Edsurge is a company that looks at technology integration in the classroom as a way to improve outcomes for K-12 and Higher Ed learners. The main goal of Edsurge is not just to offer insight through articles, reviews and blog posts, although this is one part of the plan. A second part of the Edsurge package is the Digital Learning Network, a project with the support of Melinda and Bill Gates foundation. The Digital Learning Network is a combination of information including edtech trends, as well as the review of a variety of education tools, job postings, research and events. On top of these regularly offerings, the Edsurge has created an interesting free service called The Loop.
The main website lists the following as the over-riding goals for the Company:
“Explore digital learning practices and products to improve equity, access and affordability for all students, with an emphasis on first-generation and non-traditional learners.
Connect higher-ed community members with one another and to sources of information and inspiration; we want to support you in co-creating, refining and disseminating your work.”
These goals clearly showcase the interactive nature of the relationship between user and Edsurge.
In the News section of the site, articles are listed by date and by special categories so finding an article on the “flipped classroom” was easy. Another important element of the News section is their research guides and podcasts link. As would be expected, job listings and edtech review are also apart of the news section.
More importantly, what makes this resource valuable to educators and EVAs is the fact that Edsurge is creating a community of digital learning leaders, educators and innovators. The Digital Learning Network is more than a depository for ideas, it is a collection of people that meet regularly and get access to trending ideas through a weekly update on Friday and a live twitter chat twice a week. The feature that made me latch on to Edsurge was The Loop
which analyses your chosen points of interest and your skill set and matches you with like-minded educators on a weekly basis to start one on one discussions and network. By offering to connect educators that share a passion for technology, Edsurge has created a very powerful tool for empowering educators to share innovative ideas that help us look at education from a new perspective. As the network of teachers grows around you, it becomes easier to find the type of solutions that drive real change. The FAQ link here helped me get a better idea of how the Loop works. At this time, The Loop is only available to educators at a university level, but what keeps me interested is the fact that it is a free service.
Edsurge is also found on the TEACH 100 list of top blogs (#30) and that was the starting point for my investigation into Edsurge.
