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.
Good Work: Leave a Legacy, Teach
M. Scott Peck suggests that love is extending yourself to serve another person’s growth. In this sense, teaching is the essence of love. To teach is to leave a legacy of expanded human potential. It is a calling that every man, women and child has the opportunity to participate in - the highest calling of human existence and the greatest gift of the human spirit.
What I’m Seeing: Show What You Know
It’s the beginning of the end of pointless post-secondary. Thousands of young people accumulated mountains of debt from college degrees that aren’t worth much–they didn’t learn much and they aren’t employable. The last two days in GettingSmart.com I’ve discussed the increased focus on outcomes and the development…
Staff Picks: Early College, Friday Films, Technovation Challenge, Jeb Bush
Karen says, "Couldn't pick just one, these two are great. First pick is Friday Films by SchoolTube: Educator Demonstrates STEM Concepts With Origami. I was completely entranced with this project. Great fun! Second pick is Breaking News Alert: Bloggers Are Getting Smart from our blogger Adam Renfro. Nothing says it better, glad to set it straight".
What I’m seeing: anything, anytime learning
This is the second in a series of ten (or more) blogs on edtech startup categories where there seems to be strong activity. Yesterday I wrote about productive post-sec--folks serious about academic outcomes as well as cost. Today we’re exploring the dynamic category of Informal learning, mostly--non-degree seeking “I need/want to learn something” category. In some cases these options are an alternative to formal post-sec. What I’m seeing is activity in three categories: peer, now, do.
Breaking News Alert: Bloggers Are Getting Smart
News broke out late Thursday that there's some discrepancy over the real role of Getting Smart Bloggers. The blog's team of teachers hold strong with the statement that they're spending their time "getting smart." Yet, other sources claim that the bloggers are simply putting their feet up, wasting their time with 140 characters.
Educator Demonstrates STEM Concepts With Origami
An educator at Jersey Shore Middle School in Jersey Shore, PA published a video on origami hang gliders that float on waves of air. The video explores the ways that the paper hang gliders model the same concepts as hang glider pilots, surfers and more to create lift to carry weight over a wave of air or water.