We talk to teachers and educators every day, but attending conferences like iNACOL really amplifies their conversations and reveals some of the big trends happening in K12 education. Below are the top 4 topics we heard trending at iNACOL 2016.
Equity
The theme of this year’s iNACOL Symposium was “Innovation for Equity,” and the role that technology and blended learning can play in bringing more equal learning experiences to all students was evident throughout the Symposium.
Equality is when every student gets the same thing. #equity is when each student gets what they need. #CSforAll #inacol16
— Lee Ellen Harmer (@LeeEllenHarmer) October 27, 2016
“We need to have the courage to confront #equity issues head-on in new learning models.” –@sturgis_chris https://t.co/3SIiIHNb7z #inacol16
— iNACOL (@nacol) October 27, 2016
“We need to close the empathy and equity gaps in education!” Yes! #inacol16
— Sarah Morinville (@morinvilles) October 27, 2016
Competency Based Learning
Another topic we heard a lot about at iNACOL was competency based learning – focusing on helping learners build the skills they need to be successful and allowing them to progress when a skill is mastered, not when the unit is over.
A powerful statement to guide competency based learning: “You don’t move on, to the next unit, until you demonstrate mastery.” #inacol16 pic.twitter.com/lA2tW0BvJB
— FWISD Curriculum (@FWISDCurriculum) October 26, 2016
.@tvanderark: doing both “show what you know” (cohort model) & “progress on mastery” can lead to good competency-based education #inacol16
— Jessica Lura (@msjlura) October 26, 2016
What’s the investment in teacher professional learning that needs to happen to make competency-based education a possibility? #inacol16
— Daniel Allen (@schoolmadefresh) October 26, 2016
Personalized Learning
Technology allows us to build learning experiences in ways that just weren’t possible before. At a blended learning conference like iNACOL, personalized learning is always a big topic. This year, personalized learning conversations centered around using data to tailor learning experiences and honoring student voice.
Personalized learning isn’t about helping students who are behind, it is about meeting students where they are #inacol16 #quest16
— Elaine Plybon (@eplybon) October 26, 2016
#Personalize instruction based on available analytics #iNacol16 pic.twitter.com/MU0JQUIV12
— Adam Lindstrom (@AdamDLindstrom) October 27, 2016
How can #K12 personalize for #TwiceExceptional learners? Ask students! #inacol16https://t.co/6y9fGDO4en@hechingerreport@nacol#StuVoice
— Maria Worthen (@mariaworthen) November 1, 2016
What does average data really tell us? Should we be making instructional decisions on average data? Time to personalize learning! #inacol16 https://t.co/8ErR8tWjva
— Gina Rogers (@grogers1010) October 26, 2016
Navigating the 1:1 Transition
Computers in schools aren’t new and every year learners are doing more learning on devices. As schools ramp up 1:1 and blended learning programs, they’re still figuring out how to make those programs work best for their learners and teachers alike. This year, discussions about making the 1:1 transition focused heavily on building professional learning programs to support teachers and setting clear expectations of the goals and purpose of technology.
How to conquer teachers’ tech anxieties: better PD, allow them to fail, provide devices. #edtech @nacol #inacol16 https://t.co/OGQJoA50ZF pic.twitter.com/KfnKAW7iEy
— Michelle Davis (@EWmdavis) October 28, 2016
Amy sharing our work on badges for personalizing PD 4 teachers so they understand how to do it with kids. https://t.co/AfIbQIQLi4#inacol16pic.twitter.com/U2z2Gr4BsZ
— Bryan Setser (@BryanSetser) October 26, 2016
#Blended & #personalizedlearning isn’t a focus on 1:1 tech, rather meeting student needs, goal setting, & collaboration #iNacol16 pic.twitter.com/uJsO1VdLg3
— Adam Lindstrom (@AdamDLindstrom) October 26, 2016
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