Learning through gaming

By playing the popular online video game League of Legends and then reflecting on their performance, Horace Mann students will be learning critical life skills

When students are so deeply engaged in a task that they can’t wait to dive in — and at the same time, they’re learning fundamental skills that are critical for their success — it’s a magical combination. That’s what a lucky group of 20 students at Horace Mann UCLA Community … Read More

A national esports effort aims to ‘change the trajectory’ for students

As it grows in popularity, many stakeholders and educators realize esports has great potential to help students connect classroom lessons with real-world possibilities

As a student, video gamer and flight instructor Hudson Davis was often bored in school. He found that many classes provided only a surface-level understanding of key topics—and he was doing a lot of self-directed learning outside of class to explore topics he was passionate about. “School should do a … Read More

How esports boosts teamwork, communication skills

Students are also developing self-confidence as they learn key 21st century skills through esports

Teamwork and communication are the top skills employers are looking for, a new survey of hiring managers reveals. That bodes well for the students at a Los Angeles secondary school who are taking part in an innovative program that uses esports to teach critical 21st century skills: Teamwork and communication … Read More

3 key parts of a K-12 coding or robotics program

Implementing a coding or robotics program can be challenging--here are key elements that can make the process easier

K-12 teachers and administrators have been listening to policy makers and industry leaders warn of the need for computer science instruction, such as a coding or robotics program, in U.S. schools for years. And the evidence they cite is compelling. For instance… Global management consulting firm McKinsey & Co. estimates … Read More

Here’s why cyber security experts are concerned about remote learning

Teaching, learning, and working remotely raises many IT security issues that K-12 leaders should be aware of

Recently, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) warned schools about an increase in ransomware attacks during the pandemic, with attackers exploiting Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connections that allow school employees to log in to district servers remotely. While the FBI’s alert is worrisome in its own right, it’s not the … Read More

Teachers need emotional support this school year

It’s not just students who are feeling stressed out during the pandemic--K-12 leaders should consider how to meet the social and emotional needs of their staff as well

At Hicks Canyon Elementary School in Orange County, Calif., students have been learning with digital devices since the Tustin Unified School District went 1:1 six years ago — so the shift to remote learning amid the coronavirus pandemic wasn’t as jarring as it could have been. Yet, it was still … Read More