Tom Vander Ark

Seattle

Freelance Contributor at Freelance

Committed to helping others learn and build just and sustainable communities. Latest book: Difference Making at the Heart of Learning https://t.co/dqoUuChM4B

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Articles

Microschools Are Not Just a Trend, They’re A Turning Point

1 week ago | the74million.org | Deborah Gist |Tom Vander Ark |Devin Vodicka

Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter As former superintendents who have led large, complex public school systems and worked closely with hundreds more, we know the tension between urgency and constraint that defines system leadership. We’ve each shouldered the responsibility of ensuring every student is served while navigating community aspirations, political scrutiny, fiscal constraints, and legacy systems.
Opinion: Microschools Are Not Just a Trend, They’re A Turning Point

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Deborah Gist |Tom Vander Ark |Devin Vodicka

As former superintendents who have led large, complex public school systems and worked closely with hundreds more, we know the tension between urgency and constraint that defines system leadership. We’ve each shouldered the responsibility of ensuring every student is served while navigating community aspirations, political scrutiny, fiscal constraints, and legacy systems.
Town Hall: State Education R&D

2 weeks ago | gettingsmart.com | Tom Vander Ark

In our latest Town Hall, Tom Vander Ark, Getting Smart, and Sarah Bishop-Root, Education Reimagined, led a discussion on how state R&D can revolutionize education for the 21st century.
Jamie Merisotis on Human Work in the Age of AI

2 weeks ago | gettingsmart.com | Tom Vander Ark

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Jamie Merisotis, CEO of the Lumina Foundation, about the evolving landscape of work and education in the age of artificial intelligence. As industries rapidly adopt AI technologies, Jamie shares insights on how human work is transforming and the crucial role of credentialing in ensuring economic prosperity.
Michael Fullan and Kaleb Rashad on Leading in a Culture of Change

3 weeks ago | gettingsmart.com | Tom Vander Ark

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark and Dr. Kaleb Rashad engage in a thought-provoking dialogue with Dr. Michael Fullan, an internationally acclaimed advocate for deeper learning. Together, they explore whether deeper learning is the key to addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by the new age of AI. Dr. Fullan introduces the concept of “systemness,” emphasizing the need for systemic change over isolated educational initiatives.
Schools Alive with Transformational Learning

4 weeks ago | gettingsmart.com | Tom Vander Ark

The ISTE+ASCD Transformational Learning Principles are a set of evidence-based practices that highlight the most essential elements of effective learning. Organized in three categories—Nurture, Empower and Guide—the Principles are aligned with Getting Smart Design Principles (accessible, personalized, purposeful, joyful, authentic, challenging) and present a fresh, whole-child and design framework.
Town Hall: Robotics

1 month ago | gettingsmart.com | Tom Vander Ark

In our latest Town Hall, Tom Vander Ark leads a conversation on the transformative role of robotics in K-12 education and its implications for the future workforce. We explore how robotics serves as a catalyst for skill development and personal growth, highlighting insights from experts like Ritch Ramey, Axel Reitzig, and Adam Kulaas, and discussing the importance of developing 21st-century skills such as problem-solving and collaboration.
Kathleen deLaski on Who Needs College Anymore?

1 month ago | gettingsmart.com | Tom Vander Ark

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark is joined by Kathleen deLaski, author of “Who Needs College Anymore?” to explore the ever-evolving landscape of higher education. DeLaski challenges traditional views on college education, delving into how the rise of alternative pathways like apprenticeships and dual enrollment are reshaping post-secondary education.
Reimagining 'Where' Learning Happens: Schools as Community Hubs within a Personalized Ecosystem

1 month ago | gettingsmart.com | Rebecca Midles |Tom Vander Ark

Throughout history, from apprenticeships to field studies, learning has always extended beyond the walls of a classroom. Think about how often we learn outside traditional classrooms now – from looking up DIY fixes online to diving down rabbit holes sparked by a documentary. It makes you wonder: how is this constant quest for information shaping our future, and how are our schools adapting? The traditional classroom often feels disconnected from the vibrant, ever-evolving real world.
Sara Schapiro on Education Research and Development

1 month ago | gettingsmart.com | Tom Vander Ark

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Sara Schapiro, the director of the Alliance for Learning Innovation. Together, they explore the critical need for enhanced research and development (R&D) within the education sector—an area historically underfunded compared to other industries like healthcare.