Personalized Learning
Developments in Delaware
While updating RttT handicapping I missed important developments in Delaware. It’s an important story for several reasons. It’s a story of strong political leadership. Delaware elected a smart and aggressive governor that will see this through with an empowered Secretary with direct line authority (equivalent of mayoral control at the…
Personalized Learning
Belief + Acceleration + Effective Practice = Success
Paul Wezman changed my daughter’s life. Â He is an extraordinary teacher that in the mid-90’s was making full use of instructional technology. Â Here’s a note from him about the importance of our perceptions of what kids can do and the importance of effective instruction. Â He’s a middle school math teacher…
Personalized Learning
EdReformer goes to India
Tom and Katherine (our capable project manager) head to India tomorrow for a 10 day tour of schools from the bottom of the pyramid to the top. Â Stops will include Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Delhi. Â We hope to share pictures, videos, and stories from teachers and school leaders. Â Contributions may…
Personalized Learning
Developments
Developments: Provost Academy launched a virtual high school in CO; Provost is an early example of 2nd gen content developed as learning objects A couple start-ups working around the big guys and developing high school elective content More evidence that charters work as outlined by James Merriman…
Personalized Learning
Parents Deserve Options
Wow, lots of hate for the parent trigger  from the ‘we know better’ bloggers on National Journal.  Here’s my take. What other service would survive for more than 5 years when more than half of the customers were dissatisfied? The only problem with the CA parent trigger is that…
Personalized Learning
The Final RttT Push (at least for Phase 1)
The mad scramble is on. Â Consultants and bureaucrats nationwide are putting the finishing touches on Race to the Top proposals this weekend. Â I’m sure a little last minute arm twisting is going on between state chiefs and district superintendents to get enough districts to opt-in to make state plans viable…
Personalized Learning
STEM Culture
The country’s first CTO, Aneesh Chopra, mentioned the President’s science and math initiative on his blog which includes a video of the president’s speech this week and showcases FIRST, the best STEM initiative in the US. At the 12 minute mark, President Obama recalls asking South Korea’s…
Personalized Learning
Blended Rumi
Coleman Barks, a poet in his own right, is the primary translator of Rumi’s 11th century Persian wisdom. In an interview with Bill Moyers, Barks said that he thought about this poem in relation to teaching, “it doesn’t really matter what the teacher talks about…what we remember were a few…
Personalized Learning
Edu-Policy Priorities for Congress
National Journal kicks off the new year by asking about congressional policy priorities. Â My brief on the run (after red eye) response follows. Congress should take advantage of the tremendous reform momentum that RttT has created by…
Personalized Learning
What's a Superintendent to Do?
This all gets interesting when you consider the merged capabilities of: School of One, a personalized playlist of tailored learning objects, adaptive content and virtual learning environments, virtual and blended school models, a smart back end that tracks learning (an LMS with visual student profile), competency bundles (like…