Latest education updates from around the world
Late to PSVR 2, ‘Beat Saber’ Continues to Dominate Most Downloaded Charts
Beat Saber, VR’s favorite block-slashing rhythm game, came to PlayStation VR 2 well past the headset’s February 2023 launch, coming to Sony’s latest VR headset in late May. And while Beat Saber topped the May charts within only one week of being available on PSVR 2, it seems the long-standing VR favorite is showing no signs of stopping.
In PlayStation’s June top downloads list, Beat Saber has made out as the top PSVR 2 download again. Here’s the full list, showing the charts across the US/Canada, Europe, and Japan.
US & Canada
EU
Japan
1
Beat […]
Asymmetric VR Game ‘DAVIGO’ Among Most-Played Steam Next Fest Demos
Steam Next Fest, Valve’s indie showcase featuring free demos for upcoming PC games, had the most demo downloads in Next Fest history last month, and among the top titles was the asymmetric VR game Davigo.
Valve announced the 50 most-played demos that made it big on June’s edition of Next Fest, something the company said accounted for 11.4 million demos played across the board.
And Davigo seems to have resonated with Next Fest visitors in June, becoming the only VR game to make the list. Valve ordered its list by unique player count, and Davigo managed to rank 25th […]
Google Introduces a New Notebook
Fourteen years after shuttering Google Notebook, Google is getting back into the online notebook business with a new tool called NotebookLM.
NotebookLM is a new product that utilizes AI to generate summaries, questions, and ideas from the Google Documents that you add into your notebook. It’s a beta product that has a waiting list. I’ve joined the waiting list and you can do the same right here.
Applications for Education
Google announced NotebookLM earlier this week. Based on what I read […]
Two New Google Bard Features to Try
This week Google added a handful of new features to Google Bard including support for many more languages. Two of the new features that jumped out to me were the option to use images as prompts and the option to hear Bard responses read aloud. Both of those features are demonstrated in this short video.
I was excited about the potential for image upload option to help find image sources and or to identify what is in an image. Unfortunately, in my early testing of Bard’s image upload feature it didn’t […]
Cybersecurity in the Classroom: What Teachers Can Do
Teachers can boost classroom cybersecurity with these resources, best practices, and more
3 simple ways educators and families can accelerate math learning
Key points:
The latest assessments have made it clear that math achievement has plummeted
A combination of home-school communication and play-based activities can help students struggling with math
See related article: We can teach math better–here’s how
As the most recent nation’s report card made painfully clear, American students are struggling in math. At the same time, administrators, teachers, and parents are finding new ways to help these students address learning loss.
During my 20+ years in K–12 education, I’ve seen technology play a growing role in making learning more accessible and effective. As schools explore […]
Best Kids Smartphones
In today’s post, we are shifting gears to focus on the best cell phones for kids. This might seem like a bit of a departure from my usual education-focused content, but in today’s digital age, having a cell phone has become almost as crucial as having a backpack for school. A cell phone can be an invaluable tool for communication, safety, and even education.
With countless models available, each boasting different features and specifications, selecting the perfect phone for your child can be quite a daunting task. That’s why I’ve taken the time to research and curate a list […]
The Best Smartwatches for Kids
In today’s post I’ll be sharing with you some of the best smartwatches for kids. These devices not only teach children about time management, but they also offer a range of interactive learning games, fitness tracking, and provide a safe way for parents to stay connected with their children.
Whether you are a parent seeking a useful tool to assist with your child’s learning and safety or a fellow educator searching for innovative edtech recommendations, this guide is for you. Join me as we delve into the world of kids’ smartwatches, and let’s discover together which device will […]
Best Free Virtual Labs
These best virtual lab sites and apps are all free, highly engaging, and informative—and most don’t require registration.
Best iPads for Teachers
As an experienced educator and a long-time edtech blogger, I’ve made it my mission to provide you with the most insightful recommendations to enhance your teaching experience. Today, I am excited to share my thoughts and advice on a topic that several of you has asked me about: the best iPads for teachers.
I must confess that I am a huge fan of Apple products. I’ve experimented with a wide array of gadgets from their extensive line-up over the years. The harmonious blend of functionality, design, and innovation in Apple’s ecosystem always manages to impress me and iPad is […]
Need LEGO Ideas? Take a Look at This!
Making things with LEGOs is one of my favorite indoor activities to do with my daughters. We’ve spent many rainy days building all kinds of things LEGOs. Often we follow the directions from a guidebook and sometimes we just make our own things. Every once in a while they ask for another LEGO guidebook.
I’m been happy to buy my daughters LEGO guidebooks even if they aren’t always patient as they wait for the Amazon delivery of those books. I recently, through Open Culture, learned of a remedy to that problem. […]
Math, Science, History, and Search Lessons Based on Baseball
Baseball is my favorite professional sport to watch. The Red Sox have been my favorite team for as long as I can remember which is why I still occasionally look through the baseball cards I collected as a kid. And going to last year’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony for David Ortiz was one of the highlights of my summer. All that to say, I was excited to see that this month’s issue of the Library of Congress Magazine features collections of baseball cards.
