Big Data Partnership: Promise & Problems
The Department of Education announced a data partnership with SRI called Evidence Framework for Innovation and Excellence in Education. The first paper is Enhancing Teaching and Learning Through Educational Data Mining and Learning Analytics: An Issue Brief. The data partnership should advocate more nimble forms of evidence gathering, recognize the important role of state policy, and take on the issue of comparability.
“Self-Learning” is the New “Schooling”
By: Dr. Idit Harel Caperton. The idea of “student-centered learning” coupled with “networked learning” has tossed the idea that all learning should only happen through schooling. No longer do classroom walls or school schedules dictate when high-quality learning occurs. Through certain uses of networked technology programs and tools, the lines between educator and learner have become more blurred—allowing individuals to serve in both roles at different times of the day.
Less Grading, More Teaching, Deeper Learning
Less grading, more teaching. More feedback, less waiting. Fewer worksheets, more writing. Less multiple choice, deeper learning. These are the reasons I’m spending a good portion of 2012 working on online assessment. Better assessment tools means better state tests and richer teaching and learning.
Youth Development & College Completion
I’ve been thinking about the relationship between the broad youth development principals that underlie successful youth organizations (and families) and the specific opportunities to significantly boost college completion rates. I’m quite optimistic that edupreneurs will develop tools and institutions that gradually boost the percentage of Americans holding a post-secondary credential. I’m a little less optimistic about the percentage of American youth that will grow up within a strong web of support.
Finally, Math Apps Show R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
There are no really good math apps out there. I’ve been convinced of this for some time based on nearly a decade of trying everything from online courses to video-game-like drills to the more recent iPad apps and flash cards. Available offerings tend to be inauthentic, in that they encourage rote procedures over real problem solving.
What I’m Seeing: 10 Terrific Tools
Here's powerful #EdTech tools for reading, writing, assessment, language, PD, behavior, music, presentation, and production.
What I’m Seeing: Coding Schools
This is the fourth post in a series of ten on categories where I’m seeing strong edtech startup activity. We’ve looked at productive post-sec, informal learning, and credentialing. A specific subset and application of the trends discussed so far is the rush to coding. The rash of coding startups suggests that everyone wants to learn to write computer code.
SmartTech: Tab Testing, Apps, Biz Models, & Better Higher Ed
Tablet testing. We think there’s a pretty good chance that both PARCC and SBAC will allow tablets (iPads specifically) for testing. That would be good news for all the districts buying tablets but as Tom discussed in getting ready for online assessment, there are many issues…
Magnifying the Power of Learning with e-Portfolios
Over the years, one of the major problems in higher education has been our inability to provide evidence of what students learn, particularly those broader skills and attributes critical to students’ future success. At a time when employers, parents, students, and society are demanding a new level of accountability for the rising costs of college, institutions that help their graduates present solid proof of what they learned will be at a competitive advantage.
On the Blended Learning Road with DSST’s Jake Firman
Jake Firman, Denver School of Science and Technology is on a blended learning road trip. In the first of a series, he considers individualized instruction for students, rich banks of digital content, and achievement recognition systems.