From the Editor

Where did January go? You'll see that there are lots of headlines this week, many coming out of announcements made at the Florida Educational Technology Conference. I didn't make it to FETC this year, though I've been at more of the shows 32 annual events than I care to admit. I have not had the chance to talk to anyone who did attend, but the show's 500 or so exhibitors were enough to keep anyone busy. This would be a good week to be sure you click though to the News Alert web site. When there is so much news, I only feature one headline from a company. Multiple releases from the same company, stories I typically post in the Announcements section and some releases about product updates are posted at the web site, so you will want to check to be sure you don't miss anything. Inside, a few thoughts on the latest survey from PBS LearningMedia about teachers and technology and the continuing stir around teacher evaluation.

Market Insights

Top 10 Marketing & Sales Tips to Help You Succeed in 2012

A new year, a new set of goals and aspirations! Whether your business works on a calendar or school year planning cycle, starting off 2012 with a pause to reflect on marketing and sales strategy always makes sense. With a marketplace that continues to be tight on spending—both at schools and in our own businesses—you need to make every part of your plan count. We asked industry colleagues and MDR experts for their tips on how to make the most of the New Year. Read on for more…

She Snoops for Scoops: The Personal Side of the EdNET Community

Oh my—we made it to the end of another week and the last Friday in January. I so cannot believe this month is already gone. I know a number of you have had a great week in Orlando at FETC—learning, making connections and enjoying the warm weather! Well, I have some scoops for you before you start your weekend so read on....

Featured News

Learning Forward Receives $1 Million Grant To Develop Professional Learning Tools for CCSS

Learning Forward — Monday, January 23, 2012

Learning Forward has received a $999,795.00 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to further its efforts in providing support to states adopting and implementing Common Core State Standards (CCSS). The grant will also support Learning Forward to create iPD (innovative professional development) technology and to continue its work in creating a statewide, comprehensive professional learning system to support educators as they implement CCSS and new student assessments.

National PBS Survey Finds Teachers Want More Access to Classroom Tech

PBS LearningMedia — Monday, January 23, 2012

PBS LearningMedia announced today findings from a national survey of teachers grades pre-K-12 that sheds light on the rising role of technology in America's classrooms, as well as barriers teachers face to accessing the "right" digital resources. Ninety-one percent of teachers surveyed reported having access to computers in their classrooms, but only one-in-five (22 percent) said they have the right level of technology. Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of teachers cited budget as the biggest barrier to accessing tech in the classroom. In low-income communities, this is an even greater challenge as 70 percent of teachers reported it as the greatest obstacle.

Metadata Specifications for Educational Resources Final Public Comment Period Ends January 31st

Learning Resource Metadata Initiative — Wednesday, January 18, 2012

The Association of Educational Publishers (AEP) and Creative Commons have opened the final call for public comment on the latest version of the Learning Resource Metadata Initiative (LRMI) specification. The current draft can be found at www.LRMI.net. General comments should be posted on the discussion board at www.LRMI.net; technical feedback is welcome on the LRMI mailing list at groups.google.com/group/lrmi. The public comment period ends January 31, 2012.