Posts by Tom Vander Ark
Ed Policy
Smart Cities: Phoenix
Openness to new ideas, smart impact investors, new school models, strong university presence, and a few high capacity districts suggests that Phoenix may be on the rise
Personalized Learning
Lessons from KIPP Math Blends
The KIPP Chicago team found that strong classroom management is key to ensuring success of instructional technology. They also found that teachers benefit most from synthesized, actionable data--and training on how to use it. Teachers need to know how to use the programs.
Ed Policy
Smart Cities: New Orleans
Events like Mini Maker Faire prove that the future of school in New Orleans is a community effort - an effort by an entire city to invest in creativity, entrepreneurship, job creation in entire new industries, and the future of an entire city
EdTech
How Government Helps and Harms Entrepreneurs
Thirty years ago there were a couple dozen incubators, now there are a couple thousand; there's even an association. A dated survey suggests about one-third of business incubation programs are sponsored by economic development organizations, one fifth by cities or counties, another fifth by higher education.
Ed Policy
The Need for Design, Planning & Implementation Support
This is not “EdReform.” We’re going through a phase change, one that is fundamentally altering the way human beings learn and develop, how they communicate their capabilities, and how the work and relate to the world.
Ed Policy
5 Ideas Likely to Make a Big Impact
The great thing about the IFC audience is the unusual commitment to impact and entrepreneurship.
Ed Policy
Strong States & Common Standards
When talk turns to innovation, we usually think of a wizbang app, but advances in public policy can have an even bigger impact particularly on disadvantaged neighborhoods. The two most important policy advances in the last twenty years are Common Core State Standards and stronger state roles in education policy.
EdTech
DIY, Incubate or Accelerate?
Incubators, accelerators, and co-working spaces are popping up around the country--how are the different? Is one of them right for your startup?
Personalized Learning
Next Generation Blends will Teach to One
Over the last three years, the New Classrooms team has developed an instructional model that seeks to addresses the inherent limitations in one of the more common forms of blended learning-rotational models- where students transition among two or three learning stations within a class period.
Ed Policy
Hey Kansas: Don’t Cut Online Learning; Expand Course Choice
The Kansas legislature is looking for ways to save money. They are considering another 50% cut in the reimbursement rate for full time online learning which (at $5700/student) is already funded at about half of traditional K-12.