Moonshots in Education: Launching Blended Learning in the Classroom

These skills are considered “non-cognitive,” and might be better described as individual characteristics, rather than specific skill sets; they are not easily measured or quantified by traditional tests. These characteristics involve personal attitudes and social skills, and are not necessarily tied to performance in a specific domain, such as read

website AGoogleADay.com gives students a chance to practice

SuccessMaker, an adaptive digital curriculum that provides a customized learning path and scaffolded feedback based on student performance. Teachers are also trained to use ST Math (ST is short for “Spatial-Temporal”), a software program developed by the MIND Research Institute.

and perhaps most important, is to put students in situations requiring them to think for themselves.

To transition to the 21st century, schools need to take a risk—they need a moonshot. They need to find a way to change the culture of the classroom from a teacher-directed model to a student-directed model. That is the basis of blended learning.

In some schools, social and emotional learning, or SEL, has been implemented as a strategy to equip students with the emotional and psychological skills that will critically affect achievement both in and outside of the classroom. These schools, such as Garfield Elementary in Oakland, California, and Leataata Floyd Elementary in Sacramento, conside

From Teacher-Centered to Student-Centered: Blended Learning at Eastside College Prep

Critical Thinking 2. Communication 3. Collaboration 4. Creativity

In a February 2013 report by the U.S. Department of Education, a core set of non-cognitive skills—grit, tenacity, and perseverance—was identified as a critical factor for success in the twenty-first century.