As the world continues to adjust to the impact that COVID-19 has had on all aspects of our daily lives, schools are making plans for next year. In this challenging time, no one can be fully sure when students will return, but most are certain it will not be until the start of the 2020-2021 academic year if not a bit later. In order to best be prepared for a healthy and safe return to school, there are a few things that schools will need. Continue reading
The Douglas Stewart Company and our vendor partners know that this is an extremely challenging and uncertain time for everyone. We are committed to providing the help and support that our reseller partners and their schools need. We compiled a comprehensive list of our vendor partners who have created specific support and free resources for … Continue reading
Recently here on VAR Connection, we have been writing a lot about eLearning and COVID-19. We have seen the impact this virus has had education and our communities, and we want to offer as much support and insight as possible during this time.We have compiled all of our posts about eLearning here, and will continue to update this post as we write more. Continue reading
Genius hours are a fairly new trend in education. The concept behind them is simple- students have one hour a week to explore and learn about whatever they want. The idea is that giving students the freedom to explore the topics they are passionate about helps them stay engaged and retain information. Continue reading
Social media outlets continue to adjust their algorithms to better accommodate and encourage video – is it time for teachers to do the same? In the digital age, nearly everything we see online has been customized so that it appeals specifically to us. Things are, in fact, getting personal. Education is no exception to this … Continue reading
As children become more “plugged in”, principals have been tasked with a difficult decision—how can educators use these devices while also balancing their potentially harmful effects. While technology can help prepare students for success in school and beyond, things like screen time and social media are weighing heavily on principals’ minds as they decide whether to invest in more tech-based products. Continue reading
2019 was another year of growth and progress in education, and we loved every second of it. This year on the blog, we’ve gotten to explore everything from cyber security hygiene in schools to how EdTech is fighting climate change. It’s been a great year, and we are so thankful to have shared it with … Continue reading
What is gamification? Gamification is a technique that leverages people’s natural desires for socializing, competition, achievement, status, self-expression, altruism or closure. The idea is to apply game-design thinking in non-game applications, and in education that usually means applying game-based concepts to content in order to meet specific learning outcomes. How does gamification help people … Continue reading
It’s been fifty years since Sesame Street started captivating students and educators alike, and ten since the show launched STEM-specific segments. With catchy songs and witty skits, it’s no surprise that children who grew up watching the show credit it as being one of their first teachers. Read on to find out how the show is helping students learn about STEAM and STEAM. Continue reading
As the people who spend the most time interacting with students, teachers are often the end-users when it comes to edtech products. Their influence can be underrated by edtech sales and marketing professionals because they are not always the decision makers for their schools or districts. Continue reading
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