Classroom
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Google adds auto-transcription and simplified grading to its education tools
Google has given Classroom and Workspace big upgrades that include tools to help students catch up when they miss classes.
Sphero acquires LittleBits and its set of scientific toys
The popular STEAM education company Sphero announced today that it has acquired LittleBits. You may remember LittleBits as the company behind toys that teach kids about electronics, and Sphero has made a name for itself creating educational coding robots. Together, the companies plan to bring STEAM and coding products to more classrooms, homes and educational programs.
iRobot enters the classroom with acquisition of Root Robotics
iRobot, the company behind the Roomba, is about to do more than vacuum your house, mop your floors and mow the lawn. Today the company announced that it's acquired Root Robotics, and it will add the Root educational coding robot to its lineup.
New Google Classroom feature forces kids to answer questions
As it launched a whole new suite of devices, Google was also updating its tools for educators, Google Classroom. In a blog post, Classroom product manager Lisa Wang outlines a new system to encourage engagement from students in class. Student Selector is, essentially, a way to randomly select kids to answer a question rather than waiting for hands to go into the air.
School internet filter maker launches suicide risk detector
A company that makes internet filters and Chromebook management software for schools is launching a product today that detects when K12 students are at risk of suicide or self harm. GoGuardian serves about 4,000 school districts in the US, totaling about 5.3 million students, and is meant to act as "an early-warning system to help schools proactively identify at-risk students to quickly get them the assistance they need."
Japan trials AI and robots to boost English skills in schools
Under pressure to improve English skills among both teachers and students, Japan's Ministry of Education is turning to robots, according to NHK. Beginning in April, the ministry will launch a trial that will put English-speaking AI robots in around 500 schools throughout the country. The ministry will also reportedly make study apps and online conversation sessions with native English speakers available to students, and those efforts along with the robot initiative are all aimed at improving students' English communication skills.
Google adds lots of new tools to its Education suite
Summer break is normally a time for rest and recreation, but Google has been busy updating Classroom, Google Earth and other Google for Education tools in preparation for the next academic term.
Apple's free Schoolwork app for teachers is available now
Apple and education have been synonymous for awhile, and this morning the Cupertino company reiterated that relationship by releasing Schoolwork. The free app suite was originally announced at an education-focused event in Chicago, and now, three months later Apple is ready to let teachers kick the tires.
Chinese school uses facial recognition to make kids pay attention
Civilian surveillance in China has seen a boom in recent times, with facial recognition leading the charge in the technologies used to keep tabs on the population. Police are scanning travelers with facial recognition glasses, authorities are using the tech to monitor ethnic minorities -- now the Orwellian technology has a new target: kids. According to government-run Chinese website Hangzhou.com, a school has installed facial recognition technology to monitor how attentive students are in class.
3Doodler's latest kits help kids draw 3D shapes in the classroom
Since it crowdfunded on Kickstarter back in 2013, 3Doodler has come out with multiple versions of its 3D-printing pen -- including a kids version and a pro version -- as well as themed kits focusing on architecture, robotics and other STEM activities. Now, the company is launching kits designed specifically for classroom use.
Microsoft wants OneNote to be the go-to classroom app
Microsoft has been quietly focusing on the education market with its OneNote app for some time now. It's offered free Office 365 subscriptions for students, an integrated math tutor and a classroom-centric add-on called OneNote Class Notebook. The company has just updated OneNote with even more educational extras, including improvements to Notebook, new learning tools and some fun new stickers that teachers and students can use to spice up their collaborations.
Google Tango shows how AR can improve virtual field trips
Google didn't have a ton of new things to say about its Tango augmented reality tech during today's I/O developer keynote. Instead, the company wanted to flaunt what Tango is already good at -- namely, the type of educational Expedition experiences that were briefly shown off yesterday. Daydream's education lead Jennifer Holland said that over two million students and teachers have taken advantage of what Tango can offer in a school setting. "One of the most important things my team has learned is you need to embrace they key functions of a classroom," she said.
