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 This blog is no longer being updated.
School & District Management
Opinion
Back to School in El Paso: District and New Tech Expand Partnership
On the first day of school, we joined El Paso ISD Superintendent Juan Cabrera on a tour of school visits including several of the nine schools in the district that belong to the New Tech Network. Here's our recap.
Personalized Learning
Opinion
Personalize Learning and Build Agency By Using the 4 PLC Questions
In this episode of the podcast, Tom chats with Tim Stuart about his new book, Personalized Learning in a PLC at Work: Student Agency Through the Four Critical Questions.
Education
Opinion
How School Districts, Cities, and CBOs Use Microschools to Innovate
Tom Vander Ark & Hassan Hassan share a guide to microschools as a source of innovation for school districts, community-based organizations, companies, and civic organization.
Future of Work
Opinion
We're Doing It Wrong: A Teacher's View on How to Fix It
An inside look (and listen) at a recent conversation Tom had with David Michael Slater about his new book, We're Doing It Wrong: 25 Ideas in Education That Just Don't Work--And How to Fix Them. In the book, Slater exposes some bad assumptions and makes the case for how good ideas have gone bad. Listen in to learn more
Education
Opinion
32 Ways AI is Improving Education
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been quietly infiltrating society in every way. Tom shares how AI is being used to improve education.
Future of Work
Opinion
Last-Mile Training as an Alternative to Higher Ed with Ryan Craig
In this episode of the podcast, Tom chats with Ryan Craig about his new book, A New U: Faster + Cheaper Alternatives To College, and Craig's predictions about the future of learning.
Science
Opinion
Bringing Dreams to Life: Maker Movement Goes Global
What if we asked every child what their dream was--and then helped them bring it to life? In this episode, Tom talks with the MyMachine founders about their vision and the future of work.
College & Workforce Readiness
Opinion
Career Ready High Schools
After reviewing Ryan Craig's book we searched for examples of high school programs that put young people on the first rung of an attractive economic ladder.
School & District Management
Opinion
Better Together: Why Schools Should Work in Networks
A look at the power of school networks and Tom's new book, co-authored by Lydia Dobyns, Better Together: How to Leverage School Networks for Smarter Personalized and Project Based Learning.
Future of Work
Opinion
Coming This Fall to Montour School District: America's First Public School AI Program
Beginning in the fall of 2018, Montour School District will offer a new program in AI, providing students with a myriad of opportunities to explore and experience AI, using it to cultivate, nurture, and enhance initiatives aimed at increasing the public good. Learn more here.
Future of Work
Opinion
The Power of Us: A Network Powering Projects, Changing Lives
More than 1,400 educators from more than 150 schools across the U.S. and from Australia braved July humidity in St. Louis to further activate their network's commitment to powerful learning and the "power of us". Here's a look at network effect in action.
Teaching
Opinion
Talking Learner Experience at the Zoo
In this episode of the podcast, Tom Vander Ark talks learner experience with leaders from Washington state. He focuses on three small community connected, experiential schools in Tacoma, WA. One of which can be found in a zoo.
Science
Opinion
What's Up With All the Design-Focused Schools?
Is the focus on design in schools a fad, a trend or something else? In this episode of the podcast, Tom and Emily explore the rise in popularity of design-focused schools.
Teaching
Opinion
ACT, Leader in Measurement, Shifts to Focus to Student Success
The nonprofit developer of the ACT test has been expanding beyond traditional measurement to new and broader ways to promote education and workplace success.