Why do we award grades? Do they improve learning? Research shows that while grades may boost short-term outcomes on standardized tests, they fall short in helping students retain information, think critically, and apply their knowledge. A more effective approach is feedback and critique, which enhances learning outcomes and fosters student cooperation, trust, and intrinsic motivation. In a new Getting Smart Blog, Kyle Wagner explores the transformative power of going gradeless, highlighting case studies from educators like Gary Heidt of Nova Lab and institutions such as VIS Better Lab School in Taiwan and High Tech High in San Diego. These educators have replaced traditional grading with ongoing feedback, narrative comments, and peer review, creating dynamic learning environments where students take ownership of their learning and demonstrate significant growth. Discover how these innovative approaches can be implemented in your classroom and join the movement toward more meaningful assessments: https://lnkd.in/gh443P3m #GettingSmart #GettingSmartBlog #EducationInnovation #FeedbackOverGrades #StudentCenteredLearning #FutureOfEducation
Getting Smart
Education
Getting Smart supports innovations in learning, education & technology.
About us
Getting Smart® is a learning design firm passionate about advocating on behalf of, accelerating and amplifying innovations in learning. Our Advisory team provides coaching, implementation support, strategy and design solutions for a network of impact-oriented partners that help people and organizations learn, grow and innovate. Getting Smart Collective, uses GettingSmart.com and additional Getting Smart platforms to advocate and amplify innovations in learning across the country as well as the work we do with partners emphasizing storytelling, scale and landscape views of what’s next in K-12, early, post-secondary education and lifelong learning. With experience as educators, school administrators, business executives and nonprofit leaders, our team has extensive expertise in teaching and learning, education leadership, organization management, communication, marketing and sales. This unique combination of experience, passion, knowledge and relationships drives our work and allows us to design personalized engagements and stories for each of our partners.
- Website
-
http://gettingsmart.com/
External link for Getting Smart
- Industry
- Education
- Company size
- 11-50 employees
- Type
- Partnership
- Founded
- 2008
- Specialties
- consulting, business strategy, strategic planning, market research, content creation, Storytelling, Podcasts, Advocacy, facilitation, and keynoting and speaking
Employees at Getting Smart
-
Jean Liu
Experienced senior leader and passionate advocate for K12 education transformation
-
Alesha Bishop
Innovative Education Professional
-
Caroline Vander Ark
CEO of Getting Smart Collective a non-profit focused on innovations in learning
-
Nate McClennen
Vice President of Strategy and Innovation, Getting Smart
Updates
-
Have you and your team established your professional learning goals? With the dawn of a new academic year, educators must set their sights on growth and development. Are you prepared to enhance your teaching strategies and elevate learning experiences inside and outside the classroom? Now is the perfect time to reflect, set ambitious goals, and ensure a successful year for both you and your students. To help you achieve these goals, Getting Smart offers personalized keynotes, webinars, workshops, and panel facilitation designed to empower educators and leaders. With thought leaders like Tom Vander Ark, Rebecca Midles, Rashawn Peterson-Caruthers, Ed. S, Nate McClennen, and Victoria Andrews, we guarantee your team will receive the most relevant and impactful learning experiences. Our expert team covers topics such as education and AI, leadership, learner experience, learning models, credentialing, career pathways, building a learning culture, new school development, futures, and storytelling. Our team is ready to deliver personalized learning experiences that cater to your specific needs Invest in your team’s growth with Getting Smart: https://lnkd.in/geUC6FXU #GettingSmart #ProfessionalLearning #Leadership #LearnerExperience #LearningModels #Credentialing #AIinEducation #NewPathways
-
-
