EYE ON EDUCATION Virginia Tech Provides Easy Access to Creative Tools
At Virginia Tech last fall, a new Prototyping Studio opened on the fourth floor of Newman Library. It is the newest in the library’s network of studios that includes the Studios Technology Lending Desk, Media Recording Studio, Virtual Environments Studio, and Fusion Studio, and will absorb the library’s 3D Design Studio. The goal of the technologypacked space is “to give students, faculty, and community members the ability to stretch their imaginations and prototype as easily as possible, all while building their confidence as creators and innovators.” All library studios are free for patrons to use. The Prototyping Studio features 3D printers (FDM, metal, resin, and bio-resin), a CNC milling router, laser cutter, vacuum former, PCB
since 1970. American students pay an average of $10,560 annually for tuition and fees, while students 50 years ago only paid $394. The cost of tuition at private institutions has also increased by 2,107 percent, from an annual cost of $1,706 in 1970 to $37,650 in 2020. Research shows that the disparity is even more extreme at private institutions. In 2021, students would have to work 100 hours a week, 52 weeks a year at the minimum wage to afford the average private-school tuition. Conversely, students in 1970 could afford college if they worked full time over the summer and 15 hours a week for the rest of the year. The report suggests that the current wage-to-tuition ratio makes it nearly impossible to afford private school tuition on minimum wage without external financial support. Intelligent.com collected the data for the report from the National Center for Education Statistics, the United States Department of Labor, EducationData.org, and the Economic Policy Institute. To access the complete report, visit intelligent.com.
Trends Emerge as Schools Pivot Between Remote and In-person
Former educator Abbas Manjee, cofounder of Kiddom, recently discussed four trends he’s spotted during the first post-COVID school semester.
Students work together in the Prototyping Studio at the Newman Library. Photo by Trevor Finney for Virginia Tech
mill, PCB printer, a large collection of electronics equipment, and a variety of hand tools for foam cutting, clay molding, carving, resin casting, sewing, and the ability to make both hard and flexible boards to accommodate devices such as wearable technology. It will also be the only place on campus that provides all library patrons access to do metal 3D printing. “The Prototyping Studio is special because of our access model,” said Jonathan Bradley, a member of the University Libraries team that developed the concept. “Other makerspaces exist on campus, but our goal is to be available to everyone and to make getting started as easy as possible. We think the studio will greatly expand the reach of our experiential learning opportunities and help the University Libraries reach some of the goals of the modern research library, which includes providing access to more than just books and articles.”
New Research Reveals Lopsided Wage-to-Tuition Ratio
Intelligent.com, a resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has published a report on the rise of university tuition. According to the study, average in-state tuition and fees for one year at a public non-profit university have increased by 2,580 percent
1. Double-planning for constantly shifting environments “Even if schools are fully back in person, teachers are trying to stay prepared to serve students virtually at any moment. Lack of access to substitutes, coupled with adjustments for quarantined students, adds up to even more planning than a typical year for teachers – which is already heavy on planning.” 2. Finding ways to leverage technology in a helpful way “In the event of a school closure, access to digital resources is needed to pivot from in-person to remote learning. However, finding the best technology tools is a major pain point for teachers. Decisions on which tools to utilize are at the forefront of their minds.” 3. Increased demand for digital curriculum “Most schools believe technology should be used to enhance delivery and methodology, not to replace teaching, so we’re seeing a great need for digital versions of popular curriculums that are both student and parent-friendly.” 4. Streamlining tools for guardian visibility, student ease and better data “Parents and students need one location to check for messages, assignments, etc. Streamlining tools not only helps the end-user experience, but also leads to better data. Now more than ever, making data-driven decisions is critical in identifying gaps to maximize the day-to-day.” Kiddom, headquartered in San Francisco with an office in New York City, provides an educational platform that delivers digital curriculum and engages students at home or in the classroom. February 2022 — EducationalDealerMagazine.com 23
