Effective (Teacher-Centered) Coaching
This blog, written by a math teacher and coach, and a member of the Better Math Teaching Network, discusses the importance of coaching for teachers in order to drive student success in math. The blog–a reflective essay of sorts– creates a compelling argument and call to action to transform math classrooms. The author discusses learner-centered models… Read More ›
Why ‘Unlearning’ Old Habits Is An Essential Step For Innovation
This article explores Beaver Country Day School, a private 6-12 school in Massachusetts’, experience with the idea of “unlearning”– creating new ways to think in the face of established practices. Using both large and small scale examples, like grading models and teacher’s instruction, the article explores what it really takes to change habits in a school.… Read More ›
Informing Progress Insights on Personalized Learning Implementation and Effects
This report and accompanying research brief, written by the RAND Corporation and funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, synthesizes findings from a study of the personalized learning (PL) practices at schools in the Next Generation Learning Challenges (NGLC)’s Breakthrough School Models program. Researchers identified the PL strategies used and implementation challenges faced by these schools… Read More ›
Student-Centered Learning: Functional Requirements for Integrated Systems to Optimize Learning
This paper illustrates the technical requirements and functionalities that learning management systems need to shift toward student-centered instructional models. This comprehensive framework will help districts and schools determine what systems to use, and integrate, as they begin their journey toward student-centered learning. It also addresses how systems integration aligns with their organizational vision, educational goals,… Read More ›
Relationships First: Creating Connections that Help Young People Thrive
This report looks at the importance of building strong relationships to create a thriving student-centered culture. It includes an overview of the Search Institute’s Developmental Relationships Framework which defines the elements of an effective relationship, as well as the actions and dispositions adults should display, written from the student perspective. It examines results from a 2016… Read More ›
Essential Personalized Learning Institute: Pathways to Excellence & Equity
The Essential Personalized Learning Institute is a 3-day workshop facilitated by the Center for Collaborative Education (CCE). CCE staff will work with teachers and administrators to create an action plan to bring personalized learning practices to their school or district. Participants will explore CCE’s Five Principles for successful personalized learning, collaborate with like-minded educators from… Read More ›
Digital Portfolios in the Classroom
In this webinar based on his new book, Digital Portfolios in the Classroom: Showcasing and Assessing Student Work, author Matt Renwick shows how digital portfolios—dynamic collections of authentic information from different media—can capture student thinking and progress and help clarify assessment data. Participants will gain knowledge about the different types of portfolios, approaches, tools and… Read More ›
16 Tips to Put Your 1:1 Technology to Work
Read part one and two of this series. Portsmouth Middle School in Rhode Island is about to embark on year two of the implementation of a 1:1 technology program. Below, I share some of our teachers’ favorite strategies and applications from the past year to engage students in collaborative learning experiences. Explore these 16 suggestions (and bonus resources) and take… Read More ›
A Practical Guide to Personalization in a Standards-Based World
Often standards in education are seen as a roadblock to personalization. This article offers practical strategies for using essential questions to address standards and create personalization, with examples from varying grade levels and subjects. The author feels essential questions can provide more meaningful and personalized ways to connect students to the content. The article includes specific… Read More ›
View from the Trenches of Implementing A Successful 1:1 Program
Read part one of this series. Technology integration coaches’ responsibilities depend on a district’s vision, access to technology and teacher comfort levels with digital tools. As the technology integration coach at Portsmouth Middle School in Rhode Island, I provide general technology support and professional development trainings for the entire school, although most of my time is spent working… Read More ›
1:1 Implementation: Practical Tips & Insights from a Tech Integration Coach
People are usually surprised when they hear that I am the technology integration coach at Portsmouth Middle School in Portsmouth, Rhode Island because in most school systems, this position doesn’t exist. Although I am hardly an impartial observer, I think that many people who work with coaches like me would agree that we’re integral (pun… Read More ›
Personalized Learning, the Navajo Way
This article, from the perspective of a principal, superintendent and mentor of indigenous schools for over forty years, looks at personalized learning and student choice with the lens of cultural responsiveness. The author describes personalization at STAR (Service To All Relations) School, a K-8 School in Navajo Nation, which is grounded in Navajo values with a keen… Read More ›