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As the 9th largest school district in the state of Ohio, the Hilliard City School District serves more than 15,500 students in grades K-12, through three high schools, three middle schools, two sixth-grade schools and 14 elementary schools.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

January 16, 2012

Five Big Trends for Education in 2012-2013

My pick this week is an interesting read making some predictions about educational trends in the year to come.  These predictions are featured in an educational blog,  and come from Marian Salzman <http://mariansalzman.com/> , CEO of global integrated marketing communications agency Euro RSCG Worldwide.

Some predictions are no surprise, but others are intriguing:  “…if you believe that, in the age of globalization, the concept of an Ivy League of educational superiority will remain a uniquely American offering, think again.”

Indeed, this piece is just another reminder that things are changing . . . . 

 
12 Most Useful Ways Kids Can Learn With Cell Phones
My selection this week centers around the idea of integrating Cell Phones in to the classroom instruction.  As we all know, more and more of our students are coming to schools with cell phones, and they want to be constantly “connected.”  As our teachers are looking for new ways to hook our students in, the use of Cell Phones proves to be an extremely popular route to take.  
As the article states, “In order for adults to connect with our kids and students, we need to mobilize.”

Eight Steps to Meaningful Grading
In Hilliard Schools, we are engaging our teachers in discussion around grading and homework practices during Late Start time.  Administrators and teachers alike are wrestling with our beliefs   about the role of practicing skills for a score.  Should students be graded on their practice?  I am personally glad that my first driver's license was not based on the number of times I needed to develop proficiency in parallel parking.
The article "Eight Steps to Meaningful Grading" gives teachers' tips for transitioning to standards-based grading.  

4 Lessons The Classroom Can Learn from the Design Studio
"Designers collaborate across disciplines, give and take criticism, and embrace failure in the process of solving problems.  Wouldn't children benefit from the same skills in school?"  Lifelong learning for both students and teachers must contain the elements of rigor, critical collaboration and public exhibition.  We should think of teaching as a design studio for curious minds, and as such, teachers will need to respond creatively as they plan learning experiences that will challenge today's student. 
Lesson design came to my mind as I was reading this article.  Intentional design which embraces "best practices" and 21st century practices has to be carefully planned.  It takes time, as well as review and revision.  The data team is an excellent forum for this process to take place.

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