Feb 03
The Kentucky Senate just passed a law that will let students take computer programming classes to satisfy their foreign language requirements. Do you think that’s a good move?
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Jan 31
All too often, computers in the classroom are treated like typewriters or filing cabinets — just a convenient place to type and store information. For teachers and students interested in creating better classrooms by engaging with technology in a deeper way, Writing Inventions: Identities, Technologies, Pedagogies by Scott Lloyd DeWitt is a must-read. In this book, Dewitt details why — and how — to use the web to transform learning.
Jan 30
Samsung has announced an upcoming Galaxy Tab designed specifically for educational purposes, which will launch in time for the next academic school year and will bring with it integration with … Continue reading
Jan 29
In 1934 the president of Northwestern University, Walter Dill Scott, predicted that technology would radically change the college experience.
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Jan 28
Apple, Microsoft & more praised in State of the Union for upgrading education
Posted in: Today's ChiliThe nation is all ears today as President Obama delivered his State of the Union address. As such, it will be highly unlikely anyone will miss the President’s special mention … Continue reading
Jan 28
Earlier today, it was revealed that Riot Games will be in attendance at this year’s GDC. The developer will host a keynote regarding online sportsmanship. After all, if anyone knows all about sportsmanship, it’d be the studio that made League of Legends, right?
Jan 27
Epic Games Partners With Staffordshire University To Help Provide Game Design Education
Posted in: Today's Chili
We’re sure there are many gamers out there who wish that they could learn how to create games just as good, if not better, than the ones that they love to play. Perhaps even land themselves a job at their favorite game studio too. Well that requires some level of education, whether self-taught or in school, but for those who are planning to enrol into a school, perhaps Staffordshire University could be one of your options. Epic Games has recently announced that they have formed a two-year partnership with Staffordshire University in which an Epic Games Centre will be create, which is basically a fully equipped space that students who are part of the university’s game design course can use.
The agreement will also provide students with the necessary hardware, the materials, as well as access to key personnel who will be able to help them further develop their game design skills. According to Staffordshire University’s Head of the Games Technology Group, Dr. Bobbie Fletcher, “We have many great courses here at Staffs but this partnership will give our students a deeper understanding of how theory is put into practice and a greater understanding of the commercial complexities of the development process.” This is a pretty cool-sounding course and will see Staffordshire join other universities in offering a comprehensive game design course.
Epic Games Partners With Staffordshire University To Help Provide Game Design Education original content from Ubergizmo. 
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Jan 19
If you have ever watched The Walking Dead or played Telltale’s version of the game, you know that there are times when tough decisions have to be made for the greater good. Given that we aren’t in those situations ourselves, it’s easy to judge and say that a character should have done this, should not have done that, and so on. Well apparently the ethical conundrum is prevalent enough in the game where it is actually being used to teach a class on ethics in a high school in Norway.
Like we said since we aren’t in a zombie apocalypse situation (yet), it’s hard to imagine how difficult it will be to make an ethical decision, even though it might seem wrong on the surface, but the students who participated in the game and played it in class for two weeks admittedly that they came across ethical dilemmas they would not have thought about otherwise. Polls are then taken when decisions are made (anonymously) to see which choices are the most popular, and then discuss the results. Ultimately students claimed that this method allowed them to better engage and remember the different ethical models.
Norwegian news outlet, NRK.no, recorded a segment of students participating in the class, a video which has since gone online with subtitles that you can check out in the video above. What do you guys think of this teaching model? Pretty cool, huh?
The Walking Dead Game Used To Teach Ethics In A High School In Norway original content from Ubergizmo. 
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Jan 15
Given that we’re used to writing up reports, sending out messages, clocking in reminders, and more using our electronic devices, the skill of penmanship could slowly become a thing of the past. I remember back in the day where schools taught kids how to write not just normally, but had classes where we were taught how to write beautifully as well, such as the intricateness of cursive writing, for example. Well it seems that handwriting is still an important skill to possess as one dad claims through his creation of the iTrace handwriting app. Developed by Michael Bogorad, he claims that the app was born from his need to teach his children how to write properly. (more…)
iTrace App Teaches Kids The Importance Of Handwriting original content from Ubergizmo. 
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Jan 15
Back in 2013, the LA school district thought it would be a good idea to start distributing iPads to its students and teachers, but unfortunately the restrictions placed around it were circumvented by students, ultimately leading the school district to halt the program and repossess the iPads that were handed out to students. However it seems that this little hiccup was not enough to deter the school district as they have renewed their iPad efforts and have announced that they plan on expanding the program to an additional 38 campuses before state testing this coming spring. According to the LA Times, the new proposal and distribution could cost tax payers and the school district around $115 million, and while the district could buy as many iPads as they want, they plan on keeping it below 67,500 units.
The tablets will be given to students, teachers, and administrative staff. Each iPad is said to cost around $768 and will include apps and tech support, although officials are attempting to lower the costs by $200-$300 of possible. For the sake of education, Apple too has decided to loosen the terms of the contract which basically forced the district to purchase older iPad models. However with the loosening of the contract, Apple will now provide them with the latest hardware. While there definitely have been hiccups in the program, it is without doubt that technology is becoming more prevalent in our education system these days and it seems that this is a good way to start. What do you guys think?
LA School District To Expand iPad Buying Program original content from Ubergizmo. 
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