Leadership
Content that enables educators, edleaders, organizations and families to increase capacity, apply a growth mindset and implement what’s next in learning on behalf of those entrusted to them.
Principles for Model Online & Blended Learning Legislation
The International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) released a Statement of Principles for Model Legislation in States. The principles are fully aligned with Digital Learning Now!, a framework for state policy released in 2010. The principles are a useful guide not only for state policy…
Playing the Teacher Evaluation Game – A Race to Nowhere
For the past two years, the Department of Education, state departments of education and education foundations have proffered “teacher effectiveness” initiatives focused on evaluation systems, but none has truly moved the needle when it comes to closing the student achievement gap. Are evaluation systems the answer to poor academic achievement in the classroom?
Good Work: Embracing Paradox
Most jobs today require you to think for yourself and the questions are getting tougher. Many jobs seem to be rich in paradox, two things that cannot both be true but must be. Paradox offers no easy answers for managers or organizations but it does guide learning.
Staff Picks: Opportunity Gap, Resilience & Learning Apps
Karen and Carri Pick “The Education Response to the Opportunity Gap” Karen says, “There’s still lots of work to do to improve the opportunity gap. I really appreciate all of the groups mentioned here. Not time to slow down on equity.” Carri says, “Tom does a great…
Staff Picks: EdTech, Blended Learning, Summer Learning
Karen Picks “Book Review: Born to Rise“ Karen says, “Deborah’s heart warming story of turning a painful life event into a chance to make a difference is powerful. She was relentless in her pursuit to open schools in tough neighborhoods for students that needed them most. She built schools…
Staff Picks: Philanthropy, EdWeek, Online Education, & Blended Learning
Tom Picks "Blended Learning Can Improve Working Conditions, Teaching & Learning" Tom says, "Blending the best of online and onsite learning has the potential to personalize learning for students and teachers with more collaborative and flexible environments." Karen Picks "How Philanthropy Can Improve & Accelerate the Shift to Digital Learning" Karen says, "The exact focus of monetary amounts and targeted funding is so important to fundraising making this article a highlight to read."
Good Work: Freedom and Virtue
Father Robert A. Sirico, author of Defending the Free Market: The Moral Case for a Free Economy, argues that a free economy promotes charity, selflessness, and kindness. He argues that free-market capitalism is the best way to ensure individual success, broad prosperity, but also the path to a moral society. Sirico suggests we’ve explore alternatives to free markets and they kill individual freedom, dampen incentives for enterprise, and quash creativity and innovation.
Staff Picks: Blended Learning, Higher Ed, ISTE, DigLN
Tom Picks “Who Governs the Child?” Tom says, “The central tenant of Digital Learning Now!, a framework for state policy, is expanded access to the world of digital learning. The North Carolina struggle that Jeff writes about is emblematic of our time–the shift from a time when…
Good Work: The Abundance Mindset
There are two kinds of change agents—angry ones and hopeful one. The hopeful ones work toward new solutions. A subset of them approach the world with the ‘abundance mindset’ knowing that we’re riding an exponential curve that promises innovation. Abundant mindsets have mapped the human genome and launched space flights; they will expand access to quality education and extend life. They might even fix Washington DC.
Staff Picks: College/Career Readiness, Denver Turnaround, Online Assessment
Tom Picks “Q&A: David Conley on College & Career Readiness“ Tom says, “This post explores common expectations for college readiness benefits students, teachers, colleges, and content developers. David Conley is in the middle of facilitating a rich debate about readiness. I appreciate his responses in this Q&A.” Karen Picks…