By Nick Jones, CEI Intern Much of the conversation on teaching relies on the observation of educators and administrators ‘“ those leading instruction, not the students. Students may answer surveys every so often and parent-teacher conferences help keep parents in the loop, but how would teachers change their instruction if they taught from the perspective of their students. One teacher did just that. Alexis Wiggins, an IB teacher working in the Middle East shadowed two high s

By Nick Jones, CEI Intern In a recent Washington Post opinion piece by Arne Duncan, the Secretary of Education calls for a balanced approach to 21st education reform, in particular, the ever so controversial notion of standardized testing. Duncan’s article serves as a snapshot of the many elements affecting student achievement in the United States. Teaching for the test. A good portion of Duncan’s article discusses the overzealous nature of standardized testing. After the ena

By Nick Jones, CEI Intern There are thousands of fitness and health videos for adults and now, thanks to the team at Kids’ Wellness Alliance (KWA), children have access to age-appropriate resources as well. It’s no secret that health and productivity positively correlate. The healthier one is, the more productive they will be. This is the mission of KWA’s Yoga Dogâ„¢, a ’22-minute “edutainment” video program targeting the imaginations, emotions, and mobility of children every

By Nick Jones, CEI Intern Last month, the CEI team of Dr. Chris Mason, Liz Parry, and Sue Mullane visited Chesterfield Academy to offer solutions on how to integrate engaging STEM learning moments in curriculum. There, teachers fossilized seashells, constructed a tower of index cards, and launched paper-and-straw rockets ‘“ all in the name of science. Chesterfield Academy represents the growing trend in institutions focusing on STEAM learning (science, technology, applied art