31.Dec.2009 Stuck on OER (and somehow quotable)
One of the things on my bucket list is to be referred to (some day) as an expert. You know, like those quacks on FoxNews in the split screen with the green screened cityscapes behind them. For some reason that seems glamorous to me. Getting quoted by a reputable blogger/educator only helps me take the [...]
19.Nov.2009 Outsourcing in Schools (how to focus on improving instruction)
Education Sector released a new report on school design last week titled Teachers at Work: Improving Teacher Quality Through School Design (free pdf download). The report focuses on a new type of school design getting some traction in NYC, the Generation Schools. These schools are focusing specifically on improving instruction by giving teachers more time [...]
28.Sep.2009 Student Load vs. Teacher Quality
The debate continues. As a master’s student at UVM my thesis focused on Vermont’s historical trends in educations which contributed to and set the stage for our high ranking public school system (at the time, according to certain resources). I placed particular emphasis on the fact that Vermont’s long standing traditions and demographic arrangements had contributed [...]
25.Aug.2009 Rhee's new plan: "D.C. Public Schools Teaching and Learning Framework"
I’m a big fan of the reforms happening in DC. I like it for a lot of reasons (it’s cutting edge, it’s gutsy, it’s far reaching implications, etc.) but mostly because Michelle Rhee has vision (and the cajones) to bring her ideas to fruition. The Wapo recently wrote an article about how Rhee expects to [...]
10.Mar.2009 Robot Teachers
How can we argue to increase pay when this is happening? Named Saya, she can speak different languages, carry out roll calls, set tasks and make facial expressions – including anger – thanks to 18 motors hidden behind her latex face. (The Telegraph via Gizmodo)
