Despite all the promises that new technologies will unlock a new era of teaching and learning, these tools are often used to replicate older practices in education. Here EML regular contributer Lee Skallerup Bessette asks if apps are becoming the new worksheet, with the same sorts of frustrating and repetitive exercises now on a computer […]
Are Apps Becoming the New Worksheet? Read More »
A high school math teacher and instructional technology specialist at Zeeland Public Schools, Anthony DiLaura has brought together teachers in his district to build their own digital textbooks, using open educational resources and other openly licensed media. Here DiLaura writes about the move from static print to interactive content, and what it means for schools
How Schools Can Hack their Textbooks Read More »
Educator (and EML regular contributor) Lee Skallerup Bessette writes about what it means to “foster independent learning” in an educational climate with restrictive curriculum, high-stakes assessments, and mandated standards. Here she offers concrete steps for engaging students in the decision-making that happens in the classroom, giving them more agency and a larger stake in their
Fostering Independent Learners Read More »
“College readiness.” One one hand, the meaning of the term is clear: it’s “the combination of skills, knowledge, and habits of mind necessary to fully participate in college-level courses (courses at the 100 level and above) to completion.” But as the phrase has become so deeply intertwined with political rhetoric and education policy, its meaning
“College Readiness” versus “Ready for College” Read More »
Following a recent killing spree in Isla Vista, California, the Twitter hashtag #YesAllWomen opened up a frank and public discussion about women’s experiences with sexual assault and harassment. But what about girls? Lee Skallerup Bessette talks about the harassment, often hidden, that happens in schools, and how we can help develop a better culture —
#YesAllWomen: What It Means for K-12 Read More »
What do we mean by “self-directed learning”? Who gets to undertake it? All kids? How do we make sure that when we promote “self-directed learning” that we’re opening up possibilities for all students and not foreclosing possibilities for some. In this article, Sylvia Martinez looks at the ways in which gender plays a role in
What will the future of higher education look like? And in the midst of uncertainty as to how to answer that question, how do we prepare students for college? (Or do we?) In this article, Bryan Alexander explores the changing landscape of higher education — new demands and needs for knowledge, skills, networks, credentials. How
How Do We Prepare Modern Learners for College? Read More »
What do we mean by “personalization” in education and in ed-tech? The term has become a popular buzzword to talk about the potential for technologies to reshape how we teach and learn and to challenge a traditional model of “one size fits all” education. But what exactly does that challenge entail? EML editor Audrey Watters
The Problem with “Personalization” Read More »
Randolph-Macon College psychology professor Cedar Riener wrote one of the first (and most popular) articles here on Educating Modern Learners: “Should We Build a Brain-Based School?” He returns here to continue the discussion and to talk about the ways in which what we know about cognitive science might in turn shape our classroom pedagogies. (Or
The Science of the Mind in the Classroom of the Future Read More »
Much of the discussion about massive open online courses or MOOCs has focused on higher education and lifelong learning. But what lessons can K-12 learn from them? Calgary-based online educator Verena Roberts explores some of her experiences as a learner in MOOCs and talks about the ways in which she used these to design MOOCs
What Can K-12 Learn from MOOCs? Read More »
In this article, EML editor Audrey Watters offers a brief introduction to MOOCs, massive open online courses, one of the most hyped ed-tech developments in recent years. What are MOOCs? Where did they come from? How do they work pedagogically? And how do they work technically? Although they’ve been positioned as tool to address the
MOOCs: An Introduction Read More »
Late last year, the education giant Pearson announced that it would begin to focus on “efficacy,” measuring and enhancing the learning outcomes associated with its products and services. EML editor Audrey Watters looks at Pearson’s new framework and asks if “efficacy” is a good way for us to rethink teaching and learning in a digital
Rethinking Assessment: Pearson and “Efficacy” Read More »
Despite all the promises of the World Wide Web as a platform for online learning, there are still many questions about whether or not we are building learning tools and learning communities that welcome and support a diversity of ideas and people. How do stereotypes affect the ways in which technologies are developed and implemented?
Rethinking Assessment, Supporting Diversity Read More »
Singapore-based educator Jabiz Raisdana looks at DS106, a digital storytelling class first offered by the University of Mary Washington that’s become quite the Internet phenomenon, with participation from learners all over the world. Raisdana writes about the ways in which DS106, an open online course that encourages creativity and sharing on the open Web, challenges
Digital Storytelling and Online Learning Networks Read More »
What does it look like when a Silicon Valley engineer decides to reinvent primary school education? Former Google exec Max Ventilla has just raised $33 million to build AltSchool, which he says will be an updated version of Montessori, but a version that relies more heavily on technology R&D. The funding — and the philosophy — prompted
