Expert Perspectives


Teachers Learn Just Like Students: A Case Study From Singapore

Professional development is out; professional learning is in. In this week’s blog post we visit Singapore schools again. We describe how researchers and experienced teachers, there, scaffold fellow science teachers who are learning inquiry pedagogy through inquiry. In turn, those science teachers will use the same sorts of scaffolds to support their students who are learning science through inquiry.

Student Data Brokers: Shady Practices Put Private Student Data on the Open Market

The market for student data may be fed by unwitting students, who turn over sensitive information that they believe they must provide in order to learn about educational opportunities and scholarships.

Understanding Digital Transformation: Part 1 - Background

"Businesses will spend $1.1 trillion in 2018 on digital transformation…" Trillion. All in 2018. Phew! In this week’s blog post, then, we explore the notion of digital transformation outside of K-12 — what is "digital transformation?" What is its goal? Who is doing it? Armed with that understanding, then, in a subsequent blog post we will explore the "digital transformation" of K-12.

IT Leadership: Key Facts to Advance Ed Tech in America

CoSN CEO Keith Krueger shares insights from the 2018 National K-12 IT Leadership Survey Report.

As Demand for Online Schools Grows, So Does Need for Accurate Evaluation

In light of the scathing NEPC report on virtual schools, Kevin P. Chavous of K12 Inc. — whose partner schools account for more than a third of all online schools in the United States — argues for the need for meaningful measures of effectiveness ... and sets the record straight on student diversity.

STEM: At the Crossroads of Traditional and Online Learning

In this guest viewpoint, FIRST President Donald E. Bossi argues that online and blended learning offer tremendous potential for enhancing STEM education and hands-on learning opportunities for all students.

How We Use Technology to Empower Both Our Students and Reading Teachers

With student learning driving instruction like it never has in the past, our district is harnessing the power of technology in a way that supports teachers at every level while making students more active participants in their own learning.

Computational Thinking: A Powerful Idea Whose Time Has Come!

In this week’s blog post, we explore the value of computational thinking, first as it helps to explain a 30-year old, "cold case," empirical finding, and second as it may well be a "disruptive education intervention!"

Making Space for Makerspaces

Pop-up makerspaces have allowed project-based learning to grow and blossom. Using higher-order thinking skills, students are given the opportunity to problem-solve, ask questions, think, create, innovate, fix and revise. A new set of learning theories have popped up as well. Innovation and design theory have become a way of learning, with entrepreneurship at the helm.

BLC18: Come to the Best Little Conference on Educational Technology!

Alan November has run the Building Learning Communities (BLC) Conference since 2000, each year drawing almost 1,000 educators from all over the world to "be challenged and be affirmed." In this week’s blog post we describe the "Pixie Dust," the formula, that Alan and his team use to create a unique venue for educators to come together and immerse themselves in "education and technology."

Whitepapers