The Future of Generative AI in Edtech
Infusing AI into edtech will open a new world of teaching and learning opportunities
Best Tablets for Teachers
As an educator who has spent many years in the classroom, and as a seasoned edtech blogger, I’ve come to understand the unique needs that teachers have when it comes to technology. Being “in the trenches” as a teacher gives me firsthand insight into what works best in a classroom setting, and I’ve applied this knowledge to my tech blogging.
Over the years, I’ve used, tested, and reviewed numerous tablets, understanding their features, pros, and cons from an educator’s perspective. I’ve been there, juggling lesson planning, student engagement, administrative tasks, and technology integration, and I understand how the right […]
Best Tablets for College Students
My years in the trenches of education, coupled with my own academic journey, have given me a comprehensive understanding of the role technology plays in a student’s life. Completing my PhD didn’t just grant me a degree; it provided me with invaluable insights into the demanding academic life students navigate every day.
With this knowledge and experience, I believe I am well-equipped to guide you in choosing the right tech tools, especially when it comes to finding the best tablet for students. In this digital age, having a reliable tablet is not a luxury but a necessity. It can […]
The Best Tablets for Kids
As the digital world continues to evolve, technology has become a crucial part of children’s education and entertainment. With the right device, kids can explore a universe of knowledge while also having fun. However, it’s important to choose a tablet that’s safe, user-friendly, and packed with age-appropriate content. In this post, we’re going to look at the top five tablets for kids.
Related:
The Best 4 Ebook Readers
As an educator and an avid reader myself, I’ve spent countless hours with my nose buried in a variety of e-readers, devouring books of all genres (you can check out my detailed book reviews on my blog Selected Reads!).
Being a passionate edtech blogger, I’ve had the privilege of trying and testing various e-readers, diving deep into their features, benefits, and potential applications in the classroom and beyond.
My love for reading and my mission as an educator have motivated me to seek out the best e-reader devices in the market. And trust me, when it […]
The Best Kindles for Reading
In today’s post I am sharing with you some of the best Kindles for reading books. As an educator who has spent many years teaching in classrooms, I’ve seen firsthand the role that technology can play in enhancing the learning experience.
Over time, I’ve also grown into an EdTech blogger, sharing my knowledge and experience to help fellow educators make informed choices about the technology they bring into their classrooms.
Being in the trenches, as they say, gives me a unique perspective. I understand the needs of teachers because I am one. I know what works in real classroom […]
A Good Tool for Mapping Census Data
Earlier today I was looking for a dataset that I could use in a new data visualization tool that I’m testing out. That quest took to me the website of the U.S. Census Bureau. It was there that I went down a rabbit hole of looking at data. Eventually, I stumbled into a mapping tool that the U.S. Census Bureau hosts.
At Data.Census.gov you can find, read, and analyze data sets. Beyond that you can filter data sets and even create custom maps of the data sets. I lost at least an hour of my day […]
Roblox is Coming to Quest, Casting a Shadow on Meta’s Own Social VR Platform
One of the biggest names social gaming is coming to Quest. Roblox is home to tens of millions of daily users and user-generated experiences. “In the coming weeks” Roblox will launch on Quest, casting a shadow on Meta’s own social VR platform, Horizon Worlds.
A Curious Proposition
Meta confirmed today that Roblox is coming to Quest “in the coming weeks” starting as an Open Beta on App Lab before eventually graduating to a full launch on the main Quest store.
On one hand, the move is a win for Meta. Roblox is one of the most popular social gaming and user-generated content platforms; playing […]
An eBook for History Teachers and Their Students
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Earlier this year I listed the educational technology topics that I’m still passionate about after all these years. One of those topics is search strategies and discovery tools for students. To that end, I’ve recently updated my e-book on Teaching Search Strategies to History Students.
In my updated e-book Teaching Search Strategies to History Students I outline activities that you can use in middle school and high school classrooms (grades 5-12). When you purchase a copy of the e-book you can use the activities exactly as written (you have permission […]
What is Threads and What Are Educators Saying About It?
Meta’s new app, Threads, has been a major success but will educators move from Twitter?
What is Khan Academy Kids and How Can It Be Used for Teaching? Tips & Tricks
Khan Academy Kids is an app that makes eduction fun for a range of ages.
The Best 4 Laptops for College Students
In my time as a teacher, I have had the privilege of integrating edtech into my curriculum and, consequently, the opportunity to witness its transformative potential. My insights extend beyond the classroom, though. As an edtech blogger, I’ve been able to share my expertise with a wider audience and stay updated on the latest tech advancements that could benefit both students and educators.
Furthermore, my journey of earning a Ph.D. has given me a firsthand experience of the college student’s life, including their needs, challenges, and how the right tools can make a difference.
During those years, I tried […]
The Best 5 Laptops for Teachers
As a dedicated teacher who has passionately shared knowledge in classrooms for many years, I am intimately aware of the challenges we face in our profession, particularly when it comes to choosing the right technology tools.
Just like you, I’ve juggled lesson planning, grading, and delivering engaging lessons all at the same time. I’ve experienced firsthand the frustration of a slow computer when you have a classroom of expectant students or the trouble of a bad video call during a virtual class.
In addition to my time in the classroom, I’ve spent years as an EdTech blogger, navigating the ever-evolving […]