Archive
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Ed Policy
Putting It All Together to Make Schools Smarter
Third in a series, this post considers the investment, innovation, and employment models that will create smarter schools and more attractive environments and career pathways for educators.
EdTech
Build on Strengths, Explore Interests, Shore Up Weaknesses
About 40 months ago Nicholas Carr was suggesting that the Internet was making us stupid—which I thought was stupid. So I wrote Getting Smart: How Personal Digital Learning Will Make Us Smart. I, for one, am very optimistic about the potential to dramatically boost achievement and completion rates here and around the world.
EdTech
Short Cycle Efficacy Trials Key to Personalized Learning
This fall the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation made grants of $1.3 million for short cycle efficacy trials. Three “test bed networks” each received $100,000: New Schools for Chicago, NYC iZone, and the Bay Area Innovation Hub. Five platforms shared the balance: BrightBytes, CFY (PowerMyLearning), eSpark, Motion Math, and Common Sense Media.
Personalized Learning
Next-Gen Learning Models Blend Tech & Experiences
Critics argue that blended and competency-based learning is just testing all the time. They chafe at what appears to be more mindless box checking. When I visit credit recovery labs and see students flying through online lessons and taking end of unit multiple choice quizzes, we worry that there is some truth to the criticism.
Leadership
The EduPreneurs #04: Zack Galant, CodeHS
December 9-15 is Computer Science Week. You can find lots of ways to get kids involved at CodeHS.com/HourofCode.
Ed Policy
10 Elements of Next-Generation K-12 Systems
Next generation systems--across a state or region--will share ten elements: goals, standards, a focus on personalized learning, assessments, talent development, authorizing, data systems, accountability, funding, connections, and supports.
Leadership
10 Trends Driving the Future of Education
I believe the ultimate power of blended and online learning lies in the potential to transform the education system and enable higher levels of student-centered learning through competency-based approaches.
Personalized Learning
How Do I Blend My Network? And Other Great Questions From an Ohio Safari
The good news is that I was in good company at the Ohio Alliance of Public Charter Schools annual conference. Here are a couple of the topics we discussed.
Personalized Learning
Online & Blended Learning Resources
iNACOL is an incredible resource for educators, leaders, policymakers and anyone interested in tracking developments in personalized learning. Keep up with iNACOL news and news across the field by signing up for Plugged In and keep an eye on the iNACOL website for webinars, new resources, and blog posts that track current implementation efforts and address key policy questions.
Ed Policy
New Orleans: A System Transformed
Kingsland, keynoted the Moodle conference in New Orleans (#MootUSLA13) yesterday. He recapped the devastation of Katrina and the ensuing opportunity to rethink the education system.