Posts by David Ross
The Lure of the Classroom
In 1994 I made what many of my colleagues considered a foolish choice: I quit a successful career in journalism to become a classroom teacher. That decision led to six years of teaching middle school in Southern California and another four years at New Technology High in Napa,…
Developing Skills for School, Work and Life Requires a Systematic Approach
Current research demonstrates that all learners develop college and career skills in a wave pattern that ebbs and flows, but constantly pushes forward to higher levels of expertise. David Ross explores this and other skill development models.
Selective Attention Span Shapes the Length of Effective Instructional Experiences
Widely accepted claims about the decreasing attention span of learners may not be justified by current research. That research examines the nature of attention and creates new models for how we can better adapt instruction to maximize learning. Short instructional sequences such as micro-credentials and nano degrees fit into what should be a full spectrum of learning opportunities.
OECD Learning Compass 2030 Provides Teachers, Students, and Employers with Milestones for Workforce Success
OECD Future of Education and Skills 2030 used inputs from policy makers, researchers, school leaders, teachers and students from around the world to create Learning Compass 2030, which aims to build a common understanding of the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values students need in the 21st century. We analyze the report and provide guidance on how this will impact teaching and learning for the next decade.
Space Education Allows Students To Dream Big
We are a few weeks away from the 50th anniversary of Neil Armstrong’s historic moon walk. Celebrate the event by engaging your students in projects, lessons, activities and field trips focused on space exploration.
Is Personalized Learning the Latest Tool To Increase Student Engagement?
David Ross reflects on how student engagement has evolved over his teaching career and shares insights and strategies that amplify personalized learning through intentional emphasis on increased student agency.
Guided Pathways and Meta-Majors
David Ross discusses how guided pathways and meta-majors programs are being adopted in community colleges and four-year universities and showing broad-scale benefits of such support.
Platform Skills Tighten Focus on Effective Communication
David shares his excitement around the development of platform skills in the education sector and outlines five key platform skills to enhance PBL frameworks and improve a students’ ability to effectively communicate for a purpose and to a target audience.
Bio-Politics and The Implications of Ideology on Learning
David Ross discusses bio-politics, a field which illuminates the psychological differences between our two political parties and the implications of ideology on learning.
Developing 21st Century Skills and Content Knowledge Through Dance
David Ross explores how dance experiences assist children in cultivating the 21st-century skills of creative thinking, collaboration, communication, global awareness, and self-direction.