Posts by Guest Author
Education Pioneers’ Social Media Tips & Advice
Here are some things that Education Pioneers (EP) has learned about social media along the way and what’s worked best for us.
An Invaluable Addition to the DLN Smart Series “Data Backpacks”: APIP’s PNP
You might be scratching your head: APIP’s PNP? APIP stands for Accessible Portable Item Profile, which provides the technical framework to deliver digital content tailored to the specific accessibility needs of each student. PNP stands for Profile of Needs and Preferences, which captures those needs. You’re probably not familiar with APIP. Most people will never dig deeply into its technical guts, but they should know what it means for students: it can dramatically improve the educational experiences of so many students we are now short-changing - or worse.
What Proficiency-based Grading Means for Your Student
The new Standards-Based grading system currently used throughout the U.S. education system is significantly different from the letter-grade system that most parents grew up with. This system is designed to allow high-achieving students to progress more rapidly through the curriculum, and ensure that all students reach a certain lower bound of proficiency. Each student's level of achievement can be measured, and the over-all degree of learning advancement attained by the entire class can also be more accurately determined.
What Can You Learn From Formula 1 Racing?
We are launching a contest for the next couple weeks called“What Can You Learn From Racing?” The prize is a Team Ferrari model helmet (see image above, 1:2 scale). All you have to do is tell us in 200 words or less what lessons you can learn from F1!
Experience the Whole Web With Windows 8
Microsoft and Windows 8 are here at EDUCAUSE 2012. In the weeks and months ahead, the higher education community will discover all of the new capabilities of the reimagined Windows 8. One of my favorite standout experiences for Windows 8 is the new Internet Explorer 10.
MOOCs Bring Down Costs at Antioch University Campuses
The advent of MOOCs offered by top universities like MIT, Harvard, and Stanford has raised some questions about the current cost of higher education. If academic institutions like Harvard and MIT can offer some of their best courses online, for free, why are college students paying tens of thousands of dollars each year for their educations?
Avoid Hit-or-Miss Professional Development
As a former principal and curriculum director, I can easily tell the difference between good and bad professional development. I’m embarrassed to admit that I have had my hand in delivering some poor quality events in my career. Some of my colleagues refer to past trainings as a “spray and pray” approach to learning something.
Five Free Online Courses (MOOCs) to Help Your Career
Massive open online courses, or MOOCs, have become all the buzz among higher-education experts. The idea is that anyone, anywhere can sign up to take a course from the nation’s top institutions like Harvard, MIT, Princeton, and Stanford. This is undoubtedly an exciting idea. With tuition costs rising and student loan debt topping $1 trillion, the future of our higher education system will rely on innovations like MOOCs.
What Does an Ideal Learning Environment Look Like?
How would you describe the perfect learning environment? Yes, I realize the question is open-ended, and after launching Compass Learning’s Ideal Learning Environment Video Contest, it’s evident that plenty of people have very specific thoughts regarding their education. We received 100 video entries of teachers, students, and parents describing or showing us their vision of the ideal learning environment. And let me just tell you: I was shocked at the range of creative ideas submitted.
Protecting Your Teaching Investment: Help Students Retain Knowledge While Away From School
For years, when school breaks drew to a close, educators were faced with the task of refocusing students suffering from the proverbial “brain drain” after weeks or months away from the classroom. Despite the best intentions of holiday reading lists and math worksheets, not to mention the lack of focus that can accompany the end of the semester or school year, students were returning to the classroom at a different point than they left.