Virgil Ricks

Digital Promise has released a new report, “The Promise of Micro-credentials and Learning and Employment Record Technologies for Youth and K-12 Schools,” which helps district leaders and technology sector leaders understand the conditions necessary to successfully implement competency-based, learner-centered micro-credentials and learning and employment record (LER) technologies in K-12 schools.  https://lnkd.in/eT_pc6eB

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School districts used an average of 2,739 different tools in 2023-24 — an 8% jump from the previous year. Q1: Are these tools being used thoughtfully, in ways that make a meaningful impact on student learning? Q2: Are these tools being thoughtfully vetted for privacy, or are folks just chasing the latest “ooh, bright, shiny” trend in edtech (AI) without considering the potential privacy implications? What do you think? #edtech #cybersecurity #privacy

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Enrollment trends are very dynamic in K-12 and test prep segments because this trend depends on 📉 📈 geography, paying capacity of public and awareness index of public.

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As school districts continue to evolve, I wonder how the rest of the world will adapt to these changes. In the corporate world, how many of you pay attention to what is happening in k-12 schools? Should we be paying more attention? How can we adapt with the new flows of understanding and learning rather than subject new workers to adapt to older mentality of work?

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Great questions! What are your plans for the next school year that will support student growth? What training are you looking forward to at Back-to-School PD with your instructional staff? What new resources have you found to support this growth?

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Looking for ways to enhance student engagement and tailor instruction to meet diverse learning needs? Check out our latest video: Using Choice Boards with VEX GO. By incorporating choice boards into your VEX GO STEM Lab Units, you can: ✅ Provide students with voice and choice in their learning journey ✅ Boost engagement and motivation ✅ Differentiate instruction to cater to various learning styles 📹 Watch Now: #VEXRobotics

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Thanks to @DA_magazine for the insightful article breaking down key findings from The Education Insights Report by Discovery Education. Read on below to learn more!

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Innovation is about synthesizing new and old things to tackle emergent problems that don't have solutions yet. It's not about fixing what isn't broken or doing the same thing in a new way. I see this issue crop up a lot when it comes to adopting edtech. If you can do it in the LMS, do it in the LMS. Avoid putting a hat on a hat. #edtech #instructionaltechnology #innovation

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Our intrepid panelists have so much to share about what's working in their schools. Don't miss out on a great conversation with these school leaders! #webinar #edchat #secondaryleadership

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When failure happens in higher ed, the go-to reaction is panic. But failing can be empowering when we leverage it properly. Listen to this audiogram to learn why failing fast is suitable for increasing your school's enrollment.

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🌐 Empowering K-12 Education Through Strategic Technology Integration 📚 Navigating today’s educational challenges demands effective technology integration in K-12 districts. At Bluum, we address critical needs—from assessing technology impact to selecting the right tools for enhanced learning outcomes. Our technology assessment offers actionable insights into usage patterns and effectiveness, ensuring investments align with educational goals and budgets. With the summer refresh approaching, districts can benefit from Bluum’s comprehensive services, including professional development, refurbished devices, and grant support. Contact us to discover how Bluum can tailor solutions for your district’s success. 🌟💼 #EdTech #K12Education #TechnologyIntegration

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The EOY is just around the corner! 🎉 📢 K12 Special Education Teachers || Administrators || Instructional Assistants || Specialists With all the hard work poured into this school year, let’s be sure to end well: ✔ Measure outcomes, and ✔Celebrate your students! Wrapping up the 2023-2024 school year with strong data will leave you with a clear picture of the progress your students have made and a great sense of pride in all their accomplishments. And, while success looks differently for all of us, all students deserve to be recognized for their effort. Celebrating student successes, both big and small, can significantly boost classroom morale and a student’s sense of belonging at school. Plus it just feels good! There are a lot of ways to celebrate successes based on the different personalities and interests of the students in your class. Think beyond traditional recognition like honor roll ceremonies and consider all the ways to shout out your students’ efforts: Personalized shout-outs, notes home, and individualized certificates – like this one, which is 1 of 6 available for **free download** in our recent TeachTown blog about measuring outcomes and celebrating student success in the first comment. [ Link to blog in 1st comment ]

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How I beat: “I don’t know where to start with AI in my school” I call it the 'Strategic AI Integration' method for K-12 schools. Each step focuses on: Understanding → builds a strong foundation Planning → provides a clear direction Action → drives measurable results Here’s a practical AI roadmap framework for schools: Start with understanding AI capabilities ↳ (What AI can do for your school) Break down AI capabilities into simple terms for educators. Relate each capability to common educational needs, such as personalized learning, efficient administration, or enhanced student engagement. Identify specific opportunities in your school ↳ (Where AI fits in your context) Identify areas where AI can save time or enhance learning, like automating administrative tasks or providing personalized tutoring. Consider repetitive tasks that could benefit from automation, freeing up teachers to focus on teaching. Align AI with educational objectives ↳ (Make sure it supports your school’s goals) Focus on educational outcomes that matter most, such as improving student performance, reducing dropout rates, or increasing engagement. Prioritize AI projects that have the highest potential impact on students and staff. Design a pilot project ↳ (Test small before going big) Choose a manageable, high-impact use case, like an AI tool for grading or personalized learning software. Set clear metrics for success, such as improved grades or reduced administrative hours, and monitor them closely. De-risk implementation ↳ (Minimize potential pitfalls) Start with AI tools that augment teachers’ abilities, not replace them. Implement ethical guidelines to ensure data privacy and fairness, especially considering student data. Prepare your staff with comprehensive training and maintain clear communication throughout the process. → Methodical enough to see positive changes. → Flexible enough to adapt as you learn more. Try applying this strategy over the next few months and watch how AI can transform learning and administration in your school! Feel free to reach out if you need more guidance or have questions! 😊

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In today's climate, demonstrating the value of higher education is paramount. Higher ed leaders need to tell a compelling story—one that leverages data to show diverse pathways while forging strong partnerships with employers to bridge education and career success. How is your institution defining the ROI of higher education? Today's post was inspired by this Higher Ed Dive article: https://lnkd.in/eQmG2g57

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📱 4 Strategies to Maximize Your District's Tech Investment 📱 Invest in Repairs: Budget for routine maintenance to extend device lifespan and delay replacements. 🛠️ Plan for End-of-Life: Develop recycling and disposal plans early, including partnerships for refurbishment. 📆 Use Student Internships: Engage students in tech repairs to save costs and provide hands-on experience. 💡 Donate or Sell Devices: Recycle or donate replaced devices to support other districts and local communities. 🌍 Optimize your tech investments while promoting sustainability and community support! #EdTech #SchoolTech #DigitalLearning

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K-12 Administrators, Superintendents, Assistant Superintendent s for Curriculum, Director of CTE, What's your biggest obstacle to improving student graduation rates, increasing test scores and maximizing teacher retention? And what resources do you use to help?

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Are you looking for another “ooh, bright, shiny!” EdTech webinar? Than this webinar is NOT for you! Instead, come join us for a conversation about what the meaningful use of EdTech can look like! #EdTech

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