A new school year means a new opportunity to strategize about what’s next in learning and how to prepare learners for future skills, literacies, and opportunities. Join us on August 29, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. PT for an insightful Getting Smart Town Hall where leaders Wes Kriesel from Orange County Department of Education, Jerry Almendarez, and Bianca Barquin from Santa Ana Unified School District will share their novel approaches to AI adoption and implementation. Discover how AI supports personalized learning, improves student engagement, and aids in making data-driven decisions. This is your chance to learn from experienced educators and administrators about the future of education and connect with peers dedicated to innovation. Secure your spot to discover innovative AI strategies from education leaders: https://lnkd.in/g9TQfCFH #GettingSmart #GettingSmartTownHall #BackToSchool #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #EdTech #AIinEducation #Innovation #EducationLeadership
This content isn’t available here
Access this content and more in the LinkedIn app
-
In the latest episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Mason Pashia was joined by Todd Smith, CEO of Symphony Workforce, and Stacey Ocander, Senior Director of Workforce and Education Initiatives at Nebraska Hospital Association, to tackle the healthcare workforce crisis in Nebraska. Stacey shares her innovative statewide curriculum for grades 3-5, introducing students to healthcare professions through active learning and partnerships with local hospitals and nursing homes. This program aims to spark early interest in healthcare careers and create a seamless educational pathway from elementary school through undergrad. Hands-on experiences like buckle swabs and examining cells under a microscope make healthcare professions accessible and engaging. Todd and Stacey discuss bridging the gap between education and healthcare, emphasizing experiential learning and technology. Their partnership has led to summer camps, industry challenges on the Find the Why platform, and a hybrid internship model for high school students. These initiatives provide students with relevant certifications and skills, helping them build a digital resume accessible to potential employers. This episode highlights the importance of early career exploration, continuous support, and scalable solutions in creating a robust healthcare workforce pipeline. Tune in to gain insights into how innovative education strategies can address workforce shortages and promote economic stability: https://lnkd.in/gFmgduAR #GettingSmart #GettingSmartPodcast #GSPodcast #NewPathways #HealthcarePathways #HealthcareEducation #WorkforceDevelopment #Innovation #Education #Leadership
-
As summer wanes, have you had the luxury to dedicate yourself entirely to a single task? A new Getting Smart Blog by Matthew Piercy shares his extraordinary experience of climbing to the roof of the African continent. His journey was filled with lessons in the power of song, teamwork, and the importance of listening to leadership, but the most enduring lesson was the beauty of simplicity. Piercy recounts the 8-day trek up Kilimanjaro, where he and his team navigated five distinct climatic zones. Despite the challenges, their mantra, "One team, one dream: To the top, non-stop," and the uplifting sounds of "Jambo Bwana" kept their spirits high. He reflects on how simplicity, teamwork, and listening to experienced leaders are crucial, not just in mountaineering but also in education. Could bringing a little song, unity, and simplicity into our classrooms make a difference? Explore the journey: https://lnkd.in/g_WsGiq2 #GettingSmart #GettingSmartBlog #Teamwork #Leadership #Education #Simplicity #Kilimanjaro
-
-
Another INCREDIBLE Town Hall featuring amazing facilitators, an amazing audience, and turbo-charged chat. We deeply appreciate the incredible participation and insights shared during our recent Town Hall on Futures Thinking in Education. A huge thank you to Ariel Raz and Sara Skvirsky for their time, expertise, and the engaging activities they led. Your contributions made this event truly impactful. The Town Hall covered strategic foresight, scenario planning, and the role of innovative leadership in adapting to technological, climatic, and social changes. Raz from The Stanford d.school shared practical approaches to cultivate empathy for the future of education, while Skvirsky from the Institute for the Future discussed strategic foresight as a tool for informed decision-making for edleaders. Participants engaged in lively activities and discussions about creating flexible, adaptable learning environments. Experience the insights: https://lnkd.in/g9CJmJtY Help us spread these valuable insights by sharing this post with your network and let's drive the conversation forward together. Stay tuned for information on our upcoming Town Hall soon! #GettingSmart #GettingSmartTownHall #EducationInnovation #FuturesThinking #EdLeadership #CommunityLearning
-
