We are diving head first into the New Year with a look back at technology of the past that shaped today’s world and a look forward with some predictions as to what is to come. The year 1997 proved to be very innovative for the technology industry. We experienced Windows 95 Upgrade (startup and access), the Palm Pilot (synchronized data), Netscape (web browser battles), Real Player (music streaming), and much more. Moving into 2018, we throw out predictions related to data hacking, net neutrality pricing, Bitcoin acceptance, recreational drone use regulation, virtual reality, and 5G experimentation.

Teaching can be a lonely profession. Isolated in your own classroom pulling together your lesson plans. ClassConnect.com can give educators an opportunity to collaborate across the country, which is especially important with Common Core Standards being implemented.

We are featuring conversations from the CUE conference in Palm Springs where technology and education were center stage. CUE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community of connected educators focused on improving education for all learners and is the conference is a must go-to for educators. We talked with Kristina Ishmael (open educational resources expert), Hans Tullman (STEAM technology specialist), Matt Markstone (educator and former instructional technology coordinator), and Adrienne White (Director of Marketing for Ozobot). Topics range from media and information literacy, equity in the classroom, benefits of shifting away from traditional textbooks, importance of educator professional development, creating better citizens through instruction, and various technology in education talking points.