Archive: Feb 2012
10 Benefits & 10 Concerns About the Shift to Digital Learning
Rhode Island has produced leading innovations like the Big Picture network but it is in the back of the pack when it comes to online and blended learning (see the Digital Learning Now scorecard) but Gist's team is working hard to change that. If the enthusiastic group of 300 adult learners that spent the day at Rhode Island College are any indication, learning opportunities will improve for Rhode Island kids in the next year.
Staff Picks: Global Ed, Online Learning & Flex Schools
Karen Picks “Turkish Kids Are Getting Tablets. What’s Your State Doing?” Karen says, “I was very pleased to listen to a group from the Philippines this week tell us about the digital/eLearn space across the other side of the world. Some of the same issues and some…
When Worlds Collide
It was a tough week for those of us that supported NCLB for the bipartisan support for equity it signaled and the baseline school accountability system it required. Obama announced waivers and Kline just wants the feds out of education. Fordham offered a better solution.
Could Teacher Evaluation Initiatives Power Down Technology-driven Innovation?
Teacher quality is arguably the largest policy shift in education today and will have a lasting impact on our public education system. Legislatures across the country are hammering out systems intended to improve, reward, and redistribute quality instruction – including teacher evaluation systems and systems to differentiate compensation.
Flex Schools Personalize, Enhance and Accelerate Learning
Flex schools offer an online core curriculum with on-site academic support and guidance, integration and application opportunities, and extracurricular activities. Students in flex schools progress as they demonstrate mastery in most courses. Every community should have a flex option that provides a fully supported individualized pathways to graduation.
ST Math Demonstrates Positive Results at Las Vegas Elementary Schools
Clark County School District released Tuesday positive results from a five-year pilot with MIND Research Institute's ST Math, a visual learning math game. This week, MIND joined school officials to recognize Sewell Elementary and Henderson Elementary schools for achievements in math.
New Survey Shows Demand for Personalized & Adaptive Learning Assessments
The Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) and Grunwald Associates LLC released today "For every child, multiple measures," a study that evaluates parent and teacher support for timely, actionable assessments that monitor individual student performance.
Yes! A Productivity Agenda!
In a recent report (and a wave of blog posts) it is clear that Bruce Baker takes offense at the current discussion around improving productivity in public education.
Online Learning Provides Mastery-Based Learning for Students
“When I tuck my children into bed each night and take the laptops off their beds, I see that they were recently looking at Civil War photos on the National Archives website, playing with a pyramid maze on the British Museum website, or translating their names into hieroglyphs,” says Kelly Gutensohn, a parent of ten Florida Virtual School (FLVS) students ranging from five to 28.
10+ STEM Inspiring Contests & Challenges
The science fair has been around for decades. Yet, today the science fair has evolved to give students and adults multiple expressions of STEM talent. Here, we've compiled more than 10 STEM challenges and contests for you and your students.