Schools Worth Visiting
The Getting Smart team visits hundreds of schools each year and is grateful for the opportunity to see high-quality teaching and learning in action. This series features stories of schools that share best practices, lessons learned and next-gen teaching practices that support high-quality, personalized, project-based learning for all students.
Human-Scale at Scale: Personalization, But to What End?
By: Tom Beresford. While touring learner-centered schools in the U.S., I had the opportunity to visit and witness two innovative models at Big Picture Learning and Summit Public Schools--both successful but with very different mindsets around their approach.
PhotoBlog | Teton Science Schools & The Power of Place-Based Learning
I recently had the opportunity to visit Teton Science Schools, our partner in Getting Smart’s “Power of Place” campaign. Here are some initial thoughts from the many things I learned, as well as photos of that beautiful part of our country.
Four Ways Students Learn from School Gardens
By: Liz Wimmer. I recently discovered that students actually eat more vegetables at school if they help grow them in the school garden, and that school gardens are powerful places that deepen student learning in these four ways.
Cultivating Cross-Cultural Competence in Costa Rica
By: Abel McClennen. Learn more about La Paz Community School: a rural, ecologically and ethnically diverse PreK-12 school in Costa Rica where all cultures, ethnicities and socioeconomic levels are openly embraced and celebrated.
Data is Great, but Action is Key
By: Dr. James E. McCoy. As a superintendent, I need to empower principals and teachers with technology to successfully execute our educational development plan while meeting all standards. Here is how my district plans to do both this school year.
Professional Grade: Magic Happens When Students Own High Standards
High expectations are an important part of a school model, culture and community. Here are several examples of schools and programs that are helping students learn to deliver on professional grade expectations.
Shaping Character Through Culture in Our African Schools
By: Oliver Sabot. Education in Africa has been several decades behind much of the world, and we launched our organization with a vision of helping the continent’s schools not only catch up but leap ahead of global standards.
Promoting Technology Careers through Local Business Partnerships
By: Jeff Bushman. K-12 districts must find creative ways to prepare students for the college and careers of the future. Here is how my district developed a comprehensive computer science curriculum by partnering with a local business.
Rethinking High School Graduation Requirements: Project & Microcredentials
The majority of graduation requirements in today's schools have looked similar for over a century. It's time to rethink what today's graduates should know and be able to do, as well as our teaching approach.
Construction Technology and Habitat for Humanity: Partnering for the Future
By: Randall Hust. Byron Martin Advanced Technology Center students are gaining valuable construction technology experience that can help them transition from classroom to career by building a real house with Habitat for Humanity.