Innov8: Cause + Code

It’s that magical time of year when Hour of Code and Computer Science Education Week double down in December. You’re likely seeing trending topics like coding and computer science. We’re excited by news about Coding Nights for Families and opportunities for kids to share what they’re learning. We believe coding can be a useful career skill that, when taught well, promotes computational thinking and problem-solving.
Coding is half of a broader opportunity for contribution. As Tom explains, “Young people in high school and college should have the opportunity across the curriculum to explore how the world is changing and what they can do to bend the arc of history in a slightly more positive direction. That requires cause + code: a challenge worth engaging in and the data tools to provide leverage.”
Check out this week’s Top 8 news stories for more on innovations in teaching and learning.

Join champions @serenawilliams @neymarjr @carmeloanthony @Money23Green @chrisbosh @S10Bird @SergioRamos @MarceloM12 and more in #HourOfCode pic.twitter.com/L4L3EgcCuY

— Code.org (@codeorg) December 5, 2016

Teachers & Leaders

1. ISTE Standards Refresh

Check out the 2017 refresh of the ISTE Standards for Teachers at https://t.co/MKVCjB6LLq #FutureOfEducation #Technologies #EdTech pic.twitter.com/jRKKObEBVI

— SA Teach Learn (@SATeachLearn) December 5, 2016

Aren’t sure your participation in the refresh will help? Then be sure to check out 5 Reasons Your Voice Matters in the ISTE Standards for Students Refresh.
2. Leading Teacher Leaders

How can schools support teachers to step up as leaders and solve problems? @trueteacherlead has some ideas: https://t.co/IZdIypcBEW pic.twitter.com/YjOxeR6TVw

— CTQ (@teachingquality) December 5, 2016

Here are Two Strategies for Empowering Teacher Leaders as well.

Dollars & Deals

3. FBOL Grant Recipients

.@FoundationBOL announces recipients of its 2016 Innovative Educator Grant Program https://t.co/eKD9hoMfwl #personalizedlearning

— Caroline Vander Ark (@cvanderark) November 30, 2016

#STEM Gems

4. Virtual Reality in Education

Promising #VR classroom applications https://t.co/iql0qkpJqS @VentureBeat #EdTech @vreducation pic.twitter.com/PQXowo97PB

— Tom Vander Ark (@tvanderark) December 5, 2016

We chat more about if Virtual Reality is Hope or Hype on the blog. Check out 12 more ways to stoke your STEM.

Planting A SEAD

5. Empathy App

More than 90% of K-8 schools nationwide now use the app @ClassDojo. What is it? https://t.co/1faIQLGZWe @ainsleyoc via @FastCompany #innov8

— Carri Schneider (@CarriSchneider) December 2, 2016

Modeling empathy in person as a school leader is important as well, so here are 8 Ways School Leaders Can Practice Empathy in Listening.

Let’s Get Personalized

6.  One Good Question

One Good Question interview with @susandpatrick via @BroussardRhonda on trust, #equity in global advancement of #edu https://t.co/ONlPkDz6jK pic.twitter.com/zwnvCopW48

— iNACOL (@nacol) December 6, 2016

Here’s iNACOL’s take on how state policy can support personalized learning.

Research & Reports

7. Innovating Pedagogy in 2016

How can failing, thinking like a designer & big data improve learning? The OU’s Innovating Pedagogy Report explains https://t.co/KmNodSv6e2

— The Open University (@OpenUniversity) December 4, 2016

8. K-3 Math Student Success

Noodle Markets research highlights K-3 math curriculum product success at specific income levels: https://t.co/E36aU40f9B #K12 #EdTech

— Education Dive (@EducationDive) December 2, 2016

Have a news item you’d like us to consider for next Wednesday’s edition?
Tweet us @Getting_Smart using #innov8 or to email [email protected] with “Innov8” in the subject line. For more ideas on what type of stories we run, check out the full Innov8 series on our blog.

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