GPT, ESSER Funding, teacher shortages, and more. The education world is rapidly changing, so staying informed is critical. To help you stay on top of what's going on in the K-12 world and how Discovery Education supports the latest trends in education and EdTech, we're introducing the new series DE EdTech News Roundup!
Every two weeks, we’ll bring you a collection of news stories about K-12 teaching and learning, EdTech, and Discovery Education. Catch up on what’s trending, what’s new, and what’s happening in the world of education with this new series on the DE blog! For this first edition of the DE EdTech News Roundup, we’ll cover ESSER funding, digital learning innovations, STEM teaching, and highlight some words of wisdom from leaders in education.
ESSER Funding
Since three rounds of funding for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund were distributed in 2020 and 2021, they’ve been a topic of interest for educators, leaders, and parents. How will the funds be used? How should the funds be used? Read some of the newest updates on ESSER funding use below. For guidance on how to sustain your ESSER investments beyond 2025, check out our free ESSER funding guide to learn more.
Multiple states recently got approval from the U.S. Department of Education to spend the first round of federal COVID-19 relief funds.
Check out how Denver’s schools are using ESSER funds to produce real academic gains with resources from Discovery Education.
Research shows that students who complete CTE courses in high school are more likely to graduate and enroll in postsecondary education or succeed in work. Discover how ESSER, CTE, and Discovery Education combine in Delaware with support from DuPont to empower students.
Digital Learning Innovations
It can feel like there are new innovations in education every day—how can you stay up to date with these changes, let alone implement them? We’ve gathered a few news stories highlighting the latest trends in education and how educators are using them.
The right resources can inspire students and make learning more meaningful. This article from eSchool News offers insight from 5 educators about the digital learning tools they’ve found effective in their classrooms, including Discovery Education’s Pivot Interactives!
We’ve all seen and read in sci-fi about the power of AI to change the world and when ChatGPT hit the market in November 2022, education began to feel the impact. Now, GPT-4 (the most advanced version of OpenAI’s chatbot) was published on March 14. Why does this matter for educators? The free version of ChatGPT is powered by GPT-3.5. GPT-4 is even more intuitive, presenting a new world of opportunities, and challenges, for education.
Whether you’re new to Discovery Education or are a seasoned user who wants to take a deeper dive into DE, this article from Tech & Learning gives some great insight on how to use the award-winning K-12 learning platform and resources.
Virtual field trips (VFTs) are a fun and engaging way to connect students to the real world and take them to places they may never get to visit in person. Places like the Arctic tundra, behind-the-scenes at a Boeing facility, or seeing firsthand how the CMA Awards are produced. Check out this curated collection of the top VFTs, including some from Discovery Education with Comcast, Stanley Black & Decker, and First Lady, Jill Biden.
STEM Teaching
The STEM workforce has been steadily growing and will continue to grow exponentially as new technology continues to be released. Teachers are working to prepare students for the future, and STEM teaching is a major part of that preparation! Read along to learn about what educators are doing to increase STEM awareness, aptitude, and career exposure.
In this article from eSchool News, Discovery Education’s own Ted Willard, a science subject matter expert, shares how the Nature of Science distinguishes science from other methods of knowing and the implications of that for students.
A new research study conducted by Samsung shows that while educators agree that STEM is important for students, there’s a lack of STEM professionals in schools. Fewer staff members teaching STEM coursework is impacting students’ opportunities to experience STEM learning. Catch the highlights of this study in this report from The Journal!
An article eSchool News delves into the results of new research from YouScience about female students’ aptitude for STEM in comparison to their interest in STEM careers. Check out the article to learn more about the STEM career exposure gap for female students.
Insights from Education Leaders
We look to our leaders to help us drive efforts in reshaping education for the betterment of students. Read some sentiments from a leader in education that inspire a new wave of teaching and learning!
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona has called on state and local school leaders to focus their attention on creating more career and technical education programs, raising academic standards, and expanding mental health supports for students. Read Education Week’s summary of his speeches at the legislative and policy conferences for the Council of Chief State School Officers and the Council of the Great City Schools.
