Standardized Assessment: Perspectives and Solutions

Despite educators’ growing concerns, standardized testing is not going anywhere — at least not any time soon. Valerie Strauss, a writer for The Washington Post, outlined a few of these reasons in her recent article, citing money as a main reason. The standardized testing movement is a lucrative business, and the people who determine the direction of education reform are the people who are funding education reform.

Our culture’s focus on standardized testing has led to our classroom’s focus on “teaching to the test,” an understanding that teachers’ lessons and curricula should be targeted toward state standards and test preparation. The implementation of the Common Core Standards is another reason for this focus on standardization. Adopted nationwide (with some exceptions), the Common Core’s main goal is to mea…

SXSWedu Teacher of the Day: Elizabeth Alarcon

From our time spent at SXSWedu, Teach.com will be featuring one teacher per day who is bringing technology, creativity and innovation into their classroom. Be sure to read more about our other Featured Teachers and learn how you can bring their practices in your classroom.

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SXSWedu 2015: Key Themes and Takeaways

Teach.com attended this year’s SXSWedu conference (March 9-12, 2015) in Austin, Texas. Our goal? To shine a light on the conference’s teacher voice, an aspect of SXSWedu that past years have noted has been missing. While a lot of factors come into play as to why there are less teachers at the year’s “biggest education conference” — funding, time off from school, spring break schedules — what’s important to know is that the teacher voice at SXSWedu is alive and well.

From hip hop in the classroom, to professional development, to digital leadership, the sessions at this year’s SXSWedu highlighted the diversity of the education community. As noted in the con…

SXSWedu Teacher of the Day: Shawn Young, Classcraft

This week at SXSWedu, Teach.com will be featuring one teacher per day who is bringing creativity and innovation into their classroom. Be sure to read more about our other Featured Teachers and learn how you can bring their practices in your classroom.


SHAWN YOUNG
Founder & CEO, Classcraft, Quebec, Canada

Presentation:

SXSWedu Teacher of the Day: Adam Holman

This week at SXSWedu, Teach.com will be featuring one teacher per day who is bringing creativity and innovation into their classroom. Be sure to read more about our other Featured Teachers and learn how you can bring their practices in your classroom.

 

Who’s Who at SXSWedu 2015

The power of good professional development (PD) is no secret. But what is “good” PD? Research and surveys have shown that teachers respond best to interactive, robust, and personalized forms of PD where they are able to take control and ownership of their own learning. Often referred to as DIY PD, examples include engaging in social media communities, or attending community-build conferences and seminars. What’s even better is when you combine the two, resulting in SXSWedu.

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