Posts by Tom Vander Ark
Personalized Learning
What is Performance Assessment?
Performance assessments are real-world scenarios that reflect the ambiguity of real-world challenges. They require higher-order thinking and problem solving. They are concluded with authentic performance. Projects are the most common performance assessment. The tools to support projects and track academic development are (slowly) getting better . Transparent evaluation criteria: the learning outcomes drive the creation of the task.
EdTech
Short Cycle Efficacy Trials Key to Personalized Learning
This fall the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation made grants of $1.3 million for short cycle efficacy trials. Three “test bed networks” each received $100,000: New Schools for Chicago, NYC iZone, and the Bay Area Innovation Hub. Five platforms shared the balance: BrightBytes, CFY (PowerMyLearning), eSpark, Motion Math, and Common Sense Media.
Personalized Learning
Expeditionary Assessment: PBL Lessons from Ron Berger
Expeditionary Learning (EL) is a network of project-based schools. Chief Academic Officer, Ron Berger, is a thoughtful advocate for better assessment. Check out his advice for better PBL....and his new book.
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
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.
Ed Policy
14 Developments to Watch for in 2014
It's been a big year for innovations in learning. If 2012 was the year of the MOOC, 2013 was the year blended learning went mainstream--even schools that were just layering tabs on top of an obsolete model called it "blended." The following are 14 developments to watch for in 2014.
Personalized Learning
Springpoint: Designing Schools for Success
In October, Carnegie made new schools grants for Cleveland, New York City, Philadelphia and Denver. The first three districts will open 2 new schools. Denver will open 1 new school while also conducting a system wide planning process.
Leadership
Next-Gen Advisory: 10 Keys to College & Career Readiness
All of the great high schools that I visit have a strong distributed counseling system and advisory structure--a souped up homeroom that promotes a sustained relationship with an advisor, academic monitoring and management, and links to services.