Digital Learning Day–A Great Day to Expand Access in Michigan
The Digital Learning Now report card on Michigan specifically calls on the state to remove the cap on its cyber charter schools. Michigan policymakers should celebrate Digital Learning day by lifting the cap on its cyber charter schools.
SXSWedu Announces 2012 LAUNCHedu Finalists
SXSWedu® Conference today announced the finalists for the inaugural LAUNCHedu competition, a program that allows entrepreneurs to pitch their educational business concepts and educational products to a judging panel of venture capitalists, successful entrepreneurs and education practitioners.
SmartTech Roundup: FETC Debuts, Noteworthy Tech, Cheaper College
MIND Research Institute showed off its recently released ST Math Touch tablets, which will bring the visual math games from Jiji and ST Math to tablets for an increased mutli-sensory approach. View our exclusive video demo with Paul Blair.
Good Work: Service Above Self
What strikes me every year is the contribution mentality of the Rotarians. It’s a group of people that take seriously the Rotary International motto, service above self. They have made a commitment to this place and they steward with care. Many of them own a small business. They are doctors, accountants, insurance agents, and realtors. Sure, there is some enlightened self-interest at work here but it’s more than that. They have made a conscious choice to weave the fabric of community and to serve those in need.
Digital Learning Day: Ohio Celebrates Education Innovation
Digital Learning Day marks a nationwide celebration of innovative teaching and learning through digital media and technology that engages students and provides them with a rich, personalized educational experience. More than 30 states, hundreds of school districts, thousands of teachers, and more than a million students will encourage the innovative use of technology by trying something new, showcasing success, kicking off project-based learning, or focusing on how digital tools can help improve student outcomes.
Staff Picks: Chromebooks, Small Schools, Social Learning
Tom picks "Why Three Districts Chose Chromebooks Over Tablets" in response to this year's FETC. Karen picks "Study Validates Replacement of Big Bad Schools With New Small Schools," saying this is long overdue proof. Sarah picks guest blogger Kristen Swanson's post on making online learning social.
CTB Helps States Shift to Online & Common Core Assessment
It’s a tough time to be a state or district testing director: your budget has been cut, you’re supposed to align with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), and you’re trying to get your state ready for new online assessments from PARCC or SBAC but they won’t be out for three years. CTB McGraw-Hill has a three prong strategy to help states make the transition to online assessments aligned with the Common Core.
K12 & Project Tomorrow Say Tech Can Improve Critical Edu Challenges
K12, Inc. and Project Tomorrow recently published "Leveraging Technology to Close the Achievement Gap: A Critical Peer Survey," a white paper in a two-part series that examines results from the SPEAK UP national survey and ways edleaders are targeting critical challenges in education.
Kickin’ it old school and inventing the future
Most edreformers want the best version of old school for every student: talented teachers, high expectations, quality instruction, curriculum alignment, strong accountability, and enough standardized tests to verify all of the above. The problem is that it's really hard to pull off and scale. As Bob Wise has pointed out, digital learning is the solution to the teaching gap, the achievement gap, and the fiscal gap. Schools need to balance old school reforms while they phase in the future.
10 Findings That Will Shape Students Today for the Workforce Tomorrow
In the worst economy since the Great Depression, Californians are struggling to earn a living, get an education, and raise a family. How will we adapt to learn, work, and connect in the future? A new book with findings from Apollo Research Institute describes how businesses and workers will compete for jobs and opportunities in a global, technology-driven marketplace.