ARPA-ED: Education's Bright Future or Another Dim Bulb?

(Note: The ideas and opinions expressed below are just one stance on ARPA-ED. Please let us know your own views by commenting below the article!)

The research and development of educational technology is a tricky thing, for many reasons. In an ever-changing environment, it's difficult to commit to any given project or resource, particularly when they cost a great amount of money to explore, let alone create. Long touted as "the next big thing," interactive digital whiteboards have yet to conquer all the classrooms of planet Earth. This is due, in part, to industry hesitation when it comes to full-throttle development and implementation. It's not just whiteboards. The question looms: Why spend the money required before we're certain everyone will be using it? Ratty textbooks are still read and dusty erasers are still clapped together by naughty students, after all. Perhaps we should stick to the basics a while longer?

The federal government's 2012 federal budget proposal might change all that with something called ARPA-ED. Called an Advanced Research Projects Agency for Education by those with breath enough for its recitation, ARPA-ED is essentially a 90 million-dollar investment in educational research and development. The Department of Education states that it will "fund projects performed by industry, universities, or other innovative organizations, selected based on their potential to create a dramatic breakthrough in learning and teaching." (read the Department's full explanation of ARPA-ED here)

ARPA-ED (and the government) does so in an effort to put America's student's in a position to occupy and create the jobs of tomorrow - and to improve and advance the educational landscape, of course. The Department of Education argues that to achieve these goals, the United States must reestablish itself as the leader in the development of "game changing educational technologies."

How will ARPA-ED catapult us to the top of educational research and development? For an excellent, thorough explanation, read the Department of Education's version. Put very simply, the project will be managed by the best of the best in their respective fields. These experts will challenge all comers to apply for funding, awarding those they see as having the highest potential to bring about the most important and impacting changes in education. The winners will move forward with their projects, and, presumably, the game will proceed to change.

Turning back to our original dilemma - what does an entity like ARPA-ED do for those developers hoping to come up with "the next big thing"? How might it help propel research and development into the next, and arguably most important, gear - implementation? In a word: focus. ARPA-ED doesn't plan on funding any old ed-tech project. Instead, it purports to select technologies and ideas that possess "specific deliverables with measurable impact." In other words, something that can be introduced to the classroom immediately. Something that will have our students learning in new, exciting, and better ways by next year. Something that developers can begin working on and improving today. If carried out effectively, ARPA-ED could be the push forward that education needs.

Is this the launch pad that sends educational R&D's rocket into the great beyond? Will ARPA-ED see revolutionary changes to our teachers, students, and schools in the near future? Or is it another government dream, another education firecracker that will wind up a dud? Sound off in the comments section below.

Blended Learning: The Future?

Imagine a classroom packed full of cubicles instead of traditional desks. Imagine that each of the cubicles sports a full computer, and that a student focuses on each glowing monitor. The only sounds are the muted click-clicks of keystrokes. Finally, imagine yourself – the teacher of this unique classroom – positioned at a computer of your own, planning your next lesson from a constantly updated data stream based on the activity of your army of plugged-in learners. This isn’t your typical classroom. This is a blended learning environment, and it just might be the next big thing.

One Part Tech, One Part Talk

Blended learning is a style of teaching that combines the high-tech capabilities and potential of computers and other emerging technologies with more traditional face-to-face instruction. Essentially, the student completes online coursework, allowing the teacher to review real-time results. This detailed progress report can be used by the instructor to plan individual and group lessons, and effectively pinpoints strengths and weaknesses.

Sound far off and futuristic? It’s not. In fact, blended learning is already being used. A recent article by Jonathan Schorr and Deborah McGriff on Educationnext.org discusses how blended learning is being implemented in certain schools and institutions around the country (here is a direct link to the article).

Blending is Better

Why bother with all these bells and whistles? The reasons are many. Perhaps the greatest asset of blended learning is the data created through online instruction. A teacher can use this information in a variety of helpful ways:

• Areas of difficulty can be pinpointed and addressed from the beginning.


• Lesson plans are more dynamic when based upon current information. We all know that each and every classroom is different; blended learning allows a teacher to use these differences to better teach his or her individual students.


• Students can view their progress for an immediate sense of achievement; they can also figure out in which areas they are struggling, and use that knowledge to better focus their efforts.

It’s not all about computers, though. Blended learning has a positive impact upon face-to-face interactions as well. The idea is to use technology to make traditional teaching time more effective. Teachers can be confident that they are focusing on necessary skills. In today’s packed classrooms, blended learning also provides an excellent opportunity for small group work. Instead of teaching a room of 35, teachers might reinforce a math skill with 12 students that experienced difficulty while the rest of the class moves on to more difficult concepts. This assures that no one is caught unprepared for the next lesson.

