future of learning
Ed Policy
Cage-Busting for Smart Cities
Creating a great education system isn’t just a matter of practice, because rules, regulations, contracts, and cultures can stymie even the most committed educator. But it can’t just be a matter of policy, because what really matters is what educators do in schools—and policies can make people do things but they can’t make them do them well (see school turnarounds, teacher evaluation, et al.).
Leadership
Moving Towards Next Generation Learning
We are, let’s face it, a Tower of Babel when it comes to defining what we’re all doing here. That sounds disparaging, but I don’t actually mean it that way. Re-imagining the desired outcomes and the common student experience of America’s public schools is a messy, chaotic business – and that’s what real change looks like.
Personalized Learning
Connectivity is Critical: 33 Ways Broadband Boosts Learning
Connectivity powers personalized learning, makes connections with the world, helps meet special needs, powers professional work products, supports professional learning, boosts productivity, supports community and collaboration, and saves money.
EdTech
New Horizon Report Insists Teachers Use Tech
Aside from being great content for your next Twitter chat, this year’s iteration of the NMC Horizon Report is a must-read for 21st century educators and education policy makers alike. Following is a summary of major points.
Personalized Learning
Teachers Drive Instruction; Technology Accelerates Learning
As we’ve grown, we’ve refined a model that features high-quality, small-group instruction combined with targeted use of instructional technology to ensure that every student can learn at his or her own pace, and achieve at the highest levels.
Personalized Learning
Boise – An Emerging Ecosystem for Education Innovation
People in Boise don’t spend a lot of time talking about themselves or their accomplishments. They just get on with the work at hand, and in their free-time enjoy the state’s abundant natural beauty.
Personalized Learning
The Path to Systemic Innovation
The era of standards-based reform has brought significant progress to America over the last 25 years. Especially in states that pursued it with consistency - Massachusetts, Maryland and Texas, for example - the results are clear. The Common Core and its associated assessments might be seen as the culmination of that phase of US educational development.
Ed Policy
Prize & Pull Mechanisms to Boost Learning
We are only just beginning to realize the potential for prizes to mobilize global expertise and accelerate innovation in education, according to the co-authors of a newly released paper. “Using Prizes & Pull Mechanisms to Boost Learning.”
Ed Policy
EdTech 10: Staying Connected
This week has been all about connectivity. As students head home for the summer and teachers plan for the next school year, the education world is preparing to find new ways to keep us all connected. For more on what connectivity matters check out this blog and see the top stories of the week.
EdTech
EdTech: Extending the Teacher
Over the past few years I have begun to integrate a lot of technology into my first grade classroom, data analysis, and family engagement strategies. I have seen some real wins, and also have seen some real weaknesses.