Innovations Creating a #SmartPlanet

At two recent regional EdTech conferences (#NYSCATE15 & #GAETC15) I’ve had the good fortune to discuss world changing innovations with hundreds of forward-leading tech-savvy teachers. What I asked them what innovations would boost global learning, here’s a few of the responses.

Broadband

One rural school put wifi on district buses & parked buses around community in areas w/o access. #SmartPlanet #nyscate15

— Michael Drezek (@m_drez) November 24, 2015

@NYSCATE: #smartplanet #nyscate15 @tvanderark access for all rural and urban

— Bill Reynolds (@breynoldstech) November 24, 2015

Tech Infrastructure In The Developing World https://t.co/KJx9xxRsrC @TechCrunch #SmartPlanet

— Tom Vander Ark (@tvanderark) November 14, 2015

Access to free high speed internet world wide would make a difference. #smartplanet

— Kathy D Shields, EdS (@KathyDShields) November 5, 2015

Cheaper devices

#SmartPlanet #nyscate15 cheaper and cheaper access to technology — Antonio Scordo (@ascordo) November 24, 2015

Cell phones (internet access w/o a wired infrastructure) #smartplanet #nyscate15 — Anneke Radin-Snaith (@AnnekeRadin) November 24, 2015

Cloud Computing

#smartplanet. Cloud computing #nyscate15

— Donna Meehan (@DonnaMeehan3) November 24, 2015

Real World Problem Solving

PBL, specifically for issues/problems that don’t exist yet in our world. #smartplanet #nyscate15 — Peri Nelson-Sukert (@apospirit) November 24, 2015

#smartplanet Can we see how students would solve problems the politicians cannot Global Problem Solving — Stephen MacAdam (@ChiefMac310) November 24, 2015

@tvanderark design thinking #smartplanet #nyscate15 — Andrea Tejedor (@AStrategicShift) November 24, 2015

Students become learners in place of learning ‘stuff’ that is predetermined #smartplanet #GaETC15

— Principal O’Connell (@PrincipalOC) November 5, 2015

Collaborative Learning

Collaborative learning around the globe to address problems that need solutions rather than traditional lessons. #NYSCATE2015 #SmartPlanet

— TroyAnne Huntington (@tdmhunt) November 24, 2015

Global collaborations so students can understand perspectives and develop empathy #smartplanet #nyscate15

— Mrs. Mlod (@MrsMlod) November 24, 2015

3 Cs Computer Science, coding & collaboration #smartplanet #nyscate15

— Mr. Harris (@srharristweets) November 24, 2015

The ability For students across the global to collaborate with each other in realtime to share ideas #smartplanet

— Clint Winter (@ClintWinter) November 5, 2015

Interest-based & Project-based Learning

#SmartPlanet. Student ownership of learning PBL — Lorrie Fitz (@FitzLorrie) November 5, 2015

Recognize that information is ubiquitous. The challenge for schools is to shift toward helping kids know what to do with it. #smartplanet — Karen Perry (@karennole) November 5, 2015

Technology usage moving from done To students to done BY students #smartplanet #GaETC — Sonya Ayannuga (@AyannugaRCE) November 5, 2015

Student voice and choice #smartplanet — Steve Thompson (@Stevethomp40) November 5, 2015

Anywhere Anytime Learning

Being able to learn beyond the walls of your school and the classes offered #SmartPlanet

— Nick stange (@stange_nick) November 24, 2015

#smartplanet Free online education with credits toward a degree.

— Wanda Barker (@wanda_barker) November 5, 2015

  Breaking Barriers, Promoting Diversity

Translation technology eroding global language barriers #smartplanet

— R Cook (@detdom7) November 5, 2015

Using technology to promote diversity #smartplanet

— Jeremy Anderson (@hapcollins2002) November 5, 2015

Innovative learning: Playlists + PBL + Maker

#SmartPlanet #nyscate15 Providing conceptual math learning and innovation through coding beginning in kindergarten. — Laurel Chiesa (@laurelchiesa) November 24, 2015

Genius hours and creative learning spaces. #SmartPlanet #nyscate15 — masterymaze (@masterymaze) November 24, 2015

#nyscate15 #smartplanet innovations that can change Ed. PBL and Maker driven models — Sandy Wagner (@sandyrwagner) November 24, 2015

#SmartPlanet makerspaces in all schools — MR_LEGO_JOE (@MR_LEGO_JOE) November 5, 2015

Using makerspace so to creat innovators. Allowing high school students time to play with tech in order to build job skills #smartplanet — Meggan Ford (@fordforumjchs) November 5, 2015

#smartplanet big bandwidth makes the dif education going the way of record industry playlist want songs not albums. — Steve Garton (@sgarton121) November 24, 2015

Adaptive & Competency-based Learning

#smartplanet Adaptive learning with credit for prior knowledge

— Wanda Barker (@wanda_barker) November 5, 2015

#smartplanet Personalized learning models that use tech as ways to demos grate mastery,not just squire content. #GaETC15

— Aaryn Schmuhl (@aschmuhl) November 5, 2015

Utilizing iPads to help enhance one on one student/teacher feedback #SmartPlanet #nyscate15

— Hannah Smith (@hannahs373) November 24, 2015

Invest in Teachers

Difference – Human Capital. Investment in PD #SmartPlanet – drive teachers to innovate not just edutain!

— Chris Stephenson (@geographywee) November 5, 2015

More OER

#GoOpen #OER #smartplanet — Marlene M. Harris (@marlenemharris) November 5, 2015

New tech: AR, VR

Occulus rift could change education and engagement #smartplanet

— Spiff Whitfield (@Spiffwhitfield) November 24, 2015

Add Some Art

STEAM initiatives in libraries, art and music classes #smartplanet #nyscate15 — Monroe #1 BOCES ITS (@M1BITS) November 24, 2015

Effective governance

Making government & politics more accountable & transparent will lead to a #SmartPlanet (see: https://t.co/st6TSmOay3)

— jeffgiddens (@jeffgiddens) November 5, 2015

Why This Matters

“We have the first chance in history to offer every young person on the planet a good education” #smartplanet #gaetc2015

— LSTC (@GCPSLSTC) November 5, 2015

What would you add to the list?  What’s making a difference for populations that haven’t had good access to learning opportunities?

For more see our initial list of 20 Inventions Boosting Global IQ. If you have a #SmartPlanet story send a note to [email protected].  

For more see:

• Innovative Blend Could be the Spark for South Africa
• Supporting Struggling South African Schools With Online Learning

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