EdTech
Radical choice
EdSector is holding an interesting online chat about online learning and the implications for choice. We’re trapped in the mindset of ‘this school or that school.’ That’s all going to change (relatively) fast. We’re headed for radical choice–not just school choice but choice to the lesson level. We’ll…
Are data systems worth the risk/cost?
National Journal asked “are state data systems worth the risk?” The terminal outcomes of K-12 aren’t only test scores and graduation rates, they should include college completion and employment. We can’t really measure K-12 effectiveness without the ability to know where high school leavers/graduates go. Our college dropout…
ESEA + ARRA = Big Lever
I spent most of the last 48 hours thinking about ESEA and ARRA. If NCLB is any precedent, we can assume that new and improved ESEA will frame most of the next decade. ARRA is a potent package of grants reflecting a core theory of change: common standards, measurement, strong…
How will digital learning replace print?
A consultant working for an instructional materials vendor called today to discuss market dynamics around the shift from print to digital. We discussed eight forces of change: 1. Cheap access devices. When I was a superintendent, laptops were $2500; now you can get a more powerful netbook for a…
Rocketship takes off
Rocketship Education was a prize winner at CSGF‘s Innovation Competition last month (I served as ajudge). My friend Gisele Huff has been trying to get me to visit them for years because of their interesting blended model that incorporates online learning. The first school of San Jose nonprofit is in the…
The disruptive power of learning technology
Had a little sidebar in the NYTimes Magazine this morning. There were supposed to be a dozen short responses to “What is the most important – or hardest – thing to change in education today and how would you change it?” Sounds like the piece got axed…
Pressure for more RttT winners
Eduflack reflects on pressure to expand the number of RttT winners. To his observations I’d add growing White House and Congressional pressure to spread the peanut butter and to make more awards in phase 1. Patrick’s post made me re-read the application and eligibility requirements and the selection criteria (…
The education bubble
Marketplace economics correspondent Chris Ferrell suggested that we’re nearing the end of an “education bubble” where college is not worth what families are spending. Ferrell suggested that the hyperinflation in higher ed costs is mainly because of widely available inexpensive student loans. Ferrell suggests that…
EdNet (and Chicago) reflections
With the biggest crowd ever, the mood at EdNet was much different than last year. There were lots of start-ups and more funders and investment bankers than ever. The agenda was all about digital learning (we may finally be moving past thinking about EdTech on the periphery and…
Education Needs to be Turned on Its Head
A Leo Babauta post (via Milton Ramirez tweet) recites the failings of the age cohort-batch process-compliance rewarding system knows worldwide. The system fails to prepare about two-thirds of American kids–all but the compliant and well supported. And, as Leo points out, while we talk about innovation and creativity, we still have…