Helping students make new friends during COVID is possible. Two programs show how. Julia Freeland Fisher Helping students make new friends during COVID is possible. Two programs show how. Some organizations show how relationship-centered designs can create new online programs—and student friendships—to outlast COVID-19. Oct 7, 2020 Julia Freeland Fisher
As KIPP changes its slogan, focus on the importance of connections Michael B. Horn As KIPP changes its slogan, focus on the importance of connections Why helping students succeed in life means schools like KIPP must not just focus on closing the academic gap, but also the opportunity gap. Sept 17, 2020 Michael B. Horn
Facebook Campus: Repeating history misses the mark on students’ futures Julia Freeland Fisher Facebook Campus: Repeating history misses the mark on students’ futures Campus could be a fresh start for Zuckerberg to experiment with new algorithms aimed at furnishing college students with a range of supportive, inspiring, career-expanding connections. Will it? Probably not. Sept 16, 2020 Julia Freeland Fisher
Adaptive mentoring can support students through the pandemic—even online Julia Freeland Fisher Adaptive mentoring can support students through the pandemic—even online One online advising model is flexing to support students during a year of turbulence and unknowns. Sept 8, 2020 Julia Freeland Fisher
Why schools can’t have a complete back-to-school road map without a relationship map Mahnaz Charania Why schools can’t have a complete back-to-school road map without a relationship map Schools that map the relationships at students’ disposal will be well-positioned to sustain their well-being and academic progress this year. Sept 1, 2020 Mahnaz Charania
Parents want social interaction for their kids, but schools don’t do that well even in normal times Michael B. Horn Parents want social interaction for their kids, but schools don’t do that well even in normal times Even before COVID-19, traditional classrooms weren't optimized for students' social experiences. Parents should adjust their expectations. Aug 27, 2020 Michael B. Horn
Reflections on research: The importance of students’ relationships in closing opportunity gaps Christensen Institute Reflections on research: The importance of students’ relationships in closing opportunity gaps Julia Freeland Fisher joins MENTOR’s Reflection on Research podcast to talk about her book, Who You Know: Unlocking Innovations That Expand Students’ Networks and discuss […] Aug 12, 2020 Christensen Institute
The promise of campus connections: A liability or an impetus for innovation? Julia Freeland Fisher The promise of campus connections: A liability or an impetus for innovation? Is college really college without relationships? And do colleges actually provide myriad social connections reliably enough to justify the high price of tuition? Aug 12, 2020 Julia Freeland Fisher
Who you know matters. Let’s start measuring it. Mahnaz Charania Who you know matters. Let’s start measuring it. Measuring relationships as assets in the student success equation is crucial to ensuring that students don’t just graduate with skills, but with a network. July 22, 2020 Mahnaz Charania
The missing metrics: Emerging practices for measuring students’ relationships and networks Mahnaz Charania The missing metrics: Emerging practices for measuring students’ relationships and networks By measuring students’ social capital, education systems can start to close opportunity gaps and ensure all students are supported equitably. July 16, 2020 Mahnaz Charania
Don’t cancel summer, reinvent it Julia Freeland Fisher Don’t cancel summer, reinvent it How programs are reimagining summer as a critical chance to put equitable access and family agency front and center during social distancing. July 15, 2020 Julia Freeland Fisher
Don’t stop with broadband—build an infrastructure for supporting students Julia Freeland Fisher Don’t stop with broadband—build an infrastructure for supporting students Wi-Fi is but one of many out-of-school factors that shape academic success. May 28, 2020 Julia Freeland Fisher
