Friday, March 30, 2012
Will there be jobs for iForward graduates?
Yes..... but you will need further education after high school! 61 percent of Wisconsin’s jobs will require post-secondary education by 2018. Between now and 2018, Wisconsin will need to fill 925,000 vacancies resulting from job creation, worker retirements and other factors. Of these job vacancies, 558,000 will require post-secondary credentials.
Tracking the trend... The Percentage of the state’s working age population (25-64) with at least an associate degree:
2008 – 38.0%
2009 – 38.2%
2010 – 39.1%
Meeting the educational needs of our 21st century students will help build Wisconsin’s economy and
ensure a bright future for them and for our state.
Source: Help Wanted, a report by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce.
http://www.luminafoundation.org/publications/A_Stronger_Nation-2012.pdf p. 128-129
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Learning Resources Becoming Plentiful and FREE
Check out this great FREE learning resources. http://education-portal.com/academy/course/index.html
Thanks Katie E., Insight student, for finding this website and for sharing it! There is lots of chunked learning (10 min segments) and free learning objects for upper level courses. It is also great as background tutorials. Like the Khan academy, it is another free resource to use as we help students master the material. Interesting college applications, too. It poses some interesting questions and implications about the plethora of knowledge now available and free on the Internet. Teachers are no longer the repositories and keepers of knowledge, rather the facilitators of the learning process.
Thanks Katie E., Insight student, for finding this website and for sharing it! There is lots of chunked learning (10 min segments) and free learning objects for upper level courses. It is also great as background tutorials. Like the Khan academy, it is another free resource to use as we help students master the material. Interesting college applications, too. It poses some interesting questions and implications about the plethora of knowledge now available and free on the Internet. Teachers are no longer the repositories and keepers of knowledge, rather the facilitators of the learning process.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Vocational Education Legislation- Gov Walker
(Milwaukee
Journal Sentinel © 03/27/2012)
By Erin Richards of the Journal Sentinel
Gov. Scott Walker
will be in Racine Monday to sign legislation that allows school boards to grant
a vocational diploma to students and that boosts funding for a nonprofit that
places at-risk students in work environments while they earn their diplomas,
according to a statement from the governor's office.
Walker to sign vocational education legislation in Racine
Gov. Scott Walker will be in Racine Monday to sign
legislation that allows school boards to grant a vocational diploma to students
and that boosts funding for a nonprofit that places at-risk students in work
environments while they earn their diplomas, according to a statement from the
governor's office.
Currently, students in Wisconsin need only 13.5 credits to
graduate: four credits of English, three of social studies, two of science, two
of math, 1.5 credits of physical education and half a credit of health
education.
The new legislation would allow school boards to grant a
vocational high school diploma to a pupil who has not earned all 13.5 of those
academic credits, but has earned a sufficient number of credits in
vocational subjects, as determined by the school board.
The number of high school credits required by Wisconsin is
one of the lowest in the country - though most high schools do require more
than the minimum state credits. But it will be interesting to see how
school boards interpret this new law - what is considered a
"sufficient" number of credits in vocational subjects for a student
to be prepared for work or life after high school?
Also, the new legislation to be signed would boost funding
to a program called Second
Chance Partners for Education, http://www.secondchancepartners.org/partners.html
a nonprofit that partners with districts to identify students at risk of not
graduating. The nonprofit partners with businesses and then hooks them up with
the students, allowing the kids to work for six hours a day - and earn a
paycheck - in a rotation of different businesses while spending two hours a day
in classroom instruction.
Here's a story
about how the program works.
Second Chance used to get state funding of about $4,600 per
student, but the new law would grant them the same per-pupil allotment that
public charter schools receive. Currently, charter schools receive $7,775 per
pupil.
The amount of state aid that the participating student's
home school district would otherwise receive for their enrollment would be
reduced by the amount paid to Second Chance, according to the legislation.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Wisconsin got it right (finally)...States Take Legislative Actions to Expand Virtual Ed. http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2012/03/15/25e-learning.h31.html?tkn=RZOFMB26cH9b6d%2FrOKK2gWHxYuIoPSyaXhf1&cmp=ENL-EU-NEWS2
The Los Angeles Times reports that
In this article Wisconsin was sited as one of twelve states that has made the most improvement gains in this area. Yeah Wisconsin!
iForward is one way that students who have not found success elsewhere, can still graduate. It is a non-traditional approach to public education. Innovative public education.
You see, we believe that Schools Control the Conditions for Success. Let Wisconsin continue to be a part of the solution....... and not a part of the problem. Let's show the other states how it is done.
At iForward it is our business to provide hope and a future to young people. Let's not give up...... let's innovate and design programs where students will be successful. It is learning and skill development that matters most. It make a difference in their lives, reduces the need for more social welfare programs, and improves state and national economies.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-high-school-graduation-20120319,0,4071272.story
When high school is too much: 1 in 4 don't graduate.
