Breakout Sessions
Defending Technology
May 2, 2007 6:22 AM
In a new Edweek Commentary, LFA Summit presenter Henry Kelly argues that the nation is squandering the promise of technology in schools by underinvesting in technology development, teacher training, and other tools that could make educational technologies most effective
Read More…Creating the right conditions for educational technology
February 18, 2007 7:06 PM
While educational technologies have shown promise, it has become a truism that we cannot simply graft them onto current educational structures and expect miracles. Yet, truism or not, that's precisely what happens in too many schools, where technology diverts scarce resources with little or no payoff in student learning. Wiith generous support from Cisco Systems, Inc., an important Summit breakout session willl examine what schools and districts should do to ensure that technology truly supports student learning.
Read More…Teaching 21st-century skills
February 18, 2007 2:47 PM
The national debate about public education and U.S. economic competitiveness tends to focus too exclusively on the number of engineers and scientists we churn out every year. Important as home-grown engineers and scientists may be to our future national prosperity, education and business leaders alike realize that the skills our students will need for success in the new century encompass much more than only math and science. Many also agree that current education policies are giving short shrift these new skill demands. An important and engaging breakout session at LFA's summit will examine what these skills are and what kinds of policies and practices can promote them in our nation's public schools.
Read More…Preparing for uncertain futures
February 18, 2007 2:10 PM
A pate of reports is reminding us that our nation and our public schools will face very daunting challenges in the decades ahead. Demographic, social, technological, economic and even climate change wil likely alter the face of public schools in the new century. A breakout session at the LFA summit will help leaders try to get ahead of this curve.
Read More…A new look at data-driven decision-making
February 18, 2007 1:50 PM
Sessions on data-driven decision-making have become a staple in many education conferences, in large part because they have won so many converts among educators. As many now know, well-designed data collection systems allow educators to tailor teaching to individual student needs, uncover education inequities that might otherwise go unnoticed, and identify systemic problems that require attention. A breakout session at the Learning First Alliance Summit will examine these issues from new perspectives.
Read More…A breakout session on staffing high-poverty, low-performing schools
January 29, 2007 10:01 AM
The world of education does not lack jargon, buzzwords, and technical lingo. From teaming structures to structural change, the education landscape sometimes requires an education of its own. But the words all point to one ultimate necessity for all schools everywhere: GOOD TEACHERS AND LEADERS. Every student can understand the importance of well-qualified, well-trained effective teachers and principals. The problem is that not every student has access to this educational essential need. In fact, it is the most vulnerable students who are the least likely to gain access to the best teachers and principals. An important breakout session at the LFA summit will tackle this subject head-on.
Breakout session on serious games
December 22, 2006 2:59 PM
The Federation of American Scientists will participate in an exciting breakout session featuring its ground-breaking work in the field of serious games. Serious games are showing early promise as advanced learning technologies that can improve student learning. The Federation argues that serious video games have the power to motivate children to learn rigorous content both in and out of school while potentially taking advantage of gaming platforms that are already in millions of households across the country.
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