Latest education updates from around the world

How to Use Flipgrid for Students and Teachers

By |May 25, 2023|

Flipgrid is an excellent video discussion platform that teachers can use to empower students voice and boost their creative thinking. The way Flipgrid works is simple: teachers create Groups for their class (a Group is a shared virtual space), then invite students to join. In Groups, teachers add Topics which are discussion prompts that students  respond to using short videos recorded by Fliprid camera. 

Creating videos on Flipgrid is both fun and engaging. Students do not only record videos but also apply various editing features, effects, and annotations to make their videos much more expressive. For instance, students can […]

Flipsnack- A Great Tool to Create Interactive Flipbooks

By |May 25, 2023|

Flipsnack is a platform  that helps you create interactive flipbooks. Using a simple drag and drop editor you can instantly design visually attractive magazines, newspapers, eBooks, resumes, book reports and many more. 

You can either create your flipbook from scratch or use ready-made templates that you can customize to your liking. Your finished flipbooks can be shared online, via email, on social media websites, or download them in different formats including JPG, PNG,PDF, Video, and GIF.

Interactive flipbooks tend to produce more engagement and enhance communication. For us in this education, interactivity is key to driving learning engagement. […]

VR Horror Hit Returns With ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted 2’, Trailer Here

By |May 25, 2023|

One of VR’s most popular horror games is getting a sequel. Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted 2 is officially heading to PSVR 2 and promises to improve on the original.

Developer Steel Wool Studios says that FNAF: Help Wanted 2 will bring new mini-games and feature familiar characters and locations from the series, while breaking new ground as well.

Help Wanted 2 will feel familiar to players who experienced the first game, but with all new games, locations, story, and animatronics. Do your best to complete your work as fast and as diligently as you can, but be careful. One […]

Classic VR Zombie Shooter ‘Arizona Sunshine’ Sequel Revealed for PSVR 2 & PC VR

By |May 25, 2023|

During PlayStation’s gaming showcase today, Vertigo Games unveiled the sequel to its classic zombie-shooting adventure, Arizona Sunshine (2016).

Dubbed Arizona Sunshine 2, the game appears to have taken a page out of Fallout 4’s book by including a four-legged pal named Buddy who seems to be eager as ever to help out in the wasteland.

Notably, the game’s reveal trailer is labeled as a ‘CG trailer’, so it’s unclear how much of the slapstick zombie abuse will translate into gameplay.

Here’s how Vertigo Games describes the sequel:

Welcome back to sun-kissed, zombified Arizona. Narrated by the unmistakable quips of our dark-humored protagonist, Arizona […]

‘Resident Evil 4’ Remake VR Mode Gets First Gameplay Trailer

By |May 25, 2023|

During PlayStation’s gaming showcase today, the company showed off some new footage of the official PSVR 2 mode of Resident Evil 4 (2023) remake.

There’s no news on when to expect the game’s VR mode, which has been previously confirmed to arrive as a free DLC upgrade.

Just as we expected with the inclusion of PSVR 2’s more advanced motion controllers, in a PS blogpost the creators say you’ll be able to swing around the game’s iconic knife and wield Leon’s powerful and varied arsenal with an immersive and authentic feel.

Resident Evil 4’s VR mode is still in […]

70% of the 20 Best-rated Quest 2 Apps are Now Available on Pico 4

By |May 25, 2023|

The standalone VR market is continuing to grow, and with it, we’re increasingly seeing platform competition for quality content. Pico made its biggest push into consumer VR so far with the launch of the Pico 4 last year, and the company has been gaining ground on getting top VR content onto its store.

Top Quest Apps Showing up on Pico 4

Looking at the 20 best-rated apps on the Quest store (data as of April 2023), to date 70% of the list is available on Pico’s standalone headset:

Title
Pico 4
Quest 2

Moss: Book II

The Room VR: A Dark Matter

Puzzling Places

Walkabout […]

Best News Websites and Current Events Sources for Students

By |May 24, 2023|

News reading is an important literacy practice that helps students not only improve their reading and literacy skills but also develop  global awareness and intercultural competencies preparing them to become responsible global citizens.

As I argued in Teaching with News, it is not only about reading news but more importantly how to read and interpret news. In other words, our students need to develop critical media literacy skills to be able to critically engage with news articles and understand global contexts.



