SETDA's EdTech Update

In the left column of the Blue Skunk Blog, you can now find a small banner that reads "Ed Tech Update" It's a widget that looks like this:

I don't know a lot about this project, but I do know SETDA is a reputable organization, and if they are sponsoring the site, it should be pretty good. Here is the dope I got about it:

EdTech Update, brought to you by SETDA (The State Educational Technology Directors Association), is now up and running, but will officially launch on February 26th. You can check out the site here: http://www.edtechupdate.com/

The site and newsletter will feature content from thought leaders like Steve Anderson, Scott McLeod, EdFly, Christensen Institute, Digital Learning Now, and many others.

Despite not being single out by name (I guess I am an "and many others"), this site is worth a look. The biggest challenge most of us face with our PLNs is finding a means to filter the content so we only need spend time with what is relevant, original, and smart.

The Culturally Proficient Technologist in Ed Leadership

"The Culturally Proficient Technologist" my Power Up! column in ASCD's Educational Leadership, March 2015, is now online. Enjoy.

Asking the right question about home Internet access

Like a number of districts, we need to assess the number of student households that have home Internet access. Knowing the percent of students who can participate in online activities, access online resources, and do independent research online at home will inform our decisions around the practicality of making blended learning a bigger part of our instructional program.

But doing a survey simply asking "Do you have Internet access at home?" is insufficient and may not be reliable.

In an interesting article that appeared on qz.com, polls showed that a sizeable percentage of people said they used Facebook but were NOT on the Internet. ("Millions of Facebook users have no idea they're using the Internet", February 9, 2015") While those surveyed were from Indonesia and Nigeria, I wonder just how many students - and even parents - may not know if they are using the Internet when accessing Facebook, YouTube, or streaming Netflix content?

So might the question of Internet availability be more reliable if we asked:

1. Do you access your Facebook page from home?

2. Do you stream Netflix movies or play YouTube video at home?

3. How can you search Google from home? (Check all that apply)
____ A computer
____ A cell phone
____ A tablet
    ____ I cannot search Google from home

5. If you have a computer or other device at home which allows you to access the Internet, how many family members use it?

Has your district surveyed parents or students regarding the availability of the Internet from home? What questions were most useful? What process?

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