Posts by Tom Vander Ark
Blended Speech Therapy: Q&A with Clay Whitehead
PresenceLearning delivers more than 10,000 online speech therapy sessions a month to schools in 25 states. The company, formed by two recent Stanford MBAs, is a good example of two translational innovations--synchronous online instruction and distributed workforce--now deployed in education to meet widespread special education challenges.
Enstitute: Apprenticeship + Cohort = Applied MBA
Enstitute is a new way to think about post-secondary learning. The two year on-ramp to the tech sector could occur before, after, during, or instead of a traditional college experience. The program combines the learn-by-doing benefits of an apprenticeship with individual and cohort learning experiences--an applied MBA.
Good Work: Back to School Apologies
To all the educators going back to school, thanks for your commitment to kids and their academic success. Sorry it’s so hard. Tools, conditions, and career options are getting better fast. Stick with it. Don't wait for the rest of us.
Preview of Back to School Week on GettingSmart
We have a great line up of blogs for next week, join the conversation. We'll review Michael Fullan's new book, find out why Cal St asked Pearson to help expand online options, study blended learning modes, learn about online speech therapy, find out how Common Core standards are different, and contemplate new approaches to research
EdLeaders Need to Find & Empower Mr. T
Every district needs a Mr. T. Not the enforcer from the 80s TV show, more like Justin Talmadge, a Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) in the Snoqualmie Valley Public Schools in the Cascade foothills.
Ed-Fi: Data Standard Gains Traction, Releases Version 1.1
Lori Fey directs policy initiatives including the sponsorship of the Ed-Fi data standard for the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. The Ed-Fi solution is a universal educational data standard and tool suite (unifying data model, data exchange framework, application framework, and sample dashboard source code) that aligns with Common Education Data Standards. The Ed-Fi tool suite is designed to integrate information from a broad range of existing education data sources. It facilitates data comparisons and interoperability, and allows vendors to develop reusable products across multiple states.
E.L. Haynes: A Force For Change
Jennie Niles started her career as a s cience teacher at the famous Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles. She now leads the equally famous E. L. Haynes Public Charter School in Washington DC. The path in between could not have been better scripted: Yale for graduate school, a state department of education, a foundation, then New Leaders.
How Would a Next Gen Law Degree Work?
A friend is chairing the development of a new law degree. It’s an extension of a well respected R1 program but there’s lots of room for innovation. It strikes me that there is an opportunity to create a program that is better, cheaper and faster than the mothership. I suggested…
Best of Good Work 2012
Making a difference often takes more than intent and effort, Impact Takes Vision, Values, and Good Timing. The presidential race includes two Catholic running mates, a social conservative and a social justice advocate. Father Robert Sirico is an advocate for Freedom and Virtue. He thinks capitalism can…
Flip Your Classroom, Blend Your School With Open & Innovative Tools
On September 18, 2012 I am co-hosting a conference, OpenBlend, with the Tacoma Public Schools and the Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD) at the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center. OpenBlend is a blended learning conference featuring a full-day track of Khan Academy workshops.