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The Effect of Technology on Education

The Effect of Technology on Education

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In a world of rapidly advancing technology, it can be difficult to sort the useful benefits of tech in the classroom from the distracting noise of marketeers. Of course, for every example of social-networks causing trouble in schools, there’s a story of a self-taught go-getter utilizing Internet resources for something beautiful. Just like in any era, our status-quo has its problems and dilemmas, but embracing technological solutions for educational issues should be lauded as the solution, not the problem.

The Effect of Technology on Education
The chalk board is being tabled in many classrooms in lieu of interactive assignments utilizing technology.

Many teachers are already using technology in education to reach more students, to communicate better with students, to demonstrate complex-concepts to students, and to inspire students to do more with their potential than they ever thought possible.

A major aspect of their success is properly choosing which technology is best for their specific situation. However, any teacher who tries their best to introduce their students to the latest technologies rather than seclude them in the darkness of last decades textbooks and documentaries is having a positive impact.

Technology is and always has been a tool; finding the right way to wield it is just as important as the difference between using an axe to build a home and using an axe to wage a war. For example, when trying to get students to work together, some teachers realize that they are already connected via popular social-networking sites that have options to share data and insight as easily as selfie-photographs and gaming invites.

If you have an active interest in utilizing more technology in education for your students, contact Labyrinth Learning!

Image Source: morgueFile

MOOCs Popularity Continues to Grow

MOOCs Popularity Continues to Grow

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MOOCs Popularity Continues to Grow
An increasing number of people are ditching the traditional classroom for MOOCs.

In case you hadn’t noticed, the Internet and its devotees have made significant inroads in the educational world with the introduction of something known as “massive open online courses” or “MOOCs.” The creators of these (usually) college-level courses have seen a massive rise in popularity as the “who, how and where” of the classes has been greatly expanded.

Similar to traditional courses, in that they offer such basics as “Intro to Calculus,” as well as more liberal arts minded classes, the number of people enrolled in a single class can reach into the thousands. Typically, the classes are free and available to anyone with an Internet connection. The only caveat is that a simple certificate is required as proof of completion.

Good luck, however, getting a conventional institution of higher learning to accept them for a traditional diploma. Colleges and vocational schools are engaged in a struggle with these online juggernauts and are not willing to make it any easier for them than necessary. In fact, many top-notch schools are starting their own MOOCs, and commecial vendors have also taken an interest.

While no one can tell the future, it seems that MOOCs are here to stay and that their popularity will only continue to grow in the coming years as they learn to better cater to their clients’ needs.

For more information on MOOCs, in particular, and on e-learning in general, please contact us at Labyrinth Learning.

Image Source: freedigitalphotos 

Technology Can Help Lower the Cost of Post-Secondary Education

Technology Can Help Lower the Cost of Post-Secondary Education

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The whole world acknowledges that a college degree is the key to success. Yet, nowadays the cost of higher education keeps many from attaining that goal. Technology in education has created great hope in lowering the cost of a college education.

Technology Can Help Lower the Cost of Post-Secondary Education
Technology has made earning a degree easier when costs are a factor.

The amount of free and reduced cost learning tools online is unprecedented due in part to the internet. Tools like YouTube and podcasts make it easy to create and distribute video and audio to anyone with an internet connection. Traditional universities, from Harvard to your local community college, are able to record lectures and other events from popular professors then share them online.

Online learning has made the cost of higher education more affordable for some. Working adults are able to take one or two courses at a time to complete associate, bachelor, master, and doctorate degrees. Students are able to read e-books, rent textbooks online, as well as access websites and databases that are tailored to the student’s program of study.

The cost of the tools needed to consume learning in an online environment has gone down as well. Smartphones and laptops can be purchased for as little as $200, making it available to those in lower economic brackets.

Technology in education has great potential to increase accessibility to those who may not have considered a college education. For ideas on how your school or program can utilize our tools for student success, give us a call at Labyrinth Learning.

Image Source: morgueFile 

Do Grades Still Hold Up in Higher Education?

Do Grades Still Hold Up in Higher Education?

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Do Grades Still Hold Up in Higher Education?Once upon a time, grading a student’s work seemed to achieve its intended goal. It began as an equilateral assessment tool to encourage students to learn and master given material. However, that module was also privy to subjection, systematic pressure and increasing awareness of learning differentials.

