Competency-Based Education
EdTech
Ed Policy
CA Leaders Converge at STEM Education Summit
With California business, civic and education leaders sounding alarm bells about the vital need to bolster the state’s lagging science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, the California STEM Learning Network (CSLNet) is convening business, government, education, nonprofit and philanthrophic luminaries to jump-start new STEM education initiatives at the 2012 California STEMSummit taking place October 15 and 16 at the Sheraton San Diego.
EdTech
10 Free Tools for Everyday Research
Why do so many students choose Wikipedia when asked to find information on the Internet? I believe the answer is that Wikipedia is like the McDonalds of the Internet, you can always find it and you know what you’re going to get. Quite frankly, I like Wikipedia because it provides students with a starting point for research and I am particularly fond of the way I’ve seen so many students develop their own method of research by using the links at the bottom to find more information.
Personalized Learning
25 Trends Disrupting Education Right Now
Disruption doesn’t sound like a pretty word, but in the long run, it can be a beautiful thing. Disruption is about shifting power. Eroding patterns. Breaking the system. In education, this can come from the most unlikely of sources.
Leadership
It’s Time for a Special Needs App Fund
Alesha Bishop and Lisa Valerio worked together for 10 years at Charles Schwab. After both gave birth to sons with special needs, they have reunited to support the development of learning tools for students with special needs and family-friendly apps.
EdTech
Staff Picks: Edtech, Online Learning
Sarah says, "Driving down the cost of education and learning with schools like the University of the People can expand access to learning for many and reignite a pasion for others. I'm excited to check out a few classes and see where I can expand my knowledge."
EdTech
SMARTtech: “Competency” is the Word of the Week
Dell is on the case (part two). The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation (MSDF) has released the second in a series of case studies that examine blended learning approaches, this time offering a case study of Summit Public Schools. Check out Diane Tavenner, the founder and CEO of Summit Public Schools, speaking about her experiences on the MSDF blog.
EdTech
Q&A: Alison Johnston Discusses InstaEDU & On-Demand Tutoring
We live in a world where you can buy plane tickets, a car, or even publish a novel instantly online. “Why shouldn’t learning be this convenient?” asked Alison Johnston, CEO of InstaEDU, an online, instant tutoring company for high school and college students. With $1.1 million in seed round funding from former Facebooker Chamath Palihapitiya’s The Social+Capital Partnership and several angels, Alison’s company is off to a strong start.
EdTech
Next-Gen Research On Next-Gen Tools
A national research agency received a grant "to frame a program of research reviews [focused on learning technology] that would summarize, synthesize, and draw conclusions from the research. An ongoing program of research reviews would help educators, developers, and policymakers to monitor and apply the latest research in the development and implementation of learning technologies and also to identify key questions and methodologies for future research and development."
Personalized Learning
A Letter to Parents of Digital-Age Students
First, let me thank you for entrusting me with teaching your children, honoring the amazing individuals they are, and helping them discover the confident and empowered young people they can be. Providing a rich and engaging environment for your children to learn in is my utmost concern, but Iately I have had to acknowledge that the young people I see every day do much of the learning that is important to them when they leave the parking lot and head home from school. Thus, I am writing to solicit your help.
Personalized Learning
NYC iZone: Innovation Hub and Change Management Model
How do we manage the shift to personal digital learning? That's the current whole-systems challenge in education. As Chancellor of the largest district in the country, Joel Klein decided New York City needed a kickstart and created the iZone.