We can’t forget that learning should be fun. Blended learning certainly has this base covered, as students make use of many unique and entertaining materials. Games, interactive lessons, and enhanced visual presentations grab a student’s interest and energy quicker than a chalkboard or textbook. It’s also an increasingly clear truth that modern students relate to the use of high-tech tools like cell phones, the Internet, e-readers, and more. The tools of blended learning will be comfortable in their hands, allowing easy and immediate access to educational content.

Are We Ready?

Not yet. Despite its early success, blended learning is still a new concept. It will take time to develop and refine for widespread use. Given the speed of change in modern education, however, the tide might roll in its favor at any time. Will you be ready? Let us know what you think of blended learning in the comments section below.

More Green Ideas for Earth Day

Don't forget that tomorrow is Earth Day 2011! Here are some more ideas for going green in your school or at home!

Public Pick-Ups

Take a trip around the school, a playground, or a local neighborhood. Bring garbage bags

with you and clean up any litter you see. Use a separate bag for recyclable materials, and

dispose of everything when you have finished. Be sure to wear protective gloves. Not only will

the school/neighborhood look nicer, but you will also be helping the environment.

Get your Plant On (Literally)

Speak to the school authorities and grounds keeper about planting a new tree on school property (or plant one at home, if possible). Some local nurseries (plant shops) sell baby trees that are easily transplanted. If permission is granted, have students help raise money to buy one. Be sure to get them involved in the planting process. Check on the new member of the environment often!

Green Scavenger Hunt

Divide the class into teams and set them loose in the classroom, identifying any anti-green substances or practices. Examples might include: recyclable materials in the regular trash; lights or electronic equipment left on unnecessarily; the presence of older light bulbs instead of energy-efficient ones; etc. The group with the longest accurate list of environmentally unfriendly products wins. You might want to have a “green” prize for the winning team (writing pads/notebooks printed on recycled paper, for example).

Leave Those Cars in the Garage

Challenge students who are able to walk or bike to school. Those who live far away should

try to carpool or take the bus. This will reduce some of the pollution being sent into the air, as

well as the amount of traffic on the roads. This activity is great for parents, too! Try walking or riding bikes when you run errands, for example.

Please let us know how your Earth Day 2011 celebrations and activities turn out! Leave a note in the comments section below.

Be Green This Earth Day!

Spring is a wonderful, beautiful time of year. The air is warm, the skies are bright, and colors are bursting forth in every direction. There is perhaps no better time to celebrate this majestic planet we call home. This Friday, we have the perfect opportunity to do just that – April 22 is Earth Day!

This year’s theme is A Billion Acts of Green®. Millions of people from all around the globe have already pledged to do something to help protect or improve the earth. It’s not too late for you and your students to join the movement. There are many ways to contribute, large and small. Here are a few ideas:

Mission Green

Divide your students into teams. Challenge them to compete to see which team can make the classroom “greener.” Assign points to each team when they reduce waste, conserve power, or make other efforts to make the classroom more environmentally friendly. Points can be awarded for a variety of green actions, such as turning off the lights when everyone leaves a room, packing lunches in recycled bags, reusing materials like paper and paper clips, bringing in a plant for the classroom, etc. At the end of the time allotted, tally the points that each team has earned and see which team is the “greenest.”

Be Powerless – In a Good Way

Designate one day for your class or household to go completely without power. This means no electricity: lights, overhead projectors, electric pencil sharpeners, computers, etc. cannot be used. Instead of using paper for work, use sidewalk chalk or a dry erase board, or teach orally. If the day is a success, schedule more Powerless Days.

Go Green at the Grocery

Make shopping bags to bring with you next time you go to the store. This way, you won’t deplete the store’s plastic bag supply, and you won’t have to throw away the bags. This can be done using material such as canvas, cloth, or felt, a needle and thread, and fabric paints. Simply cut the fabric into two 24”x 24” squares and decorate both pieces with fabric paints. Let the fabric dry before sewing the edges of each piece together. Adults may need to help with the sewing to make sure the stitches are secure and strong.

How do you plan to celebrate Earth Day? What green ideas do you use in your classroom or home? Sound off in the comments section below. And stay tuned to Bridging the Gaps, as we’ll offer more environmentally friendly suggestions and activities throughout this week.

For more information on Earth Day 2011, check out the Earth Day Network’s official website.

