Archive
element:for-whom
Personalized Learning
Innosight Institute Classifies K-12 Blended Learning In New Report
Innosight Institute released "Classifying K-12 Blended Learning," a report written by Heather Stake and Michael B. Horn defining blended learning and providing context for the models and methods in which it's used in the classroom.
Personalized Learning
Edmodo: Instant Blend, Quick Flip, Easy BYOD
Greg Wilborn and I have been at a couple of the same edtech conferences lately. He leads personal digital learning in Colorado Springs. We had breakfast with Edmodo chairman Rob Hutter today at Sharefair in Denver.
Personalized Learning
Capistrano Valley High School Demonstrates the Art of Animation
This week's featured SchoolTube film showcases Capistrano Valley High School's participation in the ACME Animation Network. Students at Capistrano draw, scan, and develop animated videos that they can then upload to the ACME site for educators, parents, industry professionals and peers to review.
Personalized Learning
The Pivotal Moment That Took My Literature Teaching Digital
I looked up from my grade book and stack of essays one day during my first year teaching to witness my class of thirty students all totally quiet with their books opened to the appropriate page. After all, they had their assignments, so shouldn’t they be quietly reading and ingesting the unbelievably compelling piece of literature before them? Wrong!
EdTech
Setting the Story Straight on Essay Scoring
There was lots of press on the OpenEd-led Automated Student Assessment Prize (ASAP) this week. Unfortunately, most of it was written by reporter skeptical that an algorithm cluster can score their writing. The results are pretty clear--the scoring engines are pretty good, certainly good enough to play a role in supporting better state tests and more classroom writing.
Personalized Learning
Better Tests, More Writing, Deeper Learning
In a recent private vendor demonstration, nine testing companies showed that “Machine scoring engines did as well or better than the human graders,” as reported by Dr. Mark Shermis. In an open competition, top engines will share $100,000 prize purse to be awarded May 9 in Washington DC.
EdTech
ASU Boosts Completion Rates With Data & Developmental Math
Dean Regier said completion rates for his online students--mostly working adults with prior college credits--are different than they are for 18 year old freshman but the basics still apply: build a foundation of basic skills, track progress, and get them on a path to a degree that makes sense for them.
Leadership
Staff Picks: ASU, Essay Scoring, EdTech Startups, & College Completion
Karen Picks “College Completion Q&A Sam Smith” Karen says, “I have always enjoyed Dr. Smith’s leadership in education. He is a true leader.” Sarah Picks ASU SkySong Ed Innovation Summit Sarah says, “We’re all excited to head to AZ next week for the Ed Innovation Summit!” Caroline Picks…
EdTech
Automated Essay Scoring Demonstrated Effective in Big Trial
A direct comparison between human graders and software designed to score student essays achieved virtually identical levels of accuracy, with the software in some cases proving to be more reliable, a groundbreaking study has found. The study, which was underwritten by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and managed by Open Education Solutions will be released here on Monday, April 16th, at the annual conference of the National Council on Measurement in Education.
Uncategorized
College Completion Q&A Sam Smith
Sam Smith is a director of Western Governors University, an online and competency-based program. He said, "We’ve found that a close working relationship with an academic advisor is the most important factor to completion. That’s a much more active role than the 1970s approach of creating a student center and hoping that students that need help seek it out. Weekly check-ins with an advisor ensures that students stay on track.