iPads, MakerEd and More in Education

Today, a day without tech being used in the classroom would be an unusual day indeed. In fact, according to a survey by Front Row Education, 75% of teachers say they use technology daily with their students. Tablets and laptops are now common in many classrooms. These devices can be loaded with education programs and apps for students, and using this kind of technology makes it easy for teachers to track student progress.

On the cutting edge of ed-tech you’ll find tools like virtual reality and 3D printing. By using virtual reality technology, like Google Glass, students can visit other locations without ever leaving their desks. These tools use 3D imagery to make the wearer feel like they’re exploring a realm in person. 3D printing also gives students opportunities to explore cutting-edge concepts in the classroom. Students can design objects on a computer and then “print” them out on a 3D printer, which uses plastic or other materials to create the object. These kinds of technologies may currently be cost prohibitive for many schools, but you’re likely to see them being adopted by classrooms in the coming years.

Our job as citizens requires more than just being informed. We must also be vigilant about verifying information before posting it on social media. While taking a second look at claims made by politicians and even journalists is a start, we still can’t outsource our brains and our judgment, says Tess Jolls, president of the Center for Media Literacy. “In my view, we have to look as critically at the fact-checking sites as we do the news articles themselves,” she says.

A good fact-checking site uses neutral wording, provides unbiased sources to support its claims and reliable links, says Frank Baker, author of Media Literacy in the K-12 Classroom and creator of the Media Literacy Clearinghouse. He adds, “Readers should apply the same critical thinking/questioning to fact-check sites.”

Here's a rundown of 10 of the top fact- and bias-checking sites to share with your students.