Richard Elmore, in this video clip and with the associated graphic, defines the best measure of how we should judge innovation and change in an organization. The data that we collect must come from the core if we are to determine with any degree of certainty that these changes have been implemented and whether or […]
Under a grant from HP, the New Media Consortium and the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) has released the latest New Horizon Report for K-12 education. Not surprisingly, the two critical trends to take center stage are Cloud Computing and Collaborative Environments. The critical issues surrounding the trends that this collaboration brings to the forefront […]
These two look nice next to each other, don’t you think?
Alan November has put up a new video that captures effectively the nuances of moving beyond current educational paradigms. The recent release of the “new” NCLB, the responses from AASA, and the Common Core Standards development are all symptoms of a system plagued by mediocrity and standardization – the antithesis of creativity and innovation. We […]
Nice video from Kevin Honeycutt on the possibilities…
An interesting article on how fear often overtakes our logical sensibilities. That being said, there is good reason for caution here – but not for the reasons cited by the opponents. Chinese government’s funding of Southland school’s language program fuels controversy – LATimes.com Worth a read and consideration of the scope of these programs… BTW […]
As we discuss leadership and technology, we have to remember that teaching is a complex endeavor that requires minds that move beyond discrete evidence like checklists and test scores. As seen in the clip below, there is something far more subtle going on in classrooms that defies calculation and quantification. On other posts we have […]
Below is a video that has had lots of play in the last 4 years since its original posting. It recently resurfaced on YouTube and in a few social network sites. It’s a powerful story of an autistic youth and overcoming adversity. It also reinforces the notion of the critical aspect of teacher/student relationship at […]
With some degree of glee, I can report to you today that a Judge has finally confirmed what we knew 25 years ago – Washington State does not fully fund basic education: The state of Washington is not fulfilling its constitutional duty to fully pay for basic public education, a King County judge ruled Thursday.The […]
Jeff Utecht is being a bit pessimistic with his description of the recently launched third iteration of the Learning 2.0 conference series. Despite his apprehension, there is every reason to believe that this conference will again inspire and direct individuals along the path of creating the next generation of learning practices. Inspired by a collaboration […]
It seems fortuitous that I wrote last night on Mike Rowe and then found Daniel Pink shortly after to reflect on the nature of motivation. These are two very nice videos back-to-back and tell us much about the new age of work and accomplishment. Similar to the theories (dare I say facts) presented by Pink, […]
This week I had an opportunity to read scholarship submissions at Wilson High School for the vocational education program. On the table was two years full tuition and books for a vocational path of your choice (primarily encouraging state colleges and vocational schools). Of interest was the fact that I had the honor of sitting […]
A thought on why broad education reform is lingering despite selective successes… In looking at organizational behavior, there is one theory of motivation that may apply to the current scenario in regards to the willingness of teachers to embrace necessary change. Equity Theory provides a basis for thinking about motivation that goes something like this: […]
While I don’t want to be a Scrooge during the holidays, I have to say that sharing this with my family (thanks to my wife) was helpful and kept us from getting too carried away in the materialistic aspect of the season. Much more important to focus on the things that really matter: family, health, […]
This has been a busy week in University Place. Two events have shaken this community in recent days and both times I found myself on television as a bystander while events unfolded. The first was a city council meeting where parents and students showed up in large numbers after being convinced that the youth sports […]
Two Million Minutes A debate continued to brew regarding the general focus of education and how to reconcile the differences between schools in three distinct cultures and two significantly different dichotomies. It’s western vs. eastern philosophy about eduction and the case is being used to both deride American education and highlight the realities behind the […]
I stand corrected. It looks like Smart Tech (www.smarttech.com) has got one in the works. Would love to know how implementation is going. Anyone? Click here – The SMART Table
So, it’s been out for a year or so and the educational implications are just starting to take shape. Here’s one in a UK Primary School http://www.microsoft.com/surface/Pages/Experience/Videos.aspx?video=193f800f-5268-491f-9bc7-d2857080ef21 Here’s the link on educational development of this device: http://www.rm.com/generic.asp?cref=GP1365987&SrcURL=/surface/ Microsoft Surface details: http://www.microsoft.com/surface Tech-savvy educational leaders will be watching this development with interest because it constitutes the […]
I’ve been impressed with my re-introduction to educational reform in Washington through my Superintendent Leadership Seminar (first in a year long series). The concept here is personalizing student learning and this is far beyond earlier concepts of differentiation or individualization. Personalizing has more to do with the involvement of the student in understanding the process […]
A revamped draft of proposed common academic standards for states offers more detailed expectations than an earlier version, though the document also says that some decisions about specific curricula and lessons should be left to individual states and schools. via Education Week: Revised Draft of ‘Common Core’ Standards Unveiled. Direct link to standards: http://www.corestandards.org/ Everyone […]