Posts by Tom Vander Ark
Inflection Point
Fritjof Capra (systems thinker pre-Senge/Wheatley) said that we alway think that we're at some kind of tipping point--but this week really feels like an inflection.
The Edu-Innovation Opportunity
A reporter asked me “what went wrong with the small schools idea?” It’s odd question because all the networks developing highly effective new schools—KIPP, Achievement First, Success Network, Green Dot, Alliance and dozens more—still use the tried and true rule of thumb of 100 students per grade. The better…
Iterative Development
Qualcom technologist Marie Bjerede wonders if the top-down reform model doesn’t work, why there’s not more iterative development: In the software world, we address this dilemma through an iterative development model. That is, we assume that when we are thinking about what users might need or how they will…
Not Welcome Sign = No R&D
When states ban or limit the role of private enterprise in public education, they dampen investment in R&D and perpetuate the status quo. Instead, they should frame opportunities and invite investment partners.
7 Charter Investment Strategies
Seven suggested investment strategies for a charter-friendly foundation seeking broader impact
School of One: Toward the Killer App
A smart recommendation algorithm would work across curriculum. Joel Rose's School of One is a starting point.
A Charter Grows in the Bronx
We visit Bronx Prep and discover you can do a lot with a great community.
Flexibility=Failure
Rep Chu and the NEA released a proposal to give free money to failing schools--a bad idea. National Journal carries the debate. My take: SIG should be more not less restrictive if you care about getting low income kids into better educational options ASAP.
Ten Things for DQC2.0 to Figure Out
The National Data Quality Campaign made a huge contribution and is now part of federal policy. Given the flood of data from online learning, it's time to start working on DQC2.0.
Ten Problems Edupreneurs Must Solve
Tom Vander Ark posts this list of ten issues that education entrepreneurs must solve to make the education marketplace the real deal.