Are GIFs the Secret Sauce to Working and Learning Remotely?
by Beth Rabbitt on November 13 2019
This blog was originally published on EdSurge.When new colleagues start work at The Learning Accelerator (TLA), they’re often surprised that one of the first “required” organizational readings is actually a 2014 video called “Conference Call in Real Life.” It humorously manages to cover the slightly charming but, more so, annoying aspects of...
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Personalizing Learning for Educators: Measuring What Works
by Beth Rabbitt on November 2 2019
In the world of school improvement and innovation, where we ask communities of teachers to change how they are working to better support each student, adult learning is a (if not THE) critical lever for change.
For this reason, we’ve focused on teacher training and professional learning at TLA since our founding, seeking to build the capacity of...
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We're Looking for Our Next Team Member
by Bianca Dávila on October 23 2019
At The Learning Accelerator (TLA), we’re looking for an amazing program leader of research and measurement. Our small but mighty and mission-driven team envisions a future in which each student receives an effective, equitable, and engaging education – one that is informed by data and supported by technology – enabling them to reach their full and...
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If Personalized Learning Is Going to Work, Teacher Onboarding Must Improve. Here’s How.
by Kristen Watkins on September 13 2019
This blog was originally published on EdSurge.
In 2017, at the end of our third year of implementing personalized learning at Dallas ISD, our central personalized learning team conducted a series of stepback meetings with school leaders. We wanted to learn their biggest concerns around implementation, along with what was and wasn’t working for...
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The New Role of the Workplace and Creating Learning Microsystems
by Jeremy Jones on August 23 2019
I often look at the world around me to better understand the world we need to create in our schools and educational ecosystems. In this journey, I bump up against a lot of analogs that give us lessons we can apply to better enhance the interactions between students, between students and teachers, and between students and their learning...
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Vote for TLA in SXSWedu's PanelPicker
by Samantha Artukovich on August 19 2019
It’s that time of the year again! The public voting period for SXSWedu’s PanelPicker has arrived, and we would love your help in bringing The Learning Accelerator (TLA) back to Austin! Please take a few minutes to look into the sessions below and vote for your favorites. If you aren't already registered to vote for SXSWedu sessions yet, you can...
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Innovating teaching and learning this school year? Find the right experts with ILEx!
by Nithi Thomas, Rachel Klein on August 13 2019
August has arrived, and school leaders are busy planning for a strong launch to the school year. Many are focused on implementing innovative approaches to make learning more personalized, mastery-based, and supportive of whole child development. Doing this work is complex, and there is no one right “pathway” or model for implementation. So how can...
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Are You Ready for Some New Teachers?: Resources for onboarding new teachers to innovative models
by Juliana Finegan on August 8 2019
August is here, and in education that means one thing: the first day of school is near! With the start of school on the horizon, school and system leaders around the country are working to design and plan content and experiences that will prepare, engage, and inspire new and novice teachers alike for the year ahead.
The Challenge
Each year,...
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Rethinking Time in the Blended and Personalized Classroom: Strategies and tools to maximize technology’s effect on teaching and learning
by Caleb Allen on July 24 2019
TLA periodically shares perspectives from educators and other voices from the field. The views and opinions expressed in these guest posts are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of TLA. If you are interested in writing a guest blog, please contact us!
The future of blended learning is promising! Educational...
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Good professional development focuses on problems of practice
by Stephen Pham on June 17 2019
High-quality, effective professional learning can be hard to find. Too often, educators experience learning that is not personalized, engaging, or relevant. Professional development that is designed to be one-size-fits-all does not take into account the different needs and skill levels in the room, making sessions feel more about compliance than...
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