Assessment
Personalized Learning
Infographic: The Countdown to Next-Gen Assessments
Digital Learning Now! (DLN) today released “Getting Ready for Online Assessments,” the third interactive paper in the DLN Smart Series, which provides recommendations for states and districts to prepare for new, online assessments in the wake of Common Core State Standards (CCSS) implementation in the 2014-15 school year. Here is an infographic that describes the shift to the online assessments over the course of the next 21 months.
Ed Policy
Digital Learning Now! Offers Advice to States & Districts Preparing for Online Assessment
Digital Learning Now! (DLN) today released “Getting Ready For Online Assessments,” the third interactive paper in the DLN Smart Series, to plan a pathway of administering new, online assessments in the wake of Common Core State Standards (CCSS) implementation in the 2014-15 school year.
Personalized Learning
Powering the Real Revolution in Higher Education
We've heard a lot about Massively Open Online Courses (MOOCs) -- the breakout trend of the year -- but it's still a fringe concept feeding what Clayton Christensen calls non-consumption. The real story is how the diverse web of nearly 5,000 institutions (broadly speaking) of higher learning in the U.S. are responding to cost pressure, calls for higher completion rates and better job preparation, and student demands for relevance.
Ed Policy
Will Common Core State Standards Accelerate or Slow Innovation?
Some friends are working on a paper on the topic of common standards and innovation. The primary question is how and whether the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) will accelerate or slow innovation.
EdTech
ASAP Case Study
A Getting Smart case study on the Automated Student Assessment Prize (ASAP) that invited teams to build software systems that could grade written responses on state standardized tests as accurately as trained experts.
Personalized Learning
Preview of Back to School Week on GettingSmart
We have a great line up of blogs for next week, join the conversation. We'll review Michael Fullan's new book, find out why Cal St asked Pearson to help expand online options, study blended learning modes, learn about online speech therapy, find out how Common Core standards are different, and contemplate new approaches to research
Personalized Learning
Building the Digital Learning Superhighway
Next month there will be a lot of U.S. students holding an iPad looking at a spinning wheel. Cheaper devices, powerful apps, successful school models, and preparation for online assessments is boosting student access to technology. But in most places, the pipes won't be ready for all the traffic.
Personalized Learning
Placement Exams: The Hidden Gateway
While many have focused on ACT and SAT, the tests that drive attendance at selectives (a small percentage of post secondary students), there has been little attention paid to placement exams—the real hurdle in the system for young adults that want to earn college credit. JFF just released a must read report, Where to Begin? The Evolving Role of Placement Exams.
Personalized Learning
NRC Report Highlights Importance of Deeper Learning
While the NRC definition of deeper learning purportedly shifts from "21st century skills" to broader "21st century competencies" including skills, knowledge, and expertise, the definition seems accurate - but a bit shallow.
EdTech
NAF Launches Student Certification Assessment System
National Academy Foundation announced a new certification system today. We think it signals a real commitment on NAF's part to getting serious about outcomes. We are bullish on certification systems as market signaling strategy that will grow in importance over time. We like the way NAF approached the design of this system. They are one of small handful of organizations that has the reach to do this at scale. In other words, we think this is a pretty big deal.