Posts by Tom Vander Ark
Other Machine: Shop Class For The 21st Century
Other Machine Co. produces portable milling machines that make 2D and 3D objects out of a range of materials (wood, metal, plastic). Like 3D printing, portable computer numerical control (CNC) machines have the potential to, “Democratize manufacturing for individual creators,” said founder and CEO Danielle Applestone.
Schools That Can Is 15 Cities Strong, Planning May Conference
Tom talks with Michael Druckman, Executive Chair and Stephanie Whited, Director of Communications & Marketing of Schools That Can, and Jennifer Husbands, Executive Director of Schools That Can Chicago to talk about Schools That Can's upcoming 10th Annual Forum in LA.
EdReform & Innovation: The End of The Big Test is in Sight
What does innovative learning and EdReform have in common? Equity. Tom explores the recent history of assessment (the intended and unintended consequences), the role that equity plays, the need to synthesize EdReform aims, and the opportunity of innovation.
20 Year Forecast: Broader Aims, Students at the Center
The hunch that encouraging student agency will produce better learning outcomes was pervasive at the Russian sponsored Global Education Futures Forum which met this week in Silicon Valley. Discussions were framed by 16 trends.
Students Ask Big Questions At Science Leadership Academy
Science Leadership Academy (SLA) in Philadelphia is transforming the opportunity set for 500 urban students with an inquiry-based approach. SLA students are asked to consider, "How do we learn?" "What can we create?" "What does it mean to lead?"
In Defense of Liberal Arts AND Employability
A liberal arts degree can be a great foundation for work and life. Students pursuing a liberal arts degree should build a portfolio of work based learning evidence and have a first job in mind approach graduation. Likewise, students aiming for technical employment shouldn’t be shortchanged when it comes to skills that will power lifelong learning and opportunity.
Parenting for Powerful Learning: 35 Tips
We can turn our parenting interactions into learning opportunities at home, on field trips, and during weekends to help our kids learn while with us. From making dinner together to turning old cardboard boxes into whatever the kids' imagine, here are 35 tips for creating powerful learning experiences for all ages.
Districts Racing to Personalize Learning
The Race to the Top-District (RTT-D) program is contributing to the changes made by districts to personalize learning and blend learning environments. In many cases, it's working. And, new roles are emerging for teacher leaders as a result.
Collaborative Culture Fuels Meriden’s Blended Success
Meriden Public Schools is a great example of a district making progress on personalizing learning; student access to technology is improving, teacher leaders are being identified and cultivated, and blended learning strategies are being phased in. The district hosted a Blended Learning Summit (#MPSblended) that gathered fellow blended leaders in Connecticut.
Everything is Different Now: Parenting for Powerful Learning
Parenting is quite a bit different than it was when Tom and his wife Karen were busy raising their two daughters. In this post, Tom writes about the ways parenting has changed and the ways that it has stayed the same. Tom argues that the most important thing a parent can do is create lasting learning experiences for and with their child.