Looking Under the Hood of Competency-Based Education
This study by the American Institutes for Research rigorously examined the relationship between competency-based education (CBE) practices and changes in these learning capacities (such as the skills, behaviors, and dispositions that enhance student capacity to learn in school). CBE, an instructional approach that emphasizes what students learn and master rather than how much time they… Read More ›
The Impact of Enhancing Students’ Social and Emotional Learning: A Meta-Analysis of School-Based Universal Interventions
This research report, published in 2011, is a frequently cited document in the field of social-emotional learning (SEL). The study looked at 213 school-based SEL programs designed for students in kindergarten through high school. Compared to controls, students who participated in these SEL programs demonstrated improved social and emotional skills, attitudes, behavior, and academic performance.… Read More ›
Social-Emotional Learning Assessment Measures for Middle School Youth
This 2011 research review was designed to assist middle school educators with choosing appropriate measures of social and emotional skills over time. Children with strong social and emotional (SEL) skills have been shown to excel in school, and quality SEL programs are imperative to address the social, emotional, and academic needs of students. The purpose… Read More ›
Measures that Matter Most
This report marks the first time the Next Generation Learning Challenges (NGLC) has asked their networks of innovators to lend their voices to a critical set of questions: how should NGLC go about measuring the success of an educational innovation? And what measures matter most? Next Generation Learning Challenges represents some of the nation’s most innovative… Read More ›
Games For Change Festival
The 2016 Games for Change Festival, organized in collaboration with Parsons School of Design at The New School, offers two days of keynotes, panels, workshops, networking events, and arcades. Explore the latest impact games in three tracks of programming: Civics & Social Impact, Neurogaming & Health, and Games for Learning. For more information, visit the event page.
Common Instructional Framework
The Common Instructional Framework, developed by Jobs for the Future, identifies six strategies for powerful teaching and learning. Forming the basis of a coherent college-preparatory curriculum, these instructional strategies succeed because they engage all students in learning and require them to take an active role in their education. The six strategies to build college readiness… Read More ›
How Misconceptions About Competency Education Could Undermine Equity
This article, the third in a CompetencyWorks series on equity in personalized learning, explores implications of the misunderstanding and misuse of terms within competency-based and blended learning. The author asserts these misunderstanding can lead to poor implementation, inequitable practices, and lower achievement. He reviews four common misconceptions, such as failing to understand the difference between “flexible pacing” and… Read More ›
Students Take Charge
This article takes a look at two models of assessment in student-centered classrooms to find out what’s working. There are now hundreds of schools, dozens of districts, and at least 15 states actively striving for a student-centered learning system, but if kids are in charge, how do you know they’re learning? Since assessments can factor in… Read More ›
Defining and Visioning Blended Learning: The Learning Accelerator Goes Deeper
This article published by The Learning Accelerator (TLA), a national nonprofit organization that is, in their words, “seeking to transform K-12 education by accelerating the implementation of high-quality blended learning in school districts across the US through cultivating and funding the supporting ecosystem,” is an expansive, experience-informed vision for blended learning. Source Organization: Blended Learning Facts … Read More ›
Digital Media & Learning Conference 2016
The 7th annual Digital Media and Learning (DML) Conference takes place in Irvine, CA from October 5th through 7th. This international gathering brings together a vibrant and diverse community of innovators, thinkers, and progressive educators to delve into leading-edge topics in digital media and learning. DML builds connections across research, design, and practice in the service… Read More ›
ISTE 2016
The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) is hosting its annual conference from June 26th through 29th in Denver, Colorado. ISTE’s mission is to empower learners to flourish in a connected world by cultivating a passionate professional learning community, linking educators and partners, leveraging knowledge and expertise, advocating for strategic policies, and continually improving learning and… Read More ›
Redesigning School Accountability and Support: Progress in Pioneering States
In a report presented by the Learning Policy Institute and the Stanford Center for Opportunity Policy in Education (SCOPE), “Redesigning School Accountability and Support: Progress in Pioneering States” examines the variety of ways these 10 states – including New Hampshire and Vermont – have tackled the challenge of redesigning their accountability systems to create educational… Read More ›