Archive: 2013
EdTech
The Human Touch in the Age of Technology
Lessons from informal learning, online higher education, and corporate training are useful guideposts, but the U.S. K-12 shift is really a hunch about the importance of personalization and relationships. Prioritizing these two factors also suggests that its time to rethink how schools are structured and how students progress.
Personalized Learning
CTB Acuity Adds Performance Assessment & Instructional Resources
The Acuity diagnostic assessments is aligned to Common Core and was designed to be used 4 times a year. Tests can be easily modified by teachers or be aligned to a common pacing guide. Haley outlined two big advances on the Acuity platform this year--playlists and performance assessments.
EdTech
Better & More Writing: 14 platforms & 31 Apps
Math gets all the love--at least that appears to be the case in the edtech world. But applications of automated essay scoring have been growing steadily for 15 years. The shift to digital instructional materials, preparations for state online assessment, and a new crop of writing apps is adding new energy to digital ELA.
Personalized Learning
Designing Inquiry-Based PLCs to Differentiate Instruction and Drive School-Wide Improvement
Schools that establish inquiry-based PLCs for the specific purpose of looking at student data to inform curriculum, instruction, and intervention are having the most success.
EdTech
Infographic: Smart EdTech Requires Buying Smart
To preview the paper, DLN released the infographic “Smart EdTech Requires Buying Smart.” The infographic lists 12 rules of smart EdTech procurement, provides 6 ways to modernize procurement policy and offers advice on creating customized technology bundles.
Personalized Learning
K12 Inc. Annual Survey Examines Online & Blended Learning Implementations
K12 Inc. announced today that their annual survey of district and school leaders reports that school districts offered significantly more online learning opportunities during 2013 than were offered in 2012.
Personalized Learning
Competency Education: The Solution to Retention
As we turn the corner in designing new learning systems, the notion of considering retention can now be safely set aside. In a competency based learning system, no child is retained. It is as simple as that. Why?
Personalized Learning
Next-Gen Learning Models Blend Tech & Experiences
Critics argue that blended and competency-based learning is just testing all the time. They chafe at what appears to be more mindless box checking. When I visit credit recovery labs and see students flying through online lessons and taking end of unit multiple choice quizzes, we worry that there is some truth to the criticism.
Uncategorized
Research Reveals Why Students Need Field Trips
This study confirms the significance educational programs offered by art museums and cultural institutions have in our students’ educational outcomes. In a time when many districts are scaling back on field trips due to budgetary constraints or to fear that the time spent on a field trip is time lost in “seat time,” this research helps to advocate for learning outside the traditional school setting.
Personalized Learning
Computers Can Help Students Learn Science
A recent study found that even brief use of an educational app called SolarWalk (for Apple devices) improved students' understanding of the solar system.