What To Read?

A person who knows state government but is relatively new to the digital learning revolution asked what to read to get up to speed. Here is a quick list:
Blogs: We follow 50 Great Blogs & Blasts.
Policy: The 10 Elements of High Quality Digital Learning was released at the 2010 Excellence in Action National Summit in Washington, DC. It remains the best outline of a forward-leaning state policy framework. The Smart Series, also from Digital Learning Now, is a series of 10 policy papers that detail recommendations for state and district leaders. The collected series is available in a free eBook, Navigating the Digital Shift.
The International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) has a well crafted Statement of Principles for Model Legislation in States . They also sponsor CompetencyWorks, the best source for policy and practice questions associated with competency-based education (where students progress based on demonstrated mastery).
School models: For most students, personalized learning will take place in schools that blend the best of online and face-to-face learning. The Christensen Institute defines emerging school models and has profiled exemplary blended learning schools.
Good schools challenge students and ask them to show what they know. For a profile of 20 exemplary schools representing ten school networks as well as some leading school districts, see Deeper Learning for Every Student Every Day.
Another great source on innovative schools is the Next Generation Learning Challenge grantee profiles.
Also see our list of 38 Elementary & Middle Schools Worth Visiting and 35 High Schools Worth Visiting. For a catalog of reforms and cool schools by city, see the Smart Cities series.
Trending topics. For a how-to guide for schools and districts see: Blended Learning Implementation Guide 2.0 and Smart Series Guide to EdTech Procurement. Why schools should join networks: Networks, Platforms, & Procurement.
On Promising school model/platform combos:

Ten trending policy issues:

 
Digital Learning Now! is a Getting Smart Advocacy Partner. Tom is a director of iNACOL. 

Tom Vander Ark

Tom Vander Ark is the CEO of Getting Smart. He has written or co-authored more than 50 books and papers including Getting Smart, Smart Cities, Smart Parents, Better Together, The Power of Place and Difference Making. He served as a public school superintendent and the first Executive Director of Education for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

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1 Comment

Kendal
2/4/2014

Very helpful!

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