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.
Review: The Networked Teacher
The Networked Teacher: How New Teachers Build Social Networks for Professional Support by Kira J. Baker-Doyle evaluates the ways online social networks are reshaping culture around personal learning networks and digital learning networks among educators today. Baker-Doyle delivers a strategic approach to utilize crowdsourcing to its fullest capabilities to deliver ongoing learning, answers, and advocacy for the classroom.
Q&A: How Can We Increase STEM Opportunities for Special Needs Students?
The upcoming ABC Family movie, "A Smile as Big as the Moon," brings teacher Mike Kersjes and Joe Layden's moving memoir about one special education class to life. Mr. Kersjes, a special education teacher for more than 10 years, shares the compelling story of how his class was the first group of special-ed students to attend Space Camp, a prestigious and competitive program at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center.
Carrots, Sticks & the Bully Pulpit
Carrots, Sticks & The Bully Pulpit reviews the federal role is largely discouraging for those of us interested in advancing educational equity and achievement. The was some consensus among the bipartisan authors that “federal policy makers have trouble holding a steady course amid all the interests and politics,” and that the “federal government lacks the authority and tools to effectively play an active role in school improvement.” On a more positive note, there was also some consensus that the feds had an important and doable role in promoting transparency and that the president and secretary had a valuable bully pulpit role.
All About Relationships: CRM in EDU
There are a handful of big companies that really understand customer relationships in a deep way. A couple of them sell this expertise in the form of customer relationship management (CRM) software and related consulting. Wikipedia says:
Secretary Duncan & Chairman Genachowski Join Digital Learning Day Town Hall
The first-ever Digital Learning Day, February 1, 2012, will feature a National Town Hall meeting with U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski, former governor and president of the Alliance for Excellent Education Bob Wise, Emmy Award-sinning journalist Leon Harris.
CER Lunchtime Lessons – Blended Learning
Tom Vander Ark discusses the models of blended learning and how its capabilities can benefit students, educators, and schools at the Center for Education Reform Lunchtime Lessons for School Choice.
Edcamp: Innovation In Professional Development
Professional development (PD) opportunities for educators today are still relatively limited to seasonal workshops and conferences. While this can be the preferred model for district administrators when looking at continuing education requirements, teachers are finding ways shake up the idea of traditional ongoing professional learning opportunities.
The Mature Brain: There’s Hope for the AARP Eligible
In his book The Mature Mind: The Positive Power of the Aging Brain, Gene Cohen describes "one of the brain’s most powerful tools is its ability to quickly scan a vast storehouse of templates for relevant information and past experience to come up with a novel solution to a problem. In this context, the mature brain is especially well equipped, which is probably why we still associate wisdom with age."
A Case for Certification
The U.S. needs more college grads or more preciesly a more job ready workforce. A portion of that need will be meet via informal learning strategies and recognized by certification and badging systems.
Staff Picks: Big Data, EdTech, SOPA/PIPA
Tom picks an article on increased data to develop finer-tuned praise and feedback for students. Karen picks an article by one of our guest bloggers on shifting the classroom to technology. Caroline picks an article discussing how the public helped turn over SOPA and PIPA in Congress. Sarah picks a post on the recent SOPA and PIPA bills that turned over this week.