High school graduation rates are considered a key indicator of future student success and earning potential. In his State of the Union address, President Obama encouraged states to pass laws to require students to stay in school until they graduate or they turn 18. It is estimated that high school graduates will earn $130,000 more over their lifetimes than dropouts.In this article Wisconsin was sited as one of twelve states that has made the most improvement gains in this area. Yeah Wisconsin!
iForward is one way that students who have not found success elsewhere, can still graduate. It is a non-traditional approach to public education. Innovative public education.
You see, we believe that Schools Control the Conditions for Success. Let Wisconsin continue to be a part of the solution....... and not a part of the problem. Let's show the other states how it is done.
At iForward it is our business to provide hope and a future to young people. Let's not give up...... let's innovate and design programs where students will be successful. It is learning and skill development that matters most. It make a difference in their lives, reduces the need for more social welfare programs, and improves state and national economies.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-high-school-graduation-20120319,0,4071272.story
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Education woes linked to national security
The Journal Times has an interesting article that suggests that the nation's security and economic prosperity are at risk if America's schools don't improve. One of the suggestions is that Structural changes are needed in schools to provide students with more choices in where they can go to school, so many students aren't stuck in under-performing schools. That is the mission of iForward, to provide students and parents with choices so that they do not have to stay in schools that do not meet their needs.
It has been a blessing of mine to be able to attend the graduations each spring for our virtual high school. I am fortunate to get to speak with our students, meet their families, talk with their teachers, and hear their life stories. I see their photos depicted in a graduation video as a part of the ceremony. I see their pride of accomplishment and wish them well as they earn scholarships, plan for college, and are excited for their future. Some of the celebrations are HUGE because of the struggles of the students and families. Because of these experiences, it is clear to me that our students each have unique needs/interests that have brought them to us. These students are special and important.
Sometimes our students want a full line of advanced placement courses and only a college preparatory line of study. These students want to focus on college and their career plans. They are serious students that want more than a typical high school can staff. Sometimes our students have other interests and talents such as athletes and artists who can not attend the daily schedule of a typical high school due to training and performance schedules. Sometimes our students are teen parents who prefer to learn at home while they are with their new child and they may have day care issues. Sometimes our students have to work to support their families financially through tough economic times. Sometimes our students have health issues and have to stay at home or in the hospital due to a health situation beyond their control. Some of our students have been picked on, bullied, and harassed in the brick and mortar school and traditional school is an unpleasant place for them each day. They prefer a safer environment where they can learn without these hurts. Sometimes it is the home school student who needs a different teacher besides mom or dad..... so mom and dad can be the guide on the side.
There are lots of reasons that students attend our charter online high school. Each one of these reasons is valid and important. The main point is that students and parents need choices on how they learn and prepare for their future. While one size (brick and mortar schools) will fit most.......One size does not fit all. That is our specialty.......providing a quality educational choice. We have talented on-line teachers. We have multiple ways to learn and multiple pathways to get there....... a full, robust curriculum for all types of students.....
because choice matters.
Read more: http://www.journaltimes.com/news/us/panel-says-problem-schools-hurt-nation-s-security/article_8db8e267-47ea-5d36-ac08-c842fe758907.html#ixzz1pgYYTsZy
It has been a blessing of mine to be able to attend the graduations each spring for our virtual high school. I am fortunate to get to speak with our students, meet their families, talk with their teachers, and hear their life stories. I see their photos depicted in a graduation video as a part of the ceremony. I see their pride of accomplishment and wish them well as they earn scholarships, plan for college, and are excited for their future. Some of the celebrations are HUGE because of the struggles of the students and families. Because of these experiences, it is clear to me that our students each have unique needs/interests that have brought them to us. These students are special and important.
Sometimes our students want a full line of advanced placement courses and only a college preparatory line of study. These students want to focus on college and their career plans. They are serious students that want more than a typical high school can staff. Sometimes our students have other interests and talents such as athletes and artists who can not attend the daily schedule of a typical high school due to training and performance schedules. Sometimes our students are teen parents who prefer to learn at home while they are with their new child and they may have day care issues. Sometimes our students have to work to support their families financially through tough economic times. Sometimes our students have health issues and have to stay at home or in the hospital due to a health situation beyond their control. Some of our students have been picked on, bullied, and harassed in the brick and mortar school and traditional school is an unpleasant place for them each day. They prefer a safer environment where they can learn without these hurts. Sometimes it is the home school student who needs a different teacher besides mom or dad..... so mom and dad can be the guide on the side.
There are lots of reasons that students attend our charter online high school. Each one of these reasons is valid and important. The main point is that students and parents need choices on how they learn and prepare for their future. While one size (brick and mortar schools) will fit most.......One size does not fit all. That is our specialty.......providing a quality educational choice. We have talented on-line teachers. We have multiple ways to learn and multiple pathways to get there....... a full, robust curriculum for all types of students.....
because choice matters.
