Innov8: Spring Forward

It’s officially spring, which means out with the old and in with the new! It also means the end of the school year isn’t that far away, and many educators are looking for new ways to deliver the last bits of necessary knowledge to students before everyone heads out for summer vacation.

So whether you’re an educator who is just starting out with project-based learning or an administrator sitting in on a math class to better understand the students’ perspectives, this week’s top news stories celebrate education leaders springing toward new beginnings and innovations in learning.

Digital Developments

1. Rural WiFi Access

#Google equipping school buses in #rural #SouthCarolina with #WiFi. Plans to expand program in other states. #edtech https://t.co/b5kisfF2Oc pic.twitter.com/s5HyoMcHac

— Michelle Davis (@EWmdavis) March 21, 2017

We think is a great way to improve tech accessibility for students. We also recently looked at 10 other strategies for promoting digital access and equity.

Dollars & Deals

2. $50M for Learning Equality

NEWS: @CNET Google commits $50 million to close the education gap https://t.co/y9B0e3uLNM #Google #Education #EdTech #nonprofit #whatworks

— American ED TV (@AmEDtv) March 21, 2017

3. $30M for Edtech and Robotics

Chinese #edtech and robotics startup MakeBlock has secured $30 million in a Series B funding round. https://t.co/gBVOtzbfj2

— EdSurge (@EdSurge) March 20, 2017

Did you know that robotics can be beneficial in the classroom?

#ProjectBased World

4. ASCD + High-Quality PBL Initiative

Attending the @ASCDempower conference this weekend? Visit booth 948 to learn about the high-quality #PBL project https://t.co/bY9O6euhqe pic.twitter.com/EVwyVcrMYO

— Getting Smart (@Getting_Smart) March 20, 2017

What makes high-quality project-based learning? The answer is complicated, and we hope you’ll get involved in the conversation.

#GenDIY

5. Challenging Students to Imagine the Future of Education

Students submitting scenarios to Imagine #FutureEd can win an iPad Air 2: https://t.co/q9Ag97MtBg. @knowledgeworks @teachfutures pic.twitter.com/13WD1SZqs0

— Katherine Prince (@katprince) February 25, 2017

It’s never too early to get your students involved in competitions that require iteration and creativity. Maybe even set up a leaderboard!

Planting a #SEAD

6. SEL Report

From CASEL: A new report on the Collaborating Districts initiative includes key insights and findings.https://t.co/fRjxbNEmyY

— CASEL (@caselorg) March 21, 2017

SEL is important, and school culture is a critical component for ensuring that it is possible. We think SEL is so important that we’ve published over 50 posts on the subject, and are encouraged by CASEL’s work.

#Teachers & #EdLeaders

7. Course Access Webinar

iNACOL Webinar | 3/28: Course Access: Improving Student Access to Advanced Coursework https://t.co/3I53epGdIj

— Michael K Barbour (@mkbtuc) March 11, 2017

8. Communication Planning Guide

Education Elements & The Learning Accelerator Release New Communications Planning Guide for Innovation in Education https://t.co/h5GfP6Tpnw

— Lisa Sitkins (@LSitkins) March 16, 2017

Communication, like SEL, is crucial for schools and districts to function well. Did you know listening is a 21st-century skill?

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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