VARconnection

Transforming Learning with Video Games

With many new technologies in the workforce, engagement is critical to keep current on new information and mastering skills. However, keeping students engaged and trying to keep up with our fast-paced world can be difficult. The perfect way to keep students engaged is through video games. Video games capture attention, convert extrinsic rewards into intrinsic … Continue reading →

Impact of Technology on Education

It’s becoming easier than ever before to create an interactive classroom. While many classrooms have interactive technology, it will be a few years before schools have interactive whiteboards and individual tablets in every classroom. Flexibility with teaching methods Interactive displays allow teachers to think outside the box and integrate creative ideas when planning their lessons. … Continue reading →

Springfield Public Schools ‘IGNiTE’ Culture of Innovation Through 1:1 Initiative

Going 1:1 with mobile devices is no small feat for an individual classroom or school. Expand the initiative across an entire district, and logistical nightmares abound: infrastructure, maintenance, training, storage, security. The list goes on. So when the largest school system in Missouri introduced its district-wide 1:1 device plan, skepticism could have taken root. Instead, … Continue reading →

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July from The Douglas Stewart Company! We will not be publishing a blog this week, but we’ll be back next week. Our office will be close July 4th to honor the Holiday. Sincerely, The Douglas Stewart Company

Making Schools Safer Online

We hear about data breeches in retail and healthcare all the time because they are big targets for data thieves. But what about education? Breeches are very common in education. We don’t hear about the breeches often because they are typically smaller and nobody knows how many records were compromised. IT departments are taking notice … Continue reading →

Buying Decisions: How Customers are Influenced

Consumers do a lot of research before making a purchase. This research includes reading reviews and comparing product options. Education decision makers are no different. To help increase your sales, here’s what you should know about buying decisions. Peer reviews can make or break. Many decision makers turn to their peers for product advice. They … Continue reading →

How VR and AR are Helping Students Learn

Imagine how different your learning experience would’ve been if you could hold a beating heart when learning about anatomy, walk through the solar system when learning about planets, and take a trip to Australia to see a Kangaroo. Only Ms. Frizzle could take her kids on these trips in the Magic School Bus. Now today’s … Continue reading →

How the U.S. Ranks in AI Career Readiness

Businesses are adopting robotics and artificial intelligence rapidly throughout the world. However, the U.S. is trailing in how it is helping prepare young people for an automated workplace. According to a study, intelligent automation is boosting the relevance of STEM skills as well as soft skills. On the other hand, only a few countries are … Continue reading →

How to Increase Girls’ Interest in STEM

Last week we shared key takeaways from Microsoft’s Closing the STEM Gap report. Through this report, we learned why girls aren’t interested in STEM classes and careers. So how can districts increase girls’ interest in STEM? Provide exposure to positive role models. Girls expressed that they are more likely to show interest in STEM if … Continue reading →

Why STEM Classes and Careers Lack Girls

STEM careers are common in today’s world but we are lacking girls in the field. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the number of jobs for technology professionals will have the highest growth until 2030. To better understand why girls and women lose interest in STEM subjects and careers, Microsoft conducted research on 6,000 … Continue reading →