Career & Technical Ed
future of learning
Personalized Learning
Microsoft Innovative Schools
New school models that leverage technology provide a useful picture of the future. Last week, in a three-blog series, I profiled next generation school models that leverage newopportunities, incorporate experiential learning, and promote system redesign.
Personalized Learning
In Context: Connecting Classrooms to the Real-World
In one scene of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, a classroom of glaze-eyed high schoolers stare into space while their teacher drones on in painfully boring monotone, Anyone? Anyone?
Leadership
Combating Cyberbullying in Schools, One Compliment at a Time
A lot of people walk around high school feeling all by themselves. They think that no one cares about them or that they are not one of the “cool kids.” Other kids walk around self-conscious, and under-appreciated, which leads them to the terrible world of cyber bullying. Here at West High Bros, we are doing everything that we possibly can to change that. It is a daunting task, but not one that is impossible. In fact, in our school the guidance counselors have reported that, since our group started, reports on bullying have gone down drastically.
Personalized Learning
Smart Cities: Baltimore’s Digital Harbor
Last Thursday night a closed recreation center became a Tech Center in Baltimore's Federal Hill neighborhood. When Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced the city was closing 25 of the 55 rec centers , Andrew Coy (@AndrewCoy) a teacher at Digital Harbor High School and Shelly Blake-Plock (@BlakePlock) faculty associate at Johns Hopkins University School of Education sought an alternative to the center closing. One of the rec centers was a block from Digital Harbor High School where Andrew was developing an after-school program in web design.
EdTech
Part 2: 36 Smart Ways to Use Smartphones in Class
In continuation of last week’s article, Part 1: 44 Smart Ways to Use Smartphones in the Classroom, here is a newer list of thirty-six additional ideas to help leverage the power of these tech gadgets into the learning environment. In this blog post, I have attempted to avoid any redundancies, and I sincerely hope my endeavors were successful.
Personalized Learning
Next-Gen Models Break New Ground, Promote System Redesign
The 20 breakthrough school models recognized by the Gates Foundation funded Next Generation Learning Challenges (NGLC) took on the turnaround challenge, leveraged higher education partnerships, and improved the performance and sustainability of school networks (as outlined inpart one of this three-part series). They also illustrate how blended learning supports and extends experiential learning (part two).
EdTech
GOOD Sparks Creative Education Innovation in LA
GOOD and Marriott's Live, Work and Create in L.A. Maker Challenge selected three of 10 finalists who are young entrepreneurs with big plans to make a difference in education. The entrepreneur with the best idea will provide one finalist with the opportunity to spend a week in GOOD’s offices in Los Angeles to further develop their idea so they can make a real difference in education.
Personalized Learning
7 Teacher Questions About Common Core State Standards
The Riverside Unified School District is taking a collaborative approach in the transition to Common Core State Standards (CCSS) by bringing together teachers from different levels and disciplines to serve as Common Core Ambassadors. These ambassadors will work together to discuss ideas, and to provide input regarding district-wide implementation. We have our second meeting next month, and I am looking forward to the process.
Personalized Learning
Next-Gen Models Attack Problems, Leverage Opportunities
It's great if you think you have a good sense of how a next-generation school would work, but good luck trying to get funding. Most school districts don't have a process to respond to new school proposals much less funding them. And good luck getting a grant for a charter school before you get a charter approved (i.e., when you really need the money). That's why, given the emerging potential for personalization, the Next Generation Learning Challenges(NGLC) is a timely and important program.
EdTech
5 Virtual Field Trip Experiences
Today the field trip is not being used as it once was. Stories of my father being taken to the meat packing plant in his small town are old news. Even being taken to cultural museums are a thing of the past and are even considered safety hazards, because of the intrigue that students have in everything that is going on around them. Sharing a unique experience with classmates is being taken away. Luckily, we now have technology that is being implemented in the classroom that allows these students to go on a field trip anywhere in the world without leaving the classroom.