Archive: 2012
EdTech
Staff Picks: Edtech, Online Learning
Sarah says, "Driving down the cost of education and learning with schools like the University of the People can expand access to learning for many and reignite a pasion for others. I'm excited to check out a few classes and see where I can expand my knowledge."
Personalized Learning
Grouping, Tracking, & Personalizing
An international educator told me his school community was discussing the "ethics and educational validity of streaming -- deliberately dividing students up into class/work groups based on ability, i.e., a strong and weak group." He asked for my thoughts.
EdTech
SMARTtech: “Competency” is the Word of the Week
Dell is on the case (part two). The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation (MSDF) has released the second in a series of case studies that examine blended learning approaches, this time offering a case study of Summit Public Schools. Check out Diane Tavenner, the founder and CEO of Summit Public Schools, speaking about her experiences on the MSDF blog.
EdTech
Q&A: Alison Johnston Discusses InstaEDU & On-Demand Tutoring
We live in a world where you can buy plane tickets, a car, or even publish a novel instantly online. “Why shouldn’t learning be this convenient?” asked Alison Johnston, CEO of InstaEDU, an online, instant tutoring company for high school and college students. With $1.1 million in seed round funding from former Facebooker Chamath Palihapitiya’s The Social+Capital Partnership and several angels, Alison’s company is off to a strong start.
Personalized Learning
Competency-Based Progress
Susan Patrick, iNACOL (where I'm a director) and Chris Sturgis teamed up on a great new site, CompetencyWorks. While the shift to digital is key, and extending the reach of great teachers is important, the shift from age-cohorts to to a show-what-you-know system will prove to be the most profound--and challenging--educational change of our time. That's why the conversation and community on CompetencyWorks is so important.
EdTech
Next-Gen Research On Next-Gen Tools
A national research agency received a grant "to frame a program of research reviews [focused on learning technology] that would summarize, synthesize, and draw conclusions from the research. An ongoing program of research reviews would help educators, developers, and policymakers to monitor and apply the latest research in the development and implementation of learning technologies and also to identify key questions and methodologies for future research and development."
Personalized Learning
A Letter to Parents of Digital-Age Students
First, let me thank you for entrusting me with teaching your children, honoring the amazing individuals they are, and helping them discover the confident and empowered young people they can be. Providing a rich and engaging environment for your children to learn in is my utmost concern, but Iately I have had to acknowledge that the young people I see every day do much of the learning that is important to them when they leave the parking lot and head home from school. Thus, I am writing to solicit your help.
Personalized Learning
NYC iZone: Innovation Hub and Change Management Model
How do we manage the shift to personal digital learning? That's the current whole-systems challenge in education. As Chancellor of the largest district in the country, Joel Klein decided New York City needed a kickstart and created the iZone.
Personalized Learning
Want Engaged Learners? Sign PBL Contracts.
There was a time when my sole purpose for living and breathing, my ultimate dream, was to sign a contract -- a contract to play professional baseball. I simply wanted the opportunity to work hard in order to create a better me for the entire team. “Give me that pen,” I remember thinking. “I’ll sign for a Coke and a smile,” I told anyone who would listen. That day never arrived.
Personalized Learning
Can Online College Education Ever Really Be Free?
The ingenious idea of giving students access to post-secondary education online has really helped many people follow their dreams over the past few years, especially those who wouldn't be able to pursue a higher education otherwise due to various circumstances like having a fulltime job, raising a family, suffering from a learning disorder, or living in a rural area.