Surface vs iPad – Can Microsoft offer schools more choice?

Apple had a big head start in the tablet market, but early this year Microsoft revealed its own strategy for taking on the iPad: the latest version of its Windows operating system, Windows 8, allows for a new breed of hybrid tablet PCs – part tablet computer, part laptop.

Inspired by Apple’s touch-based iOS system, Windows 8, which launched this autumn – is radically different from its predecessors. The system doesn’t even have Microsoft’s iconic ‘start’ menu. Instead, all applications are spread across a tiled dashboard, resembling road signs that can be navigated with a swipe of the finger on the display screen or with a keyboard and an in-built mouse pad. The tiles also provide a glimpse at the activity occurring in applications connected to the web, such as email.

Understanding cloud computing in the education sector

In the last few years the term ‘cloud computing’ has become synonymous with new software releases and internet-based applications. Yet whether you’re an EdTech enthusiast or a teaching professional who is indifferent to the use of educational technologies, cloud computing will become an increasingly important part of the way you store, access and manage your teaching resources and data.

Helping your child succeed at GCSE: A parents view

In any career path, good qualifications are becoming more and more important for successful entry and for progression. It is understandable, therefore, that most parents want the best possible education for their children, but they may perceive the education system now as a very different beast to what they experienced as students themselves.

Students study for longer and more efficiently with smartphones

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The mobile movement is a global phenomenon with smartphone and tablet adoption increasing worldwide. Smartphones are becoming indispensable to our daily lives and transforming the way we do things.

The adoption of smartphones has given rise to a massive shift in consumer behaviour – new data from StudyBlue® suggests that education is no exception.

Based on data of nearly one million students (conducted in 2011), those that use Android or iPhone learning apps spend an additional 40 minutes studying per week compared to those that use online-only platforms. Mobile learning apps such as LearnersCloud’s GCSE eLearning resources turn normally unproductive time into opportunities for study.

Top Tech Trends in 2013: Tablets in Education SPECIAL

Tech trends in 2013: Tablets in Education

We’d love to reveal new exclusives on revolutionary advances in educational technology but tech developments are evolutionary. Sustainability is essential and, although tame in their appearance, some exciting announcements head up next year’s trends: 

Is it any wonder GCSE students have low motivation?

Is it any wonder GCSE students have low motivation?

While the argument over GCSEs vs O-Levels rages, the debate seems to have passed by the only ones who will be directly affected by the exams.

GCSEs in the UK are hugely important to a student’s future, having a solid set of A*–C grades can often make the difference in job applications and apprenticeship take-up as well as enrolling on further and higher education courses.

Yet, as the scrutiny over the credibility of GCSEs rolls on, is it any wonder why learners are becoming increasingly disillusioned with the education system?