Besides empowering our kids and students with the tools […]

Some of The Best Free Digital Storytelling Tools for Teachers

By |May 24, 2023|

Digital storytelling can be an effective way to engage students in hands-on and creative learning experiences. We all love stories and stories have the potential to intrigue, immerse, and educate in various ways. 
As teachers and educators, we need to draw on the expressive and communicative strength of digital storytelling to provide students with optimal learning experiences where they get to engage wholly in the learning process: mind, body, and spirit.

 

In today’s post, I am sharing with you this collection featuring some of the best web tools you can use with students to create digital stories. The tools […]

Andragogy: A Comprehensive Guide for Teachers and Educators

By |May 24, 2023|

Andrag is an important concept in the field of adult learning and education. It refers to the principles, methods, and strategies used to effectively teach adults. This post will provide a deeper dive into these principles, exploring how they can be applied in practice to create effective learning experiences for adult learners. We’ll look at topics such as self-directed learning, problem-based instruction, experiential learning techniques and more.




I. Historical Background of Andragogy

A. Origins of the term andragogy

Andragogy, a term derived from the Greek words “andr,” meaning man, and “agogus,” meaning guide or leader, was […]

Understanding the SAMR Model for Teachers

By |May 24, 2023|

With the increasing integration of technology in our classrooms, educators are faced with pedagogical concerns regarding its effectiveness in transforming education and creating optimal learning experiences.

Every educator leveraging technology in their instruction has likely pondered questions such as: Is technology always suitable for every instructional task? Does it enhance student learning? How do distracting features accompanying this technology impact learning?

The strengths and weaknesses of technology in education have been widely explored in numerous studies. Our approach to technology should celebrate its strengths and capitalize on the advantages it offers in education while diligently raising awareness of its drawbacks […]

An Extensive Glossary of Math Terms for Students

By |May 24, 2023|

In today’s world, mathematics plays a crucial role in various fields in our daily life. For students, having a solid foundation in mathematics is essential for their academic and professional success. However, mathematics can often seem intimidating due to the vast number of terms, concepts, and rules. 

To help students build their mathematical knowledge and ease their learning process, I have prepared an extended glossary of math terms. This glossary serves as a comprehensive reference, covering fundamental concepts to more advanced topics in a concise and accessible manner.

The primary goal of this glossary is to provide students with a […]

Google Bard vs ChatGPT: Teacher’s Guide

By |May 24, 2023|

As an educator deeply passionate about the potent synergy of AI and teaching, I am always on the lookout for innovative technologies that could revolutionize our classrooms and learning environments.

Recently, Google launched its new AI language model, Bard. And let me tell you, it has quickly climbed to the top of my list of exciting AI developments. Ever since its launch, I’ve been experimenting with Bard, exploring its potential and the ways it could be leveraged in the realms of education and professional development. And the journey, so far, has been nothing short of impressive.

However, as I […]

The 10000 Hours Rule: Why Hard Work is Essential for Success

By |May 24, 2023|

Do you ever wonder why some people seem to be more successful than others? It could be because they understand the power of hard work and dedication. This concept is famously known as the 10000 Hour Rule, which states that it takes roughly 10,000 hours of practice for a person to become an expert in something.



To put this into perspective – if someone practices for 5 hours each day, it would take them around 2 years to reach mastery level. This rule has been proven time and again by highly successful individuals from all walks […]

The Best 5 Android Apps for Kids in 2017

By |May 24, 2023|

In this digital age, technology has revolutionized the way children learn and interact with the world. Educational apps have emerged as powerful tools, turning screen time into an enriching learning experience. These apps make learning interactive, engaging, and fun, ensuring that children absorb knowledge more effectively.

Whether it’s understanding the mysteries of the universe, learning shapes and colors, honing numerical skills, or even building a virtual town, there’s an educational app for everything. As an educator with extensive experience in edtech research, I have seen the profound impact these tools can have on a child’s learning journey.

In this […]

Here is How to Create A Classroom Blog Using Blogger

By |May 24, 2023|

In the digital world, blogging has emerged as a potent educational tool, combining creativity, interaction, and in-depth exploration of topics. By incorporating blogging into your pedagogical repertoire, you can not only elevate your teaching methods but also unlock an array of learning opportunities for your students. 

Educational blogging offers a multitude of avenues to enrich your instructional techniques. You can use it as a platform to showcase students’ accomplishments, share resources beyond the curriculum, establish a virtual hub for remote student interactions, and maintain a consistent line of communication with parents and the wider school community. 

Moreover, it can […]

What Is Classroomscreen and How to Use It with Students in Class?

