Posts by Tom Vander Ark
11 Alternative Schools that are Real Alternatives
Trying to push all kids through a content-centric, compliance-oriented model just won’t work. A variety of alternative approaches have been attempted; here are a few approaches educators have to develop for youth that haven’t been successful in traditional schools.
What is 21st Century Learning? How Do We Get More?
For 40 years, we’ve been talking about the aims and strategies of 21st-century learning. Now that we’re a couple of decades in, we have a pretty good view.
Kansas City High Schools Add Real-World Learning
The largest effort to make high school more valuable—to young people and their communities—is underway in the six-county, two-state Kansas City metro area.
Follow Your Passion: Crazy or Genius?
Passion fuels big accomplishments, but it can also be problematic. When is following your passion actually a good career move?
A Lesson We Keep Relearning: It’s All About Relationships
Good schools build relationships into their structure, culture and practices. Strong relationships build a sense of belonging, they cultivate success skills, and they promote achievement. Strong relationships today makes possible a lifetime of success.
Indian Giant Infosys Opens Tech Center in Phoenix, Partners with ASU
With a deep commitment to growing employees, Infosys hired 15,000 graduates in the last 12 months, including more than 2,000 in America, where many come through community college partnerships.
Build Support, Innovate, Repeat: Agile Public Education in Colorado
By: Tom Vander Ark. With thoughtful sustained leadership, big school districts can earn community trust, establish and maintain rigorous academic standards, and become agile—even innovative. This is one district's story.
Why Schools Need Signature Learning Experiences
Signature experiences and signature building blocks can promote model efficacy, prioritize important outcomes for students and serve to differentiate schools and networks.
Next-Gen Career Prep at St. Vrain Innovation Center
Tom visits the Innovation Center, part of St. Vrain Valley School District, where the students study how drones can support cybersecurity, robotics assist with biotechnology, and engineering in infused in entrepreneurship.
Kahoot!: Kid’s Game That All the Fortune 500 Companies Use
By: Tom Vander Ark & Rachelle Dene Poth Launched in 2013 at SXSWedu, quiz platform Kahoot! was a hit; it spread virally. Now, more than half of U.S. teachers and students use Kahoot! But you probably knew that. What you may not know (we certainly didn’t) is…