Reinventing K-12 Learning
This blog was written by Patrick Larkin, the assistant superintendent for learning for the Burlington Public Schools in Massachusetts. He served 15 years as a high school administrator and was a 2012 winner of the Digital Principal Award from the National Association of Secondary School Principals. This blog is no longer being updated.
Assessment
Opinion
Pencil and Paper Win This Round of PARCC Testing
After watching students in my district participate in online state testing, I'm not surprised to read that students taking paper and pencil tests did better.
School & District Management
Opinion
Dealing With Educon Withdrawal
While it is no comparison to being at the conference in person, I followed the #Educon hashtag on Twitter over the weekend and I've shared my five biggest takeaways in Storify.
Classroom Technology
Opinion
What Are You Doing About Infomania and FOMO?
Do you get anxious if you are away from Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, email, or some game-based app for a short period of time? If so, you may be suffering from Infomania which is defined by the Oxford dictionary as "the compulsive desire to check or accumulate news and information, typically via mobile phone or computer."
School & District Management
Opinion
Don't Underestimate the Power of OER
The Open Education Resources movement provides an opportunity to put the power back in the hands of teachers and students. We need schools who support staff members in becoming creators who not only collaborate with colleagues across classrooms but also across local, state, and national boundaries.
Curriculum
Opinion
OER Needs to Be on Your Radar
With a group of model schools committed to the Office of Ed Tech's #GoOpen Initiative, there is no doubt that more schools and districts will begin using Open Education Resources.
Curriculum
Opinion
Three Must-Reads for Educators in 2016
As we start a new year, I wanted to a highlight my three favorite books from 2015. They are great books for educators and can be used to foster conversations in school communities about what is most important in regards to the success of our students.
Classroom Technology
Opinion
Social Media Shouldn't Be an Impediment for Superintendents
School district leaders have the ability to control their education narrative by using social media tools. By avoiding social media, the narrative will be controlled by others, some who may be critics with a different agenda.
Classroom Technology
Opinion
Top Five Reasons to Jump Into a Twitter Chat
For me, there is still nothing better than participating in an hour Twitter chat. Dedicating some time to show staff where they can connect with colleagues from around the globe who have similar interests is well worth the time.
Education
Opinion
An Example of Integrating Technology the Right Way
A short time ago, I was fortunate attend a local one-to-one summit at Nipmuc Regional High School in Upton, Mass. The school principal and his team shared some very concrete steps to success that are useful for any school looking to add more technological resources to support teaching and learning.
School & District Management
Opinion
10 Tips For Innovation From Guy Kawasaki
I am attending the EdTeachTeacher iPad Summit Boston for the next two days and the opening keynote this morning was from Guy Kawasaki who offered his Top 10 List for Innovation. As I listened to the list, I was reflecting on how these 10 items connect to what we do in education. Hopefully many of these will resonate with you as well.
Classroom Technology
Opinion
Sexting In Schools - Your School Could Be Next...
Cañon City Superintendent of Schools George Welsh spoke openly about this issue to help inform communities across the country regarding the issue of texting. It is not a question of whether it is happening in school communities, it is a question of how much it is happening in school communities.
Education
Opinion
Discussing Blended Learning and Remote Learning
We talk a lot about blended learning opportunities in my district, asking ourselves whether we are offering the most beneficial learning opportunities for both staff and students. We're looking to provide quality online learning resources to students when they are outside of our classrooms, as well as to develop our own digital resources.
School & District Management
Opinion
An Interview With George Couros About "The Innovator's Mindset"
One of the hottest new education books is "The Innovator's Mindset" by my friend George Couros, a highly-sought-after teaching, learning, and leadership consultant. I spoke with George recently about his book.
College & Workforce Readiness
Opinion
#EdShare: Raising the Bar for National Sharing
This month, I challenge you to find an inspiring school or district at least 1,000 miles away. Read about their work. Connect with their leaders on LinkedIn and Twitter. Or better yet, in a Google hangout. And let's help those leaders find us... by sharing our best insights in places like Twitter chats and online communities with peers from across the country.