Shakespeare Takes Center Stage This April

Last week, we blogged about National Poetry Month. It seems that April has a flair for the literary, because it's also the month of William Shakespeare's birthday! That's right, the man whom many call the greatest writer in the English language walked onto the world's stage on April 26, 1564. Things haven't been the same since.

We'll spare you the skinny on Mr. Shakespeare - you've likely heard it before. If you want to know more about the Bard of Avon, or any of his 38 plays, check out Shakespeare Online.

If you teach young students or children, don't stop reading! The actual works of the playwright might be beyond your student's grasp; that doesn't mean you can't celebrate his legacy in your classroom. Teach your students about the life and times of William Shakespeare. The man's story is interesting (and somewhat mysterious), and the world he wrote for was rich and fascinating.

Though your students might struggle with King Lear, April is a perfect month for a class or school play of any level. Show your class video performances or take a field trip to a local theater. Get them talking about drama and the stage. Create a short play, assign roles, practice, and perform for other students, teachers, or parents! It may sound like lots of work, but students will learn a prop room's worth of valuable lessons and skills.

If your students are old enough to tackle a Shakespearean play, this is the time to do so. This takes time and effort (especially for the students), but the rewards are many. Many of the themes and ideas behind Shakespeare's greatest works still apply - students will learn and react in amazing new ways. Translation can be tricky - the daily speak was somewhat different in the 16th century - but fear not, Lorenz Educational Press has you covered with the Access to Shakespeare Series. These full plays contain original texts alongside simple, modern translations. Click this link to take a gander. We've got five of the Bard's greatest plays - take a look!

How do you plan on saying Happy Birthday to William Shakespeare this April? Share your ideas in the comments section below!

Plan Ahead for National Poetry Month!

It's hard to believe, but March is half over! That means it's time to start thinking about lesson plans and teaching ideas for April. Look no further - we've got you covered. How about a little poetry?

That's right - April is National Poetry Month. First celebrated in 1996, this celebration of verse increases awareness and appreciation of poetry. It's also a great opportunity for teachers and parents to boost their students' learning with some poetry. Kids (and adults) of all ages enjoy reading, interpreting, and writing poems of all kinds. With so many different kinds and forms, there's something for everyone. It's not just for Language Arts teachers, either. Poetry can be used to enhance just about any subject matter, including music, math, history, and even science.

So why not use the wonderful tool of poetry in your classrooms and homes this April? Here are some great places to start planning:

Poets.org: your one-stop site for all things poetry, brought to you by the Academy of American Poets

PoeStories.com: an excellent site dedicated to the works of Edgar Allan Poe, one of poetry's most celebrated figures

Looking for something specific? Try these links:

National Poetry Month FAQ

Tips for Teaching Poetry

For Educators

Great Poems to Teach

Teacher Resource Center

How do you plan on using poetry at home or in the classroom this April? Share your ideas and stories in the comments section below!

3.1415926535 = Πarty!

Archimedes. Ptolemy. Newton. Some of the most brilliant minds in history. United with many others around the globe and through the ages in their devotion to a single pursuit – pi. That’s not a typo. We’re not talking about apple, pecan, or lemon meringue varieties. We’re talking about 3.1415926535…and so on. And this March 14, you can join the worldwide celebration of Pi Day!

You’ve probably heard of pi. It’s the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. And it’s a pretty huge deal. Mathematicians have studied and restudied this number for millennia, and will continue to do so for the next thousands of years. Now, if you’re an English teacher or have a seven-year-old at home, you might think that Pi Day is something to skip over. But what’s the fun of that? There are plenty of fun and educational ways for anyone to celebrate.

• Though Ludolph van Ceulen didn’t spend most of his life munching on pizza – he accurately extended the known digits of pie to 35 and had them engraved on his tombstone – you most definitely can! Lead your students in a math lesson and celebrate with a slice of your favorite kind of pie. Don’t forget, English enthusiasts, that pi and pie are homophones…
• Another brilliant mind, Albert Einstein, shares his birthday with pi. Discuss Einstein and his contributions to science and mathematics.
• Teach about other math milestones and how history has changed through their impact: zero, calculators, the Pythagorean Theorem. Pick concepts that your class has or will study.
• Or, you can fully embrace the day and design a lesson about pi. Even if your students can’t understand what pi means, they will enjoy learning about the people who have studied it throughout history; they will also be fascinated by the applications pi has to the world.

Ready to get your pi on? Check out TeachPi.org for tons of great ideas and information. While you’re at it, take a look at some of our very own math bestsellers.

How do you plan on recognizing Π? Share your ideas in the comments section below!!