by Tom Vander Ark August 16, 2011

Digital learning makes it easier to bring foreign language, math, science and AP courses to students. It can make language learning an engaging, ubiquitous daily experience. And it can help bring science to life and tailor math instruction. More »

Tags: digital learning, math, personalized learning, PHET, science

by Mickey Muldoon August 15, 2011

Uruguay is the first country in the world to commit to providing a free, internet-enabled computer to every one of its students, through the Massachusetts-based One Laptop Per Child initiative. More »

Tags: digital learning, EdTech, internet, Online Learning, students, technology

by Sarah Cargill August 15, 2011

This week’s SmartTech Roundup includes recent developments in OER, reports for educational technology and digital learning K-12 classrooms, buzz around Mobile Learning Devices in schools, new delivery methods of e-textbooks and a report for data privacy in districts. More »

Tags: e-textbooks, EdTech, education technology, OER, open education resources, Open educational resources, SIIA

by Tom Vander Ark August 15, 2011

SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) published its “content maps and specification” in English/language arts. They suggest complex tests that include adaptive assessment and demonstrations of learning. More »

Tags: assessments, SBAC, Smarter Balanced, standardized tests

by Tom Vander Ark August 14, 2011

Leadership requires empathy at scale and a broad perspective. Certainty is great for execution but the politics of public education are personal and that perspective-building dilog. More »

by Tom Vander Ark August 13, 2011

A baker’s dozen of August Op-Eds on leadership, assessment, online learning, and learning platforms More »

Tags: assessment, digital learning now, Online Learning

by Chris Korsmo August 12, 2011

Hard to believe we are in the last weeks of summer. Seriously. It hurts. Thinking about packing up a kindergartner and starting the all-too-fast race through school years is putting a limp in my strut. And fog. Seriously, Seattle? Thank (insert reference to your faith here) that there’s preseason football to charm and distract. More »

Tags: teacher associations, teachers united

by Sarah Cargill August 12, 2011

Former Michigan Commissioner Tom Watkins published a provocative editorial with The Detroit News this week challenging Michigan to grasp hold of its educational system by increasing the literacy rate, improving learning statewide and preparing its citizens for “a world transformed by globalization and technology.” More »

Tags: digital education, edreform, education reform, Innovation, learning, Michigan

by Tom Vander Ark August 12, 2011

The summer edpolicy debate makes 5 things clear: states, matter, new tests=new frame, RFER leadership, train wreck ahead, and more new normal. As engaging as edreform is, we’re staying focused on innovations in learning and launching GettingSmart.com More »

Tags: Andy Rotherham, education reform, personal digital learning, Rick Hess, standardized testing

by Sarah Cargill August 11, 2011

Fordham Institute names Indiana America’s Education Reform Idol 2011 at its event this morning that compared contestants Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin to see which state made the most legislative gains this year. More »

Tags: Charter Schools, edreform, education reform, education reform idol 2011

by edReformer Staff August 11, 2011

Virtual school provider VSCHOOLZ announced today that it is partnering with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH), an educational products and services provider, to provide traditional course content online to schools or districts looking for blended learning programs. More »

Tags: Blended Learning, HMH, individualized learning, Online Learning, VSCHOOLZ

by Sarah Cargill August 11, 2011

David Nagel with THE Journal recently interviewed iNACOL, the International Association for K-12 Online Learning, President and CEO Susan Patrick about her vision to shift from a system based on seat time to proficiency- and competency-based learning models in her recent report, “Cracking the Code: Synchronizing Policy and Practice for Performance-based Learning.” More »

Tags: Competency-based learning, education policy, iNACOL, proficiency-based learning

by Tom Vander Ark August 10, 2011

Every school needs an execution agenda to improve the quality of instruction around an adopted curriculum. Every school needs an innovation agenda. Finding the right balance is the art of leadership and the product of dialog. More »

Tags: education reform, Innovation, school leadership

by Sarah Cargill August 10, 2011

The National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) released today “Authorizing Online Learning,” a Viewpoint article by iNACOL President and CEO Susan Patrick and Chair Tom Vander Ark that targets key questions around authorization, enrollment and funding of online learning. More »

Tags: Blended Learning, Charter Schools, education funding, iNACOL, Online Learning

by Bryan Setser August 9, 2011

This week’s blog looks at managing mobile learners who will be equipped with smart devices and expectations of support that are going to go well beyond anything Goodlad could have imagined. More »

Tags: Blended Learning, mobile workforce, Online Learning

by Tom Vander Ark August 8, 2011

Digital Learning Now released a video on Element 2, student access. It recommends that all students have access to quality content and courses. More »

Tags: Blended Learning, digital learning now, Online Learning

by Tom Vander Ark August 8, 2011

Achieve releases OER tools, Pearson supports Mooresville NC 1:1 Project, Dreambox boosts Rocketship Math, ShowMe iPad app makes tutorials easy, Apollo acquire Carnegie Learning, and Ed-Fi.org universal data standards. More »

Tags: assessment, Common Core Standards, Dreambox, ipad apps for learning, Pearson

by Tom Vander Ark August 7, 2011

Charles Blow makes visible differences in this American life. This week he highlights the millions of children living in poverty. More »

Tags: Charles Blow, Children in poverty, Martin Luther King Jr

by Tom Vander Ark August 6, 2011

My home town hides its poverty all too well. But a group of committed leader take ownership, and act like trustees. More »

Tags: leadership

by Chris Korsmo August 6, 2011

Pell survived; college still pays; common grad rates finally here; and big SIG differences More »

Tags: graduation rates, League of Education Voters, Pell Grant, School Improvement Grants

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