In other words, old school grades in higher education worked for some, but not enough for all. As blended learning continues to dominate the curricular landscape, the need for a fresher approach toward determining mastery of skills becomes imminent. So, how can this be done? A simple solution is changing who does the grading.

Peer grading has impressive potential for becoming an effective assessment tool for several reasons:

  • It teaches students equivocal responsibility.
  • It encourages honesty and integrity
  • It sharpens critical thinking and judgment
  • It facilitates constructive communication

Higher education is the learning realm where students began to apply what it means to be peers in an astutely professional sense. Peer grading is an excellent forum to establish a fair system for assessment and to put the aforementioned benefits into practice. There is also an inherent balance within knowing that the person you are grading will grade you, too. It is a subtle, yet proactive push toward peer consideration, development, and sensitivity. Of course, it is also a less biased way toward scoring assignments.

For more information about the current state of grades in higher education and blended learning systems, contact us at Labyrinth Learning.

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Does Digital Content Affect Reading Comprehension?

Does Digital Content Affect Reading Comprehension?

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Does Digital Content Affect Reading Comprehension?
Source: morgueFile

Many critics of the digital revolution are quick to mention that reading from screens makes for inferior reading comprehension. There is a rising belief that any knowledge gleaned from a digital source is somehow inferior to knowledge gleaned from a traditional paper source. A study in Scientific American makes a number of statements claiming the legitimacy of these fears.

However, what these types of studies fail to note is the perpetually shifting dynamic of technology in education. For example, this specific study is really only comparing the benefits of uniform paper books over the currently ubiquitous scrolling technique popular on most computers and ebook readers.

For a number of logical reasons, the familiarity of the same passage always appearing on the same page, in addition to visually seeing how much total volume of “book” you have completed and are still working on, is a superior choice to fluctuating page locations, text sizes, and representative “books” that offer little sensory perception that currently commonplace in the digital world.

It is quite clear that digital media content does not inherently decrease reading comprehension. As technology improves, the gap between new information and traditional books will decrease, but in the meantime, there are many other aspects to focus on for the benefit of students and teachers alike.

To stay up to date on the latest wonderful advancements in utilizing technology in education, please contact Labyrinth Learning today!

How Technology Can Help Students Learn

How Technology Can Help Students Learn

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How Technology Can Help Students Learn
Use these basic tips to meld technology into the classroom. Source: morgueFile

With the proliferation of social media sites and gaming apps, it’s easy to see why technology is oftentimes perceived to have a negative effect on our kids. But is it really that bad?

Technology isn’t entirely bad, especially when you consider the role of education technology (ed tech) plays in schools across the nation. When educators use technology in learning, these mentors are helping students use their mobile devices to their advantage instead of their detriment.

Here are a few effective ways to use technology inside the classroom:

  • Support open source technologies: You don’t have to spend a lot of money on ed tech. Open source applications are  free, and they’re also stable and versatile. You won’t have to worry about limiting yourself to one platform.
  • Support technology adoption: Transitioning to new technology can be challenging, especially if a solution has a learning curve. Make time for familiarizing yourself with a new technology so that you’ll be comfortable using it.
  • Support teacher empowerment: Ed tech empowers both the students and educators. You can help your students more if you use a solution that gives you the ability to do your job more efficiently and easily.

Need more tips like these? Visit us at Labyrinth Learning or send us a message!

Important Tips Every PowerPoint User Should Know

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PowerPoint is a potent tool for use in presentations. However, a combination of skill and experience on the part of the presenter can help make a good presentation into an outstanding one.

Important Tips Every PowerPoint User Should KnowHere are important PowerPoint tips for users:

  • Being legible is the single most important consideration for PowerPoint slides. Users need to choose readable fonts, while also making sure that the backgrounds don’t engulf the text. For example, users should never choose to a light-colored text with white backgrounds.
  • Based on the same reasoning, users should reduce the number of graphics included in their presentation. The right graphic at the right time and right place can lend a nice bit of impact to a slide, but a number of them on the same page can end up creating distracting clutter. In short, cut the graphic unless it is on point.
  • Bullet points might not be the best method to organize information being presented on the slides because it can cram too much information on single slides. Instead, give each bullet point its own slide so that the audience has time to read and absorb each one of them.
  • Make sure that the PowerPoint presentation can be shown no matter the computer that is being used to show it. For example, use common fonts in case the computer does not have the same selection installed as the one used to create the presentation.
  • Use the stopwatch feature while practicing to see the time spent on each part.

