Archive: 2012
Personalized Learning

Blended Learning: Iterating Toward Better Learning At Scale

Tom Vander Ark

"Instead of 'fixing' K-12, let's build something better," said Alex Hernandez fromCharter Growth Fund (@ThinkSchools) who opened a conversation among experts in the future of learning. "Blended learning is not about technology, it's about personalizing learning for students. We can give students the instruction they need, when they need it."
Personalized Learning

SMARTtech Roundup: Digital Developments and More

Carri Schneider

The need for speed. The Education Super Highway National School Speed Test is now underway. The group aims to Ensure that every K-12 school in America has 100MB+ of broadband infrastructure, starting with this inventory. Click here to check your school’s speed.
Leadership

Microsoft Launches Global Initiatives to Create Opportunities for 300M Youth

Getting Smart Staff

Microsoft Corp. today announced a new global initiative,Microsoft YouthSpark, that aims to create opportunities for 300 million youth in more than 100 countries during the next three years. This companywide initiative includes citizenship and other company programs — both new and enhanced — that empower youth to imagine and realize their full potential by connecting them with greater opportunities for education, employment and entrepreneurship.
EdTech

TEDxManhattan Beach Hosts “Journey to Purpose: Dream. Educate. Thrive” October 13th

Getting Smart Staff

TEDxManhattanBeach hosts "Journey to Purpose: Dream. Educate. Thrive." October 13, 2012 at the auditorium of the Manhattan Beach Middle School in Manhattan Beach, Calif. The event seeks to answer the following questions through presentations from experts across several fields of study: How do we increase the odds of finding purpose in life? Is it ever too late to find purpose? What role can the education system play in helping students find purpose?
EdTech

14 High Schools Worth Visiting

Tom Vander Ark

An international school administrator recently wrote on U.S. high schools and education reform. Here, Tom Vander Ark, shares a list of a baker's dozen high schools worth visiting.
Leadership

How to Tell a True Inspirational Story

Susan Davis

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about inspiration. It’s a bit like thinking about falling in love --- hard to get a handle on, but what’s not to like? Still, I’ve been trying to tease out what inspiration is exactly, especially for those of us in the education racket in 2012. My husband, Larry Kahn, and I will lead a workshop for PLP Live! in Philadelphia on September 28th. Our task is to marshal inspirational stories to help those who want to integrate 21st century learning in schools translate the words of wisdom from the likes of John Sealy Brown and Suzie Boss into the right stuff for their schools back home.
EdTech

Council for Economic Education Hosts K-12 Video Contest: What Should the Next President Do to Improve the Economy?

Getting Smart Staff

The Council for Economic Education (CEE) is holding a video contest asking students in kindergarten through 12th grade, via their teachers, for the best economic advice they can give our new President, whoever that may be. Teachers can record one student, or a group of students, answering the question “What Should the Next President Do to Improve the Economy?” and submit their video responses via Facebook.
Personalized Learning

Secretary Arne Duncan Speaks at Hamilton Project Forum September 27th

Getting Smart Staff

On September 27th, The Hamilton Project at Brookings will host a forum to discuss new approaches to promoting attainment and achievement in K-12 education. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will give featured remarks, highlighting recent progress on education reform, the difficult work still ahead, and the need for innovation to help advance reform efforts. Following his remarks, Secretary Duncan will take audience questions.