By |May 24, 2023|

Classroomscreen is a platform that offers numerous tools to help you create optimal learning experiences for your students. The way it works is simple: You project the tool for the whole class to see and start using the embedded widgets. 

There are widgets for monitoring students noise, timing activities, gathering students feedback, creating random groups, polling students, drawing, sharing multimedia resources, and many more. 

Classroomscreen supports various languages and can be used with students from different grades. While you can use Classroomscreen without registration, having an account will enable you to unlock several features including the use of Group […]

PSVR 2 Outsold Original PSVR in First 6 Weeks, Sony Confirms

By |May 24, 2023|

Sony revealed PSVR 2 outperformed the original PSVR in sales in the first six weeks, taking a strong early lead over the company’s first-gen PlayStation headset.

An investor relations presentation delivered by Sony Interactive Entertainment chief Jim Ryan includes some new information detailing PSVR 2 units sales relative to the original PSVR launched in October 2016.

According to a chart in Ryan’s presentation, Sony’s latest headset has sold 8% more than the original in the first six weeks, ostensibly spanning from its February 22nd, 2023 launch to April 5th.

Image courtesy Sony

The graph’s y-axis is unlabeled, although it’s likely those […]

Ten Ways to Use Adobe Express in School

By |May 24, 2023|

I’ve made a handful of videos about using Adobe Express in your classroom. Those videos include making videos with Adobe Express and making custom QR codes with it. Those are just a couple of the many ways to use Adobe Express in your classroom. Let’s take a look at some of the many ways that you and your students can use Adobe Express.

Graphic Design
Create graphics like posters, announcements, and Internet memes.

Students and teachers can create simple posters to print and post in their schools to announce club meetings, campaigns […]

Short Video Lessons About Memorial Day

By |May 24, 2023|

Next Monday is Memorial Day. Students often confuse the origin and purpose of Memorial Day with those of Veterans Day. The following videos can help students understand the origins and meanings of Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

The Meaning of Memorial Day is a two minute video covering the origins of the holiday in the United States. The video is embedded below.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers the following video overview of the history of Memorial Day.

Jocko Willink isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I enjoy his podcast and […]

Apple Invites XR Media Outlets to WWDC Keynote for the First Time

By |May 24, 2023|

Apple has sent invitations to its upcoming WWDC keynote to select media outlets, including Road to VR.

Apple has historically not invited XR media to its events, let alone commented in any way on its XR R&D that has been reportedly happening behind the scenes at the company for years.

Road to VR is among the XR media outlets who have received an invitation to Apple’s WWDC keynote for the first time. Our friends at UploadVR confirmed the same.

It’s difficult not to interpret the invitations amidst the growing number of reports that Apple plans to reveal its […]

A Good Way for Students to Visually Compare the Sizes of Countries and States

By |May 23, 2023|

My students here in Maine always think of our state as being a big place and it is big in relation to the rest of New England. Compared to our friends in the west, Maine is a small place. Similarly, they sometimes have trouble understanding the size of the lower 48 states compared to Canada. The following tool can help students understand the size of their countries and states in relation to others.

The True Size Of… is a free web tool that lets you quickly compare the size of two countries or two […]

Search Options When Your District Blocks Google Search

By |May 23, 2023|

Late last week I got the following email from a reader:

 

Recently our district blocked Google Search. My teachers are frantic as to what to use for kid research etc….What are some of your go to search/research websites that do not link to Google?
My first sarcastic thought was to Google some suggestions 🙂 But I didn’t need to do that because alternatives to Google search is a topic that I’ve covered in many posts over the years. If you find yourself looking for alternatives to Google search, here are some options to try. 
Bing

7 New Metaverse & VR Education Tools to Watch

By |May 23, 2023|

Some new metaverse for education and VR tools that have recently caught the eye of award-winning educator Phil Hintz

Stealth Action Classic ‘Budget Cuts’ Comes to PSVR 2 & Quest with ‘Ultimate’ Edition in June

By |May 23, 2023|

The newly announced Budget Cuts Ultimate, which combines both Budget Cuts (2018) and Budget Cuts 2 (2019) stealth action games into a single experience, is set to launch on PSVR 2 and Quest 2 next month.

Budget Cuts Ultimate is set to bring both games to those respective platforms for the first time, launching on June 1st.

Originally released on PC VR and the original PSVR, Budget Cuts makes use of a unique portaling system that completely rethinks teleportation in VR as we know it. Not only can you pop around corners like a ninja, but also throw knives through portals, making […]