. But, open this process up, allow humans to be their natural inventive and curious selves, and everything changes. Classrooms where students are co-creators of the learning experience are much more fun and effective.

The event will take place on Friday, November 30 from 9 to 5 p.m. at Hacker Lab, Sacramento’s newest co-working, bootstrapping and startup space. The Education Supercollider (Un) Conference is sponsored in by The Education Now 2012 Symposium and iHomeEducator, Inc..
 

For tickets and more information, please see: Eventbrite (Un) Conference Tickets





Monday, November 12, 2012

Why Every School Needs an 'Innovation Day'

I think this post makes an excellent argument in favor of less structure - instead of more in the classroom. Less structure, i.e. free innovation time, inspires creativity, problem solving and "curiosity-based" learning.  Sure, there's a time and a place for structured - prepare-for-the-test learning, but why not free up 20 percent of the time for pure innovation?

Why Every School Needs an 'Innovation Day'

Thursday, November 08, 2012

Cereal Hack is Coming to Sacramento

http://cerealhack.com/

http://educationsupercollider.eventbrite.com/#

Graham Ryland, Maker of Modular Robotics, to Speak at (Un) Conference in Sacramento

Graham Ryland, founder and head engineer of Barobo, is just one of several innovative people to join the list of speakers at our event on Nov. 30th. His company, located in West Sacramento, CA is developing robots for use in the classroom - specifically to help with STEM education.

Graham Ryland is passionate about creating robots that inspire young people to pursue a career in engineering and science. He focused on modular robotics for his graduate work at the University of California, Davis, and later co-founded Barobo, Inc., an educational robotics startup along with his faculty advisor Harry Cheng. Graham is currently the president of Barobo Inc., creating robots for transformative K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. Additionally, Graham is the Principle Investigator for a National Science Foundation SBIR Phase II grant supporting Barobo in its goal of making research grade robotics accessible to middle school and high school classrooms.

To attend, sponsor, exhibit or speak at our event, please sign up at: The Education Super Collider (Un) Conference.

Tuesday, November 06, 2012

Most ed-tech startups suck! Here’s where they’re going wrong.

Most ed-tech startups suck! Here’s where they’re going wrong.

This is one of many reasons why we're hosting this event -- so we can get developers talking to teachers. It could lead to better product development.

Mediocrity versus Mastery: The Case for Game-Based Learning - Forbes

Mediocrity versus Mastery: The Case for Game-Based Learning - Forbes

The Education Super Collider (Un) Conference


Imagine a super collision between all the forces driving innovation in the field of education. Imagine further if this were done in a way to encourage collaboration, creativity and the free exchange of new ideas. This is not a "sit in your seat and take notes" kind of conference. This is an (un) conference with both structured and non-structured segments. There will be presentations, action pitches, break-out sessions and panel discussions. In fact, by attending you'll be determining the outcome of this event. We wanted to design it in a way that matches the possibilities for the future of education - an event which is emergent, adaptive, experiential and curiosity-based. 

Brought to you by:  The Education Super Collider and Hacker Lab.

Sponsored in part by:  The Education Now 2012 Tele Symposium

Who is invited: Innovators, entrepreneurs, service providers, technology experts, educators and business developers, i.e. people who want to share new, disruptive technologies and ideas.

Purpose

  • to introduce new concepts, innovations, applications to teachers at all levels
  • to give teachers a chance to share ideas that are working in their classrooms
  • to improve teaching / instruction and overall classroom performance
  • to help facilitate the growth of businesses in the educational space
  • to build collaborative networks

Format: It’s an “unconference” designed to allow a free and open exchange of ideas. Speakers can sign up before the event or upon registration and will be given anywhere from 2 to 15 minutes to make a presentation. There will be two break-out sessions or workshops during the day to allow for networking, collaboration, instruction, feedback from participants and the facilitation of ideas and plans.

Note: All major presentations (in the 8 to 15 minute range) must be pre-approved and will be considered on a first come-first served basis.

Speakers (who sign up before the event) get

  • a chance to debut your disruptive idea or product
  • two free tickets (one for you and a friend/ colleague)
  • name / company information on all marketing material
  • great networking and collaboration opportunities

Sponsors get

  • company information and links on all conference materials, including un-conference website
  • 4 free tickets to the event
  • an opportunity to present
  • booth space

Exhibitors get

  • booth space at the event
  • 3 free tickets
  • company information and links on all conference materials, including the un-conference website

Join us and get to your "next level" -- sign up today! Don't forget to tell a friend or colleague.