Posts by Tom Vander Ark

Leadership

Good Work: Love and Hope

Reforms of the late 90s seem quaint compared to challenges that school districts face today. The fiscal crisis adds a whole new layer of challenge to American education leadership.

Personalized Learning

19 NextGen Learning Grants

Next Generation Learning Challenges announced $7 million in grants to 19 innovative, technology-enabled programs that are helping students master middle grade math and literacy. Ian Quillen, EdWeek summarized the ask: “Proposals that used technology to address teaching 7th and 9th grade Common Core State Standards material.  Universities took…

Personalized Learning

Digital Learning with Innovators

Last night I led a Q & A session with two digital learning innovators, Shantanu Sinha of Kahn Academy and John Danner of Rocketship at UW. Both are paving the way for innovation in the market and turning around great results.

Personalized Learning

San Francisco Startup Weekend

I spent my weekend at the San Francisco Startup Weekend with execs from Facebook, Google and Founder Institute to judge 13 teams that spent Sunday finalizing a venture pitch and the chance to make a difference.

Personalized Learning

Coherence = f(Sustained Leadership)

As discussed with Summit Prep, the level of coherence—the degree to which every aspect of the school works together for students and teachers—is very high.

Personalized Learning

Creating Cohorts in a Blended World

Cohorts in traditonal schooling are birthday based but creating cohorts in a blended world will look very different. Outlined at five innovative strategies for combining the benefits of customized learning and peer cohorts.