What computer science education can tell us about the future of schools Julia Freeland Fisher What computer science education can tell us about the future of schools This week marks National Computer Science Education Week. Not only are K–12 schools, parents, and leaders around the country engaged in activities like the Hour […] Dec 10, 2014 Julia Freeland Fisher
Rhode Island goes blended Julia Freeland Fisher Rhode Island goes blended Two years ago we published a short case study on the digital learning efforts afoot in Rhode Island. In it we summarized the Rhode Island […] Dec 5, 2014 Julia Freeland Fisher
Are formative assessments disrupting summative tests? Julia Freeland Fisher Are formative assessments disrupting summative tests? Rabid debates about testing—what we test, how often, and the consequences thereof—are not new and are growing ever louder this year. As states continue to […] Nov 24, 2014 Julia Freeland Fisher
Conundrums in competency Julia Freeland Fisher Conundrums in competency Over the past several weeks I’ve attended a number of conferences where competency-based (or mastery-based) education was a hot topic. On the whole, there seems […] Nov 11, 2014 Julia Freeland Fisher
Where’s the person in personalized learning? Julia Freeland Fisher Where’s the person in personalized learning? Have you been hearing about ‘personalizing’ education a lot lately? You’re probably not alone. Not only has the term been on the rise for a […] Oct 28, 2014 Julia Freeland Fisher
Do states really need an education technology plan? Julia Freeland Fisher Do states really need an education technology plan? Last week the New America Foundation’s Chelsea Wilhelm wrote about a startling trend in state education technology planning: by and large, it’s not happening. As […] Oct 21, 2014 Julia Freeland Fisher
Data integration? More like data cooperation Julia Freeland Fisher Data integration? More like data cooperation Are new software platforms revving the engine of competency-based blended learning? This week, Next Generation Learning Challenges (NGLC) released a comprehensive summary of Spark, a […] Oct 15, 2014 Julia Freeland Fisher
Considering competency-based education? Reconsider how you assess Julia Freeland Fisher Considering competency-based education? Reconsider how you assess This blog originally appeared here on The World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) ed.review’s edudebate series on assessment titled “What Alternatives to Standardized Testing?” Testing […] Oct 7, 2014 Julia Freeland Fisher
The latest XPrize and how it may succeed or fail Julia Freeland Fisher The latest XPrize and how it may succeed or fail Exciting news hit the presses early last week—the XPrize is funding its first edtech competition. The goal: to handsomely reward the team that develops the […] Sept 30, 2014 Julia Freeland Fisher
Look to course access to expand students’ horizons Julia Freeland Fisher Look to course access to expand students’ horizons In a September 10, 2014 op-ed in the Chicago Sun-Times, I write about how course access policies offer new horizons to students. In particular, I […] Sept 17, 2014 Julia Freeland Fisher
Can superintendents beat the odds? Julia Freeland Fisher Can superintendents beat the odds? Last week the Brown Center on Education Policy at the Brookings Institute published a new study, “School Superintendents: Vital or Irrelevant?” As the title implies, […] Sept 10, 2014 Julia Freeland Fisher
Three insights on “self-directed learning”—and how to aim for equity Julia Freeland Fisher Three insights on “self-directed learning”—and how to aim for equity Last week, FSG Consulting’s Matt Wilka and Jeff Cohen released a case study, “Self-Directed Learning at Summit Public Schools,” as part of a Bill & […] Sept 3, 2014 Julia Freeland Fisher