Personalized Learning
Personalized learning is a mindset and approach to teaching that focuses on meeting each learner where they are and tailoring a curriculum that considers their interests, prior knowledge and skill level, and pace. Such a demand on the teacher requires sophisticated usage of technology in a combination of personalized, blended and online learning.
10 Benefits & 10 Concerns About the Shift to Digital Learning
Rhode Island has produced leading innovations like the Big Picture network but it is in the back of the pack when it comes to online and blended learning (see the Digital Learning Now scorecard) but Gist's team is working hard to change that. If the enthusiastic group of 300 adult learners that spent the day at Rhode Island College are any indication, learning opportunities will improve for Rhode Island kids in the next year.
When Worlds Collide
It was a tough week for those of us that supported NCLB for the bipartisan support for equity it signaled and the baseline school accountability system it required. Obama announced waivers and Kline just wants the feds out of education. Fordham offered a better solution.
Could Teacher Evaluation Initiatives Power Down Technology-driven Innovation?
Teacher quality is arguably the largest policy shift in education today and will have a lasting impact on our public education system. Legislatures across the country are hammering out systems intended to improve, reward, and redistribute quality instruction – including teacher evaluation systems and systems to differentiate compensation.
Flex Schools Personalize, Enhance and Accelerate Learning
Flex schools offer an online core curriculum with on-site academic support and guidance, integration and application opportunities, and extracurricular activities. Students in flex schools progress as they demonstrate mastery in most courses. Every community should have a flex option that provides a fully supported individualized pathways to graduation.
Yes! A Productivity Agenda!
In a recent report (and a wave of blog posts) it is clear that Bruce Baker takes offense at the current discussion around improving productivity in public education.
Turkish Kids Are Getting Tablets, What’s Your State Doing?
ast August Fast Company broke the story that Turkish officials were having conversations with US companies about their plans to equip every student with a tablet computer. This morning, World Bulletin reported that the first 12,000 tabs are arriving at schools as part of the Movement to Increase Opportunities and Technology (FATİH) project.
The NEA Spells Out Support for Blended Learning
The NEA issued a policy brief in support of blended learning. The policy prescriptions are mostly on track but the report missed the potential to improve working conditions and career opportunities for teachers.
DJ Your Classroom: The Digital Playlist
Wednesday was Digital Learning Day, and the Renfro Manor celebrated in the traditional manner with high-fructose digitalization: Youtube, Pandora, Twitter, Moodle, Cabanga, Skype, G-talk, Blackboard, Time4Learning, Facebook, LinkedIn, NCVPS, Apple TV, IMs, playlists, and then I dropped the kids off at school.
A Bold Approach to Cultivating Tomorrow’s Teachers
Denver is on the leading edge of a national movement in teacher preparation—one that is has the potential to transform our classrooms and unlock a key to success in our schools.
Technology Transforms Teachers Into Master Chefs of the Classroom
A teacher is like a chef of the classroom, creating recipes for learning, devising experiences for students the way an expert chef composes a dining experience. A skillful teacher processes an almost constant stream of micro-decisions, juggling many lessons, as they plan, carry out, and adapt.