Leadership Blog

Vander Ark on Innovation

This blog was written by Tom Vander Ark (@tvanderark), an education advocate, adviser, and author of Getting Smart: How Personal Digital Learning is Changing the World. Tom is Founder and Executive Editor of Getting Smart and a partner in Learn Capital. This blog is no longer being updated.

Education Opinion EdWeek Chief Reflects on Three Decades of Change in U.S. Education
A chat with Virginia Edwards, Education Week's chief editor and president of Editorial Products in Education (EPE), about what she has witnessed in education transformation over the three decade span of her career.
Tom Vander Ark, August 3, 2016
1 min read
Teaching Opinion Project-Based and Place-Based Learning in New Tech Schools
Here are two examples of how New Tech Network schools often engage in project-based and place-based learning experiences that leverage partnerships and community assets for authentic and meaningful student learning.
Tom Vander Ark, August 1, 2016
6 min read
Teaching Opinion Genius Loci: Place-Based Education & Why It Matters
We have set out on a journey with Nate McClennen and Teton Science Schools to learn more about Place-Based Education: what it is, why it works and who is doing it.
Tom Vander Ark, July 26, 2016
6 min read
Education Opinion Platforms Have Transformed the Economy. Is Education Next?
In their new book, Platform Revolution, authors Geoffrey Parker, Marshall Van Alstyne and Sangeet Choudary explore how digital platforms are transforming our lives-especially in EdTech.
Tom Vander Ark, July 25, 2016
5 min read
School & District Management Opinion Unleashing Greatness: Barber & Klein Release Playbook for Innovation
A new paper from education leaders outlines nine strategies for system level innovations to help spark change in education systems trapped by tradition and paralyzed by layers of policy.
Tom Vander Ark, July 20, 2016
2 min read
Education Opinion Dual Language Education for Equity & Economic Development
Dual language programs will not only improve academic outcomes for both ELLs and English speakers, but can also help them obtain a competitive advantage in the growing global marketplace.
Tom Vander Ark, July 18, 2016
7 min read
Education Opinion Designing Beautiful Places for Learning
Victoria Bergsagel, president of Architects of Achievement, has helped envision successful programs and inspiring spaces for hundreds of schools. Here are ten suggestions she offers for opening stellar schools.
Tom Vander Ark, July 11, 2016
2 min read
Education Opinion The Nuts & Bolts of Opening A New School
As part of our series on opening great schools, here is advice from education experts who have opened many new schools on what to include on the final pre-opening checklist.
Tom Vander Ark, July 5, 2016
6 min read
Education Opinion 10 Lessons in Leading New School Development
We surveyed 20 experts and education leaders about the important aspects of new school development, and here are 10 leadership lessons they shared for successful new school development.
Tom Vander Ark, July 4, 2016
11 min read
College & Workforce Readiness Opinion Superintendents Aim to Redefine Readiness
The national Redefining Ready! campaign was launched by the AASA to more fully communicate readiness for college, careers and life. Here is a recap of what was learned.
Tom Vander Ark, June 29, 2016
3 min read
Education Opinion Get the Culture Right: The Most Important New School Factor
What's most important when opening a new school? I asked 20 experts and it's clear that getting the culture right is the single most important factor in the long term success of a school.
Tom Vander Ark, June 27, 2016
5 min read
Education Opinion Is it a Project or an Activity? Project-Based Learning and its Cousins
In an effort to help educators select a strategy appropriate for intended outcomes, this post is an attempt at providing a framework for variations on project-based learning (PBL).
Tom Vander Ark, June 23, 2016
6 min read
Education Opinion Next Gen High Schools
There's never been a better time to transform a classroom or open a new school, and here are several examples of next-gen schools currently paving the way for innovations in education.
Tom Vander Ark, June 20, 2016
3 min read
Education Opinion One Stone Launching Innovative New High School in Boise
In three months 32 Boise teenagers will experience a very different kind of school, one "rooted in empathy, innovation and student-centered learning" to prepare them for whatever path they choose after graduation.
Tom Vander Ark, June 15, 2016
1 min read