Archive
component:how.professional-learning
Appreciate Teachers by Providing Opportunities for Support
This year when I pondered teacher appreciation, Mr. Lambrecht came to the forefront of my mind. A dynamic and lively instructor, he didn't buy into our drama.
Improving Teacher Conditions & Careers
As the nation celebrates National Teacher Appreciation Week, we couldn’t think of a better way to honor National Teacher Day than with a paper that highlights the positive impacts that blended learning is having on the teaching profession.
NewSchools & New Tools: PD, Games & MOOCs
Tom Friedman summed up what we saw as a major theme of the conference by saying “With edtech, don't lose focus on what matters most - great teachers.” This theme seemed to be echoed in the sessions our team attended and hallway conversations.
The High School Challenge: Improvement vs. Innovation
How to help more students graduate ready for college and careers? We’re exploring the perennial question at the A+ Urban High School Summit in Denver.
Powering Lifelong Learning Relationships
We give lip service to the idea of lifelong learning but I don’t see an organization really executing against the idea. That’s about to change.
What Sort of Research Should We Be Doing on Blended Learning?
A foundation advisor asked, “Is there a smart approach donors might take with blended learning research?” Following are seven areas that could use some attention.
Next Generation Professional Training, Blending For-Me & For-Degree
Combining the benefits of anywhere, anytime interest-driven learning with standards-based learning is the design opportunity of our time. The explosion of anytime, anywhere learning is making new thought experiments possible. Even in professional education resulting in certification, it is possible to create pathways that are more active and work-based with more just-in-time learning rather than just-in-case learning.
Leading Edge Certification
The system of education certification is badly out of date and benefits schools of education more than K-12 schools. The rise of blended and online learning has accelerated the obsolescence of traditional employment barriers.
Managed Instruction vs Teacher Autonomy
Urban districts trying to ensure consistent rigor in every classroom have implemented programs of managed instruction--a common curriculum, shared lesson plans, pacing guides, periodic assessments, and associated professional development. While these programs can feel stifling, they often lead to incremental improvement.
The Infrastructure of Personalized Learning
In my previous posts I’ve written about my wishes for a personalized learning environment for my children, how such an environment is not yet available, and how we as a family have begun to use a wide variety of resources to essentially prototype such an environment. I use the metaphor of a “platform” – seeing education not as a single, monolithic experience to be performed upon our young people, but as a set of services that students and parents can use to meet their own, unique educational goals.