Reinventing K-12 Learning
This blog was written by Patrick Larkin, the assistant superintendent for learning for the Burlington Public Schools in Massachusetts. He served 15 years as a high school administrator and was a 2012 winner of the Digital Principal Award from the National Association of Secondary School Principals. This blog is no longer being updated.
Classroom Technology
Opinion
Are Digital Devices Paralyzing Your Productivity?
As we head into summer, this is a great time to renew our commitment to finding a sense of equilibrium in this endless battle against the flow of digital information and stay present and productive in our personal and professional lives.
College & Workforce Readiness
Opinion
Experience Can Be A Detriment In Supporting Student Innovation
As we head into summer, I hope that educators everywhere will spend some time thinking about minor or major changes they can make in their schools and classrooms to encourage students to develop their ability to create new solutions to old problems.
College & Workforce Readiness
Opinion
The Power of Letting Students Solve Problems in School
We created an adapted K-12 design thinking cycle that's perfect for students of any age, level, and subject area.
Privacy & Security
Opinion
Educator's Guide Takes the Mystery Out of Student Data Privacy
Education technology and student data privacy can coexist in harmony, as long as educators, parents, policymakers, and students continue to share the discussion and work together.
Classroom Technology
Opinion
Technology Addiction, It's Not Just For Kids
Despite the fact that it did not make the headlines, a quick look below at some of the research from the Common Sense Media study shows that the problems surrounding the constructive use of technology are just as significant for parents as they are for students.
Student Well-Being
Opinion
Let Students Veer From the Old Path
Be cautious about holding onto outdated traditions with white knuckles because we are comfortable with them. Encourage students to take a risk and try new things.
Families & the Community
Opinion
Getting Our Schools Focused On The Right Things
Instead of focusing on test scores, school rankings, and all of the other headlines that divide the stakeholders in school communities, communities need to get together and find out what we really believe is best for the future of our students.
Curriculum
Opinion
Looking For Perspective On Open Educational Resources
It clear that there are a lot more questions than answers on the topic of OER. However, I am pretty sure that when we have to allocate funds to find freely accessible resources then they are not really free resources.
Education
Opinion
School Leaders Are Tardy In Supporting Teens With Later Start Times
Despite the fact that our healthcare professionals are imploring schools to consider starting later in an effort to allow our students to be safer and more productive, the movement on this matter is still minimal.
Teaching
Opinion
What's The Hold Up With Ditching Homework?
Shumaker noted that Cooper's conclusion from his meta analysis of homework research was quite clear - "There is no evidence that any amount of homework improves the academic performance of elementary students."
Education
Opinion
Some Needed Perspective On EdTech Adoptions
Kohn and Greene focus on the fact that if we are looking at technology as the answer then we need to take a step back and be sure that we are asking the right questions.
Curriculum
Opinion
Open Educational Resources Are About Much More Than Saving Money
This transition will help us make the cultural shift that is necessary in our schools to truly prepare our students for the rapidly changing landscape beyond K-12 education.
Education
Opinion
My Edcamp Boston Takeaways
If you want to get a handle on what issues are impacting teachers, just head to an Edcamp and check out the schedule.
Classroom Technology
Opinion
Educators Shouldn't Act Differently on Social Media
The answer to the question of how educators should act on social media shouldn't be any different than the answer to the question, "How should educators act?"