Getting Smart Collective Board of Directors member Byron K. Sanders from Big Thought contributed to an impactful new book "Built for More: The Role of OST in Preparing Youth for the Future of Work." This volume, part of the Current Issues in Out-of-School Time (OST) series, highlights the transformative power of out-of-school time programs in preparing youth for the future workforce. Dive into insights and strategies that address systemic inequities and empower youth to thrive: https://lnkd.in/e7YbZBf4 #BuiltForMore #OutOfSchoolTime #OST #FutureWorkforce
We’re thrilled to share that “Built for More: The Role of OST in Preparing Youth for the Future of Work,” the latest volume in the Current Issues in Out-of-School Time series, is now available! In it, we have a chapter, co-written by Emily Wegner and Fernande Raine, entitled "Leveraging your Community as a Civic Classroom", describing how hands-on real world learning in a community can develop the competencies youth need to thrive. Co-edited by Big Thought's Byron K. Sanders and Shannon Epner, MPAP, this book showcases the transformative power of out-of-school time (OST) programs, highlighting their role in the #learning and development of #youngpeople. It’s been an honor to add our voice and stories about civic pathways to this compilation of insights on what supports youth thriving. Get your copy today! https://lnkd.in/e7YbZBf4 #edchat
-
-
How can New Pathways drive equity and opportunity, ensuring that every student is prepared for success in the future? Let's pave the way together! Join Getting Smart, Real World Learning, funded by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, and American Student Assistance (ASA), for an inspiring event where we'll gather, design, and explore the transformative power of real-world learning. Explore key learnings and successful implementation strategies of the Real World Learning initiative in the Kansas City region, and align innovative New Pathways with these real-world experiences. Don't miss this chance to explore regional approaches firsthand through site visits and design workshops. Mark your calendars for September 17-19 in Kansas City, and be part of this important gathering of education leaders! Together, let's illuminate New Pathways to Real World Learning Experiences and shape the future of education: https://lnkd.in/gBKpZcpA We look forward to seeing you in Kansas City! #NewPathways #RealWorldLearning #EquityInEducation #EducationLeadership
-
-
In the latest Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark sits down with Conrad Wolfram, CEO of Wolfram Research and author of "The Math Fix," to explore the evolving role of computational thinking in education. They discuss how the surge in computational power and AI can revolutionize math education by shifting the focus from manual calculations to real-world problem-solving. Conrad shares compelling insights on integrating computational tools into the curriculum, emphasizing the need to prepare students for complex problem-solving using AI and natural language interfaces. They explore the challenges and opportunities in updating math education to reflect these advancements, aiming to equip students with skills relevant to today’s tech-driven world. Ready to transform math education? Tune in to discover how computational thinking can empower students and reshape the future of learning: https://lnkd.in/gWiNBk8d #GettingSmart #GettingSmartPodcast #MathEducation #AI #ComputationalThinking #EdTech
-
-
Over the past few years, Getting Smart has been deeply engaged with the New Pathways framework, which empowers school leaders and communities to build systems that set students up for future success. Whether it's career exploration, client-connected projects, internships, or entrepreneurial experiences, the goal remains the same: connect learners to real-world opportunities and help them articulate the skills they've acquired. Mason Pashia's recent conversation with Cynthia Finley, Ph.D, Vice President of Workforce Strategy at the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), highlighted the growing importance of green jobs. Cynthia shared her career journey and insights into how IREC is expanding awareness and access to green pathways. From developing career maps and micro-credentials to launching initiatives like the Solar Ready Vets program, IREC is making significant strides in preparing the future workforce for clean energy careers. These efforts align perfectly with the New Pathways framework, emphasizing the need for flexible and dynamic learning experiences that connect students to in-demand industries. Let's work together to build a sustainable and prosperous future for our students: https://lnkd.in/g3VRyXYx #GettingSmart #GettingSmartBlog #NewPathways #GreenJobs #CareerExploration #WorkforceDevelopment #CleanEnergy #EducationInnovation
-