Series
A Teacher’s Heart and Foundational Data
Please allow me to write honestly and drop it like it’s hot for a moment. To put it bluntly, I am afraid. You see, I have a recurring nightmare that often leaves me drenched in sweat with sky-rocketing blood pressure and my nerves shot. This dream, made unpleasant by a persistent sound of the mouse click, usually catapults me to an upright position in bed, only to stare into the darkness and whisper to myself, “Thank, goodness. It was just a dream.” Or was it?
Book Review: The Leader’s Guide to 21st Century Education
Ken launched the Partnership for 21st Century Learning a decade ago to add the 4Cs--critical thinking and problem solving; communication, collaboration; and creativity and innovation--to the 3Rs. He was successful at gathering corporate support for the agenda but it was slow to be adopted by school districts preoccupied by state testing programs.
The Viral Mentor
What drives people to create how-to, instructional, and DIY videos? Are they so passionate about their niche, their expertise, that they just have this desire to tutor others? That definitely sounds like the mentor archetype. There’s a little bit of Sal Khan in all of them and all of us.
Book Review: Hacking Your Education
Dale Stephens of UnCollege.org took an untraditional route to end up where he is now. An entrepreneur, a Thiel Fellow, respected author, speaker, mentor, and much more. Who would have thought that he dropped out of school when he was twelve?
EdTech10: A Weird Good Week
Seven letters dominated the news in our world this week - S X S W E D U. (Well, six letters technically, but you get our point.) The Getting Smart team had a great time in Austin. It was the perfect balance of informative sessions and engaging conversations before and after them.
The ThingLink Interactive Image Contest
Here is a great opportunity for teachers and students to have fun and try something new. Enter the ThingLink Interactive Image Contest The ThingLink Interactive Image Contest invites students to connect audio, video, images, and text in one cohesive presentation. Students will dig deeper into content through research to…
Metaskills: Five Talents for the Robotic Age
Marty Neumeier teaches companies to innovate. He shared lessons learned in his new book Metaskills: Five Talents for the Robotic Age. Neumeier sees machines taking jobs that don’t require creativity, humanity or leadership.
Smart Cities: Columbus
Two promising developments stood out on two trips to Columbus last month. The first is the four term Mayor’s Education Commission focused on revitalizing Columbus City Schools. The second is first ring suburban districts charting the path forward.
The Super Diploma
A particular Gen Z group has emerged as the super achievers, and I don’t mean just in the classroom. They have have launched their own startups and are serious content creators.
EdTech 10: In Like A Lion
You know what they say – March comes in like a lion, and goes out like a lamb. While you’re waiting for that transition in your corner of the world, take a break from your basketball brackets and annual hunt for all the green things in your wardrobe to dive…