Collaboration Tools Aim to Improve Teacher Performance

Educators wanting to learn from the best can do so with Lesson Lab's database of the world's best teaching practices. The case studies are culled from hours of videotaped classroom instruction that first started out as a U.S. Department of Education-funded research project called "The Third International Mathematics and Science Study," also known as TIMSS-R Video.

Based on the findings of the TIMSS project, Dr. James Stigler, UCLA professor and director of the project, started LessonLab Inc. with the goal of facilitating teacher collaboration in schools across the United States. To do this, LessonLab videotapes actual classes, digitizes the tape along with supplementary teaching aids, such as overhead projections and Web links, and presents this information online along with transcripts of teacher-student dialogue.

Ultimately, LessonLab seeks to provide educators with a digital library that archives various teaching methods from around the world. This research not only captures the best work from the best teachers and saves it for posterity, it also provides less experienced teachers with mentoring tools from actual classroom experience. LessonLab Inc., Santa Monica, CA, (310) 581-2300, www.lessonlab.com.

Featured

  • laptop screen displaying a typed essay, on a child

    McGraw Hill Acquires Essaypop Digital Learning Tool

    Education company McGraw Hill has announced the acquisition of Essaypop, a cloud-based writing tool that will enhance the former's portfolio of personalized learning capabilities.

  • glowing digital brain made of blue circuitry hovers above multiple stylized clouds of interconnected network nodes against a dark, futuristic background

    Report: 85% of Organizations Are Leveraging AI

    Eighty-five percent of organizations today are utilizing some form of AI, according to the latest State of AI in the Cloud 2025 report from Wiz. While AI's role in innovation and disruption continues to expand, security vulnerabilities and governance challenges remain pressing concerns.

  • The AI Show

    Register for Free to Attend the World's Greatest Show for All Things AI in EDU

    The AI Show @ ASU+GSV, held April 5–7, 2025, at the San Diego Convention Center, is a free event designed to help educators, students, and parents navigate AI's role in education. Featuring hands-on workshops, AI-powered networking, live demos from 125+ EdTech exhibitors, and keynote speakers like Colin Kaepernick and Stevie Van Zandt, the event offers practical insights into AI-driven teaching, learning, and career opportunities. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to integrate AI into classrooms while exploring innovations that promote equity, accessibility, and student success.

  • A child surrounded by glowing, fluid virtual patterns and holographic shapes, illuminated in a dark gradient environment of blue, purple, and pink.

    ClassVR Gets Expanded VR/AR Content Library

    Avantis Education has announced a new content library for its ClassVR virtual and augmented reality platform. Dubbed Eduverse+, the library features four content suites — EduverseAI, WildWorld, STEAM3D, and CareerHub — that can be tailored to suit a variety of educational levels.