Google's Classroom is open to anyone with an urge to teach
Forget those pesky teaching qualifications, because Google has now found a way to make educators out of us all. Starting today, any Google Classroom user will be able to create their own classes. Working as an app or via desktop, what started as merely a service to organize coursework now lets users share their own wisdom. Previously, in order to create and attend classes you'd need a G Suite for Education account, now anyone with a Google account can enjoy its benefits.
Professor uses facial recognition to spot bored students
If you've been to college or university, you'll know the feeling: when your professor drones on for hours on end, but you're hesitant to bring it up out of politeness (or fear of said professor's wrath). You won't have to be quite so shy in Wei Xiaoyong's science classes, though. The Sichuan University educator is using a custom-built facial recognition system to scan students' faces and determine whether or not they're bored. The approach gauges the emotion in your face over time, helping Wei refine his lectures so that he doesn't lose your interest.
Dell made a 70-inch touchscreen for schools
Forget chalkboards and whiteboards in the classroom -- Dell thinks tech is the answer. It's launching a 70-inch touchscreen, the C7017T, that's designed to replace interactive whiteboards in schools and boardrooms. You probably wouldn't want this at home given the 1080p resolution, but it can handle 10-finger touch and includes two pens for collaborative sessions. More importantly, it's downright frugal compared to Microsoft's 84-inch Surface Hub. Dell's $5,000 price doesn't include a computer, but it's still going to take a much smaller bite out of the school budget.
The good and bad sides of Apple's classroom hardware initiative
In late 2014, Apple announced that it would donate iPads, Macs and Apple TVs to 114 "underserved" schools as a way of getting more technology in the hands of those who don't have as much of a chance to use it. With the program well underway, The Wall Street Journal published a report on the good and bad sides thus far. While some studies have shown that schools in which students that heavily use technology actually do worse than students who do so moderately, a big part of that problem comes from not having curriculum developed that the hardware can enhance. In the case of Apple's trial, the company is providing an employee to spend 17 days per year at each school to help build lesson plans that take advantage of the company's hardware.
HP's 3D-scanning Sprout Pro PC is built for schools
HP originally pitched its 3D-scanning Sprout computer to creatives and hobbyists, but doesn't it seem like an ideal machine for curious classrooms? The company agrees, apparently. It's introducing the Sprout Pro, a version of the unique all-in-one for businesses and schools. It's brawnier (you get a 6th-generation Core i7 with improved graphics), but the big deal is the addition of software that makes it far more useful from groups. You can share the view from the scanner, the webcam or your screen, in case you want to show a project to the class -- you can even send 2D captures through Skype for Business. There are also tools that turn the downward-facing camera into a pro-grade document scanner and magnifier.
Bipartisan education bill makes computer science a priority
Yesterday, the president signed a new education bill designed to replace the 13-year old No Child Left Behind act, reducing federal controls on state education systems -- but it does something else, too. The Ever Student Succeeds act places computer science on the same level as other "well-rounded" subjects. Coding and computer literacy is now just as important as math and science.
Minecraft free for every Northern Ireland secondary school
Minecraft has been heralded for its focus on building, creativity and exploration. Players learn about architecture and construction, as well as the simple joy of self expression. The game's open nature has also given birth to countless mods that teach budding builders about coding, geography and art. Recognising its power as an educational tool, a free copy of the game is now being offered to every secondary school in Northern Ireland.
Apple is making it easier for schools to put iPads in classrooms
Apple's dreams of putting iPads in classrooms have run into a number of roadblocks, but one of the biggest is simply the amount of work involved -- each slate needs its own account, making it a nightmare if you want to outfit an entire school. That won't be a problem for much longer, however. Both MacRumors and 9to5Mac have discovered that Apple is ditching the requirement for individual IDs on school-supplied iPads as of this fall. Staff will just have to decide which devices get apps or books, letting teachers focus on the actual education instead of getting things running. They'll still have plenty of control, so kids can't load up on games and other distractions unless they get the green light. It's too soon to know if this will lead to more kids taking home tablets instead of textbooks, but there will at least be fewer barriers to making that happen. [Image credit: Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP/Getty Images]
