EdPolicy
New Tools + New Schools = Big Opportunity
For 20 years, education has been driven by standards-based reform. The focus on test-driven accountability resulted in a much-needed focus on data but in a narrow way that was often disconnected from powerful learning experiences. Standards-based reforms created an awareness of the value of great teachers and underscored the importance…
An EdChat Soundtrack: 60 Songs to Keep Your Class Jammin’
Pretend this: every day of your teaching career there is a gigantic boombox (Yes, I was raised in the '80s) hovering just above your head. It includes a very intuitive and accurate D.J. who constantly selects just the right song at the right time.
Smart Cities: New Orleans
Events like Mini Maker Faire prove that the future of school in New Orleans is a community effort - an effort by an entire city to invest in creativity, entrepreneurship, job creation in entire new industries, and the future of an entire city
How Government Helps and Harms Entrepreneurs
Thirty years ago there were a couple dozen incubators, now there are a couple thousand; there's even an association. A dated survey suggests about one-third of business incubation programs are sponsored by economic development organizations, one fifth by cities or counties, another fifth by higher education.
The Need for Design, Planning & Implementation Support
This is not “EdReform.” We’re going through a phase change, one that is fundamentally altering the way human beings learn and develop, how they communicate their capabilities, and how the work and relate to the world.
5 Ideas Likely to Make a Big Impact
The great thing about the IFC audience is the unusual commitment to impact and entrepreneurship.
Strong States & Common Standards
When talk turns to innovation, we usually think of a wizbang app, but advances in public policy can have an even bigger impact particularly on disadvantaged neighborhoods. The two most important policy advances in the last twenty years are Common Core State Standards and stronger state roles in education policy.
Hey Kansas: Don’t Cut Online Learning; Expand Course Choice
The Kansas legislature is looking for ways to save money. They are considering another 50% cut in the reimbursement rate for full time online learning which (at $5700/student) is already funded at about half of traditional K-12.
Do You Know Me? The Voice of a Disgruntled Student in a Boring Class
“Ignited by the opportunity for creative expression and fueled by talent-based, intrinsic motivation, students will relentlessly pursue higher truths and knowledge to create lives replete with challenges, service, integrity, happiness, fulfillment, and success.” We can call this standard TSBR-US1 (“This Should Be Reality-Universal Standard #1). It may not be too common in many classes, but I promise it will go right to the core of all students’ learning spirits.
EdTech 10: News From “The Space”
Whether you’re focused on policy or parenting, a teacher or a student, thinking kindergarten or college, the innovations in learning just keep coming--it’s getting easier to learn anything anywhere. Here are the top ten EdTech stories of the week.