Read more: http://www.journaltimes.com/news/us/panel-says-problem-schools-hurt-nation-s-security/article_8db8e267-47ea-5d36-ac08-c842fe758907.html#ixzz1pgYYTsZy
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
Khan Academy - learning anywhere to support iForward students
The Khan Academy has videos and tutorials on many math concepts (other subjects, too) that will greatly help iForward students. http://www.khanacademy.org/
Check out what 60 minutes had to say about the Khan Academy at http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7401696n&tag=contentBody;storyMediaBox
Check out what 60 minutes had to say about the Khan Academy at http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7401696n&tag=contentBody;storyMediaBox
Friday, March 9, 2012
Education Protects Against Unemployment
Dr. Tony Evers, The Wisconsin State Superintendent of Public Instruction provided this slide to Superintendents and stressed the importance of preparing ALL students well in high school.
He stressed the importance of education and how it protects a person through out their life. You can see from this slide that the higher the education, the less unemployment. That is what we are about at iForward. Preparing students for their future while they are in middle school and high school. We will provide you with the "steps" to make that happen.
Career Pathways are “steps” designed to help students begin to plan and prepare for a career which interests them while in high school. Career Pathways will guide you with everything from High school classes which will best prepare you for your chosen career and High school classes which will provide you with advanced standing or "transcripted credit". These courses all you earn college credits with your high school coursework saving you time and money when you get to college.
He stressed the importance of education and how it protects a person through out their life. You can see from this slide that the higher the education, the less unemployment. That is what we are about at iForward. Preparing students for their future while they are in middle school and high school. We will provide you with the "steps" to make that happen.
Career Pathways are “steps” designed to help students begin to plan and prepare for a career which interests them while in high school. Career Pathways will guide you with everything from High school classes which will best prepare you for your chosen career and High school classes which will provide you with advanced standing or "transcripted credit". These courses all you earn college credits with your high school coursework saving you time and money when you get to college.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
iforward to have transcripted and advanced standing courses
Last week John Jacobs (the Interim Executive Director for
iForward) and I went to Wisconsin Indianhead
Technical College
The student earns high
school credit and tech college credit at the same time. After the course they receive a transcript
from the tech college that is theirs to take where ever they go. This college transcript/credit goes with them
when they go on to further post secondary training. http://www.witc.edu/highschool/transferto.htm We want to make the junior and senior year as
meaningful as possible for the student.
When they leave iForward, students could have several tech college
credits earned and paid for….. and this will help a lot on the time they will
spend in college and on the college bills.
We learned that there is no easy path to forge these
relationships with the Tech Colleges. It
would be nice to call up the college president and ask him to help us (which I
plan to do). However, to find out what
the courses are that are available, and to find out if they are online…..It has
to be one tech college at a time, department by department, Dean by Dean. But the pay off for our students will be
fantastic!
Monday, March 5, 2012
iForward is Your Ticket!
iForward is your ticket to change the world.
“You are educated. Your certification is in your degree. You
may think of it as the ticket to the good life. Let me ask you to think of an
alternative. Think of it as your ticket to change the world. ”
|
Tom Brokaw (born 1940);
American television
journalist and author
|
Friday, March 2, 2012
Earning Badges in courses
The whole concept of earning Badges as the way to certify courses is interesting. I just completed a course through UW Stout on Games and Learning. The entire course was done through Badgestack (Learning Times). As a learner, the course work was designed as "quests". After the learning was accomplished, work uploaded, and reflections and discussions posted, a badge was awarded. Learners had a choice in the badges they wished to pursue, but they needed 3 or 4 badges to "level" up to the next level. The levels were warm-up, novice, and master. Reward points were also needed to level up and they were earned through discussion with other students and nominations for badges. Being the over achiever that I am, I finished the badges in three weeks rather than four...... I just couldn't stop. Learning was fun. I wanted to earn more Badges. At the end of the course I earned a real nice UW Stout Course Badge. Sweet!
It is my goal to roll that concept out next year at iForward. We are planning to bring the instructor from Stout to Grantsburg to train our teachers on how to use badging in their lesson design. Our hope is to make learning, more engaging, motivating, and lead the way as games become more a part of how we learn.
The text for the Game Design class at Stout was a good one that I highly recommend: Reality is Broken, by Jane McGonigal. It helped me to understand why gaming is so motivating...I will never think of video games the same way again. She suggests that games are "happiness engines" that can make education more fulfilling, more engaging, and more productive. She has some good theory and research to support her claims. And, it worked on me..... and I am a savvy learner.
If you are interested in more about badging..... check out Digit!.... a badging project with New York City Transition Schools at http://badgestackproject.org/blog/digit-nycdoe/. More about Badging to come....
It is my goal to roll that concept out next year at iForward. We are planning to bring the instructor from Stout to Grantsburg to train our teachers on how to use badging in their lesson design. Our hope is to make learning, more engaging, motivating, and lead the way as games become more a part of how we learn.
The text for the Game Design class at Stout was a good one that I highly recommend: Reality is Broken, by Jane McGonigal. It helped me to understand why gaming is so motivating...I will never think of video games the same way again. She suggests that games are "happiness engines" that can make education more fulfilling, more engaging, and more productive. She has some good theory and research to support her claims. And, it worked on me..... and I am a savvy learner.
If you are interested in more about badging..... check out Digit!.... a badging project with New York City Transition Schools at http://badgestackproject.org/blog/digit-nycdoe/. More about Badging to come....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)