Innov8: Winter Break Engagement

As we finally head into the holiday weekend, we’re looking forward to a nice relaxing break after the inevitable rush for last minute gifts and celebrations with friends and family.
But these last few weeks of the year are also a great time to learn something new–check out our latest blog sharing ideas and resources for keeping minds engaged in learning with fun educational activities for the whole family to try.
Looking for even more things to learn about? Then dig in and get inspired by this week’s top news stories around the latest innovations in education.

#NewSchools & #EdTech Tools

1. Personalized Learning Network

.@LearnLaunch and MA DOE launch #PersonalizedLearning network with @NellieMaeEdFdn support https://t.co/h6YtvuReVo

— Tom Vander Ark (@tvanderark) December 15, 2016

We also share more on #PLearning in this blog from KnowledgeWorks about How the President-Elect Can Scale Personalized Learning.

Digital Developments

2. Impact Portraits

Many schools say #edtech is all about personalization, student engagement & the role of teachers. Read more: https://t.co/D7EoGmcCA6 pic.twitter.com/j6HtP4VUUp

— Google For Education (@GoogleForEdu) December 18, 2016

3. Amazon On Fire

Amazon Fire tablets updated with kids’ reading app, Amazon Rapids, and a more powerful Alexa https://t.co/uziFryENhf

— TechCrunch (@TechCrunch) December 20, 2016

Looking for more great apps to use in the classroom? Check out these Nine Apps for Educators.

Dollars & Deals

4. $4.5 Million to MasteryConnect

MasteryConnect Raises $4.5M Series C Round to Refocus on Core Product and Profitability https://t.co/oD5JCfHOfr #edtech #edtechchat

— EdSurge (@EdSurge) December 14, 2016

#STEM Gems

5. STEM In A Box

Learn how Pixar artists use math & science to create believable hair, trees & clothing in our new simulation lesson. https://t.co/i4WiMwk9Zc pic.twitter.com/1GDKrcSEJf

— Khan Academy (@khanacademy) December 16, 2016

If you are still looking for last minute gifts, be sure to check out our Best of 2016 STEM Gifts for Kids: Preschool Through Elementary.

#AskAboutAI

6. Tech Talent Wars

.@Udacity adds 14 hiring partners as #AI, #VR and self-driving talent wars heat up https://t.co/SfF6YGq3Zu @techcrunch #innov8 #askaboutAI

— Carri Schneider (@CarriSchneider) December 14, 2016

We’ll see more stories like this next year as we discuss in our 2016 #YearInReview and Predictions for 2017.

Research & Reports

7. CBL Learning & Hiring

The shift to competency-based learning and hiring is here to stayhttps://t.co/Tdw2G2Ssyc #EdPolicy #HIgherEd pic.twitter.com/mntPfbmpEy

— Tom Vander Ark (@tvanderark) December 18, 2016

If you’d like to learn more about this movement, check out the competency-based success stories in Policy, Pilots and the Path to Competency-Based Education: A Tale of Three States.

#EdPolicy Pieces

8. Public Education Support

“Opportunity and education are not only the foundation of the economy… They are the foundation of democracy and the American way of life.” pic.twitter.com/qLaeplmu5k

— US Dept of Education (@usedgov) December 20, 2016

Learn more about how University Academy in Kansas City is providing its students with these necessary opportunities in Getting Smart on Closing the Opportunity Gap.
Have a news item you’d like us to consider for next Wednesday’s edition? Tweet us @Getting_Smart using #innov8 or to email [email protected] with “Innov8” in the subject line. For more ideas on what type of stories we run, check out the full Innov8 series on our blog.

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