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 This blog is no longer being updated.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
Blended, Project-Based and Social Emotional Learning at Thrive Public Schools
A recent school visit to Thrive Public Schools in San Diego gives a glimpse of the future of learning: a unique model of blended, personalized and competency-based.
Education
Opinion
Measuring and Recognizing What Matters at Work
For employees who bring their own devices to work, inhabit multiple social networks and demand rapid feedback, the simple leaderboarded approach to gamification works.
Education
Opinion
Innovative Urban Education in Denver
We recently acted as Denver tour guides to a group of educators, parents and community leaders from Kansas City to share the innovative approaches to education taking place in five area schools.
Teaching
Opinion
7 Traits of a Learner-Centered Teacher
We've spent the past several weeks getting to know Harmony Public Schools in Texas. We asked teachers what it means to be an educator in a learner-centered environment, and here are some of their responses.
Classroom Technology
Opinion
Reflecting on Performance
Performance monitoring can inspire or embarrass students. Since the intent is performance reflection and engagement in growth, EdLeaders should be thoughtful about how data is used and presented.
Education
Opinion
Shift To Digital: EdTech 'Look Fors'
Statements of vision and system strategies, but the bottom line is how teachers and learners experience the change.
Education Funding
Opinion
Grants for New Assessment Systems Signal the End of the Big Test
The Assessment for Learning Project, a partnership between Center for Innovation in Education and Next Generation Learning Challenges, granted twelve grants totaling $2 million for rethinking assessment.
Education
Opinion
To Leaderboard or Not: The Art of Motivating and Monitoring Performance
While school leaderboards can help focus on achievement and the commitment to transparency for all students to witness, do they actually produce positive effects for struggling students?
Education
Opinion
Generic vs Coherent Teacher Prep
Graduate schools of education offer an assortment of courses that provide broad exposure to historical concepts in education and human development, yet are often divorced from practice.
Classroom Technology
Opinion
Shift To Digital: Classroom 'Look Fors'
The most important things to look for as evidence of the shift to blended and personalized learning are in the classroom. Statements of vision and system strategies, but the bottom line is how teachers and learners experience the change.
Education
Opinion
EdTech Products Supporting ELL
As globalization and immigration to the U.S. continue to grow, so do English Language Learner (ELL) needs. Here are EdTech programs and apps we've reviewed that can help.
Personalized Learning
Opinion
Two Strategies for Empowering Teacher Leaders
Coherence is key to quality in schools, and there are two key ways to create coherence for teachers and students.
Education
Opinion
Paradise Valley Schools Use Fiber and Video to Boost Teacher Collaboration
Paradise Valley Schools in Arizona use a variety of devices to improve student learning experiences as well as implementing online connectivity to boost teacher professional development.
Personalized Learning
Opinion
What to Look For: A Shared Vision of Powerful Learning
Making the #ShiftToDigitalEd unlocks the potential of high engagement personalized learning it extends learning time and options, it powers professional quality work products, and boost collaboration.