Heralding the need for a revolution in education, Sir Ken Robinson was the keynote speaker that kicked off the 39th annual Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC) in Orlando, FL. Robinson threw down the gauntlet to the educators in the room, insisting that they utilize technology in classrooms as a tool to create these kinds of engaging and dynamic learning experiences for all students.

So, what EdTech tools and resources did I see on the expo floor and in the session rooms that would help create the school culture envisioned by Sir Ken? Here are some that stood out:

Virtual Reality

  • Zspace – Z-space is a mixed reality learning ecosystem. Hardware, software, and content integration provide student-driven inquiry, risk-taking and collaboration. It is very cool to experience what I have always thought of as future-only educational tools.
  • Storyfab – Carrying the spirit of storytelling into augmented reality this tool allows students to be producer, director and distributor of their own stories.
  • Nearpod – Provides students and educators with the opportunity to create, curate and procure interactive, 3-D, group-enabled experiences.

Making and Creation

  • MakerBot 3-D Printing – This manufacturer has gone well beyond ensuring reliability and ease of set-up by having a library of lesson plans and a community of users.
  • LittleBits – This kit-based (with supplementary components) system provides the components to have students be designers, engineers, and documentation providers with and for each other.

Building AND Programming

  • Piper – A product that combines electronics and programming learning by utilizing Minecraft’s version of Raspberry Pi.
  • Pi-top –  Cost effective, rewarding of creativity in real-time and able to scale for group projects, this platform now supports students building either a desktop or a laptop.

Read the full article about EdTech tools by Erin Gohl at Getting Smart.