For more PowerPoint tips and eLearning tips, please contact us at Labyrinth Learning.

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Speed Up Microsoft Outlook with Simple Tips

Speed Up Microsoft Outlook with Simple Tips

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If you are familiar with Microsoft Outlook and have been using it for quite some time, you know that Outlook can slow down. If Outlook is not looked after properly, it can be just about useless to utilize. However, do not despair, because there are certain effective ways to speed up Outlook. Use these following tips to improve your Microsoft Outlook:

Speed Up Microsoft Outlook with Simple TipsUpdate Your Windows

Most people do not realize that Microsoft Office updates are always hidden, when it comes to standard Windows updates. Nevertheless, keep in mind that besides Office updates, you should allow other updates to go through in order to speed up outlook.

Download All Complete Items

When you connect your Outlook with POP3 or IMAP, you should set the Outlook to download all complete messages, instead of only the headers. If this isn’t practiced, Outlook will not have to synchronize with the server each time you click on new items.

Archive the Inbox

To speed up outlook, always archive all emails in your inbox. If this is not done, it can cause major issues with your Outlook.

Make Use of Cached Exchange Mode

If Cached Exchange Mode is used in Outlook, you efficiently take all the data files from the PST and cache it onto the OST (local machine). This can help towards speeding up Outlook, because it does not have to scan through all the data files across a particular network.

For more tips about speeding up your outlook, contact Labyrinth Learning today.

Image Source: Stuart Miles (freedigitalphotos)

How Windows 8.1 Will Improve Office Life

How Windows 8.1 Will Improve Office Life

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How Windows 8.1 Will Improve Office Life
Source: freedigitalphotos

Although Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 8.1 has its appeals for private consumers, it is also going to be powerful enough to fulfill the needs of modern businesses. No matter the exact duties and responsibilities expected of your position, Windows 8.1 in the office will help make it easier to live up to them.

Here are some of the features introduced in Windows 8.1:

  • Work Folders let you work with any device you want at any time. Even if you bring your work home on an unconnected device, your progress will be uploaded to the central server as soon as the device is connected to the Internet. In short, Work Folders give employees more freedom, without getting in the way of IT.
  • Windows 8.1 is meant to be more secure than its predecessors. One example is how Windows Defender is going to include network behavior monitoring, providing the OS with additional native protection against unauthorized intrusion. Furthermore, Microsoft has promised a decade of support for Windows 8.1, which will help keep its protections up-to-date for that period.
  • Microsoft is including native support for VPN clients, making it much easier for businesses to protect their data.
  • There are also numerous user experience improvements that will help make your office life more comfortable. For example, Windows 8.1’s search capabilities are going to be integrated with Bing, making it possible for you to search for anything from your user interface.

For help with the office software meant to go with Windows 8.1, please contact us at Labyrinth Learning.

How to Pick the Right Technology for Your Classroom

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How to Pick the Right Technology for Your Classroom
Source: morgueFile

With the boom of education technology (or ed tech), there are now more solutions for the classroom than ever. It’s great to have plenty of tech options to choose from, but it can also be confusing instituting them in a class.

The next time you find yourself wondering what solution to pick, simply view the situation from your students’ point of view. What will they find interesting and engaging? What will motivate them to study harder? What will they find easy to use?

Remember that even though ed tech is steadily growing, using technology in the classroom is still not fully mainstream. Some of your students may find it challenging to transition from traditional methods to tech solutions, so it’s advisable to anticipate what their concerns will be.

Also, don’t forget to check if the tech solution you’ll pick actually addresses the needs of your students. It’s easy  to be impressed by sleek designs and cute graphics, but it takes close attention to determine if a tech solution serves its intended purpose.

To discover more ways to make learning easier for your students, visit us at Labyrinth Learning and drop us a line. We’d love to hear from you!