Career & Technical Ed
EdTech
Personalized Learning
Yes! Zeens in the Classroom!
I know if I announced to my middle school students, “I want you to create your own digital magazine,” a lot of hands would be thrown over heads and many loudly whispered “yeses” would be heard immediately. With the new site Zeen.com, I actually can give my classes this dream assignment.
EdTech
8 Educational Apps for Homeschooling
Homeschooling your children can sometimes be difficult, but as with everything, there is an app for that. There are a ton of educational smartphone apps that are on the market these days. The subjects of these apps can range anywhere from history to math or even to physics. If you are looking to change up your children's lesson plan or even need something extra help to make learning fun, try using an app to help get the information across.
Ed Policy
Puget Sound Districts Will Lead the Way on Personalization
Earlier this month the Department announced the 16 winning applicants to the Race to the Top District competition. The nearly $400 million will be split by 55 districts in 11 states.
Personalized Learning
When Blended Learning Becomes Calvinball
So, it took me a while to write this because I was waiting for the right words to come to me. I’ve had the topic for a while – it was just the vocabulary that was not coming. This past weekend, the authors of this blog were featured on the State of Tech podcast (you can download it from iTunes or online at thestateoftech.org) and it was listening to my colleagues that finally brought the words to me for this post. So with that, I begin with the end in mind.
Personalized Learning
Q&A: A Split Screen Strategy Drives Proficiency-Based Learning
Ananth Pai, an elementary teacher in Minnesota, turned to game-based learning and a "split screen strategy" to engage and motivate students in the classroom. Today, Mr. Pai shares increased insight into his shift to a "split screen strategy" and how his efforts to personalize learning through proficiency-based learning model fit into a predominantly traditional school setting - with seat time, grades, and more.
EdTech
MIT Enterprise Forum Points To EdTech Opportunities
The MIT Enterprise Forum NW recently published Opportunities and Obstacles for Entrepreneurs in Education . The report covers the now familiar confluence of forces including foundations, venture investors, and incubators/accelerators;”What all these external efforts also have in common is that they don’t necessarily respect the traditional separations between types of education markets.”…
Ed Policy
Chicago Appoints Jack Elsey Chief Innovations Officer
Jack J. Elsey Jr. joined Chicago Public Schools as Chief of Innovation and Incubation. Formerly Elsey was Chief Schools Officer for Detroit Rising College Preparatory Schools and Assistant Superintendent in the Detroit Public Schools.
Personalized Learning
Despite Bad News, Progress is Possible
I have a hard time watching evening news--especially in the last few weeks--the headlines are hard to swallow. You can’t help but assume that things are getting worse. It’s depressing. But the news doesn’t give you an accurate picture of the long term trends that are making life better for more people on this planet.
Personalized Learning
The Sidekick & the Superhero: Using Google Drive For Peer-Assessment
“More efficient than an overworked teacher! More reliable than a carry-home satchel of ungraded papers! Able to simultaneously curate infinite comments from speedily working students! Look! On the computer screen! It’s an aggregator! It’s a sharing point! It’s Google Drive!
Personalized Learning
Q&A: Students Appreciate Proficiency-Based Learning, Says Coach
Jessica Smith, a proficiency-based learning coach in the Portland, Ore. area today shares insight into what it's like to teach teachers, make the shift, and adjust students to proficiency-based teaching and learning (PBTL).