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Abstract The purpose of this study was to describe the barriers and challenges school leaders face as they implement a standards-based grading (SBG) system.  The researchers used a multiple case study methodology to investigate how key school leaders described their implementation journey at three schools that differed in size, demographics, and location.  Purposeful sampling was used to identify key administrators at three different schools who were in the process of implementing a SBG system.  Data were collected primarily via semi-structured interviews.  In the analysis, researchers used three phases: horizontalization, thematizing, and textural-structural synthesis.  Each of the three schools had very different implementation stories.  Barriers in the process included: student information and grading systems, parents/community members, the tradition of grading and fear of the unknown, and the implementation dip.  This study suggests that implementation of SBG must be purposeful and well communicated.  That is, in order to enhance the likelihood of success, an intentional plan with a reasonable timeline, ongoing professional development and collaboration, and effective two-way communication about the purpose of grading is needed.  Also maintaining A-through-F final grades-even as they simultaneously implement more progressive assessment and reporting strategies-is often seen as a necessary concession.  Finally, the authors explicate SBG's relationship to competency-based education and professional learning communities (PLCs).

Makes connections between topics. Ultimately it is a book store, but it might be incredibly useful in research to expand thinking on different topics. It has a wealth of videos (free) but it is the connections it draws between topics that is so fascinating.

Technology, used well, is great for learners, despite the shock journalism that tries to scare us.  Responsible adults guiding young folks is always the key.  Here's a list of research to back that up.

This is a great tool for getting started with genealogy research.

This is one of our stops during the Australia trip.  New technologies enable museums to create learning experiences for teenagers where they can authentically research, create, communicate and collaborate. Museum Victoria is using 21st century communication technologies to support students to investigate the past, both online and onsite. This session will outline how two programs developed by Museum Victoria, Making History and 600 million years in 60 seconds, are transforming museum learning for 21st century learners. The new programs enable teenagers to collaborate with their peers, communicate their ideas, create new digital media and make sense of the world around them. 600 million years in 60 seconds is an onsite education program at Melbourne Museum where exhibition objects are the learning focus and ICT tools are used by students to communicate their understanding of key concepts. Making History is an online resource where experts share historical knowledge and experience as well as an online gallery that can host student generated digital histories.

"Here is a new video from EDUCAUSE with four experts and me addressing the question, "Why is measuring learning difficult?" Some good reflections on learning analytics, data, MOOCs, testing, pyschometrics, and more. I think the video has a nice balance of humility and optimism. Learning is much more complex than we can ever really pin down, but that doesn't mean that we can conduct meaningful assessments that lets students and mentors identify their learning experiences as, as Gardner Campbell says, find new doorways forward. "

Read chapters 3 and 4 for 8th grade targets and recommendations.

INsturct and CONstruct are both crucial to the flipped classroom....or any other!

 "We need thinkers, not rememberers."