3 reasons to switch to virtual set design
If you’ve attended a professional show or musical recently, chances are you’ve seen virtual set design in action. This approach to stage production has gained so much traction…
design
Why early STEAM education unlocks the future for all learners
When we imagine the future of America’s workforce, we often picture engineers, coders, scientists, and innovators tackling the challenges of tomorrow.
Big Ideas Start Young: Games for Change Opens 2026 Student Challenge to Game Creators and Innovators Ages 10–25
The annual global game design awards $20,000 in grand prizes for creative and impactful games that advance the UN Sustainable ... Read more
Room to grow: Creating a classroom built for success
For decades, curriculum, pedagogy, and technology have evolved to meet the changing needs of students. But in many schools, the classroom environment itself hasn’t kept pace.
Teaching isn’t about perfection, it’s about showing up–here’s how to do that
When I walked into my first classroom almost a decade ago, I had no idea how many “first days” I would experience--and how each one would teach me…
Next gen learning spaces: UDL in action
By embracing Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles in purchasing decisions, school leaders can create learning spaces that not only accommodate students with disabilities but enhance the educational…
I asked students why they go to school–this answer changed how I design campuses
In February of 2023, I was leading a visioning workshop with a group of middle schoolers in Southern California. Their energy was vibrant, their curiosity sharp. We began…
Back-to-school success for all: Building vital classroom skills
As students and teachers prepare for a new school year, it’s important to remember that success in the classroom isn’t just about academics; it’s about supporting the whole child.
26 insights about what back-to-school season has in store
As the back-to-school season begins, educators and students alike are stepping into classrooms that look and feel increasingly different from just a few years ago. Technology is no…
Catapult Learning is Awarded Tutoring Program Design Badge from Stanford University’s National Student Support Accelerator
Organization recognized for excellence in high-impact tutoring design and student achievement gains PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 25, 2025 – Catapult Learning, a division of ... Read more
Is gamification the key to achieving true inclusion in special education?
Key points: For students with special needs, learning can often resemble a trek through dense woods along a narrow, rigid ... Read more
KU researchers publish guidelines to help responsibly implement AI in education
Researchers at the University of Kansas have produced a set of guidelines to help educators from preschool through higher education responsibly implement artificial intelligence in a way that…
4 ways to transform your classroom through playful gamification
Every educator hopes to instill a lifelong love of learning within their students. We strive to make each lesson engaging, while igniting a sense of curiosity, wonder, and…
The power of instructional intent statements in assignment design
In education--and particularly with my graduate students in higher education--students occasionally focus on the individual points of an assignment rubric instead of stepping back and looking holistically at…
Beyond formulas: Embracing complexity in writing instruction
Early in our careers, when we were fresh-faced and idealistic (we still are!) the prepackaged curriculum and the advice of more experienced colleagues was the go-to resource.
ISTE Takeaways—What It Takes To Win the Impact Award
Jean-Claude, one of the recipients of the prestigious 2025 Impact award, highlighted three key ISTE takeaways: co-design in educational technology, ... Read more
5 reasons why game design is the best way to teach STEAM skills
Industries are evolving quickly, and they need workers with strong STEAM skills. But most traditional classrooms aren’t set up to keep pace. Students often aren’t getting the real-world,…
Otus Awarded Practitioner-Informed Design Product Certification from Digital Promise
Chicago (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Otus, the leading K-12 assessment, data, and insights solution, has been awarded the Practitioner-Informed Design product ... Read more
AI in education needs more than innovation–it needs intention
Generative artificial intelligence is everywhere, including our schools--and it has the potential to transform education. These platforms offer unprecedented opportunities to personalize learning, refine curriculum development, and support…
Solving our literacy crisis starts in the lecture hall
The recent NAEP scores have confirmed a sobering truth: Our schools remain in the grips of a literacy crisis. Across the country, too many children are struggling to…
Video game design boosts students’ literacy skills
Teachers generally frown upon students who play video games in class, but a public school in the Bronx has found a way to use video game design as…
One word, meaningful impact: Creating classroom culture through collective dialogue
Having conducted well over a thousand observations of K-12 teachers over the last 10 years, I have noticed there is one piece of feedback I have given more…
What the End of DoED Means for the EdTech Industry
The Fed’s influence over school districts had implications beyond just funding and data. Eliminating The Office of Education Technology (OET) ... Read more
Fighting chronic absenteeism with data-driven insights–and a little fun, too
Chronic absenteeism remains a widespread challenge in schools across the country, but in Wisconsin, Racine Unified School District’s Julian Thomas Elementary and Jerstad-Agerholm Middle School are demonstrating that…
Report: The skills gap needs urgent attention
Inefficient career transitions and related learning gaps are costing the U.S. economy $1.1 trillion annually--a staggering 5 percent of GDP, according to new research from Pearson. The report warns of a…
Whitney Brothers® elevatED™ CollectionReceives Design Journal BEST of 2024 Award
Keene, NH – Acclaimed furniture brand Whitney Brothers® today announced its new elevatED™ Collection of furniture for young learners received ... Read more
Only 27 percent of states plan to sustain K-12 digital access as federal programs end
Only 27 percent of states have plans to sustain K-12 digital access as key federal programs expire, according to a new report from SETDA, the principal association representing…
Using free resources to connect the environment to education
As a National Board-Certified Teacher, I love incorporating media literacy, environmental literacy, and civic engagement into my teaching. I want my students to think critically about how things…
Design thinking in the 21st century is an imperative
Love it or hate it, many teachers have seen just how much technology has changed the landscape of education. Within this rapidly changing landscape, teachers have taken on…
Why California Schools Must Prioritize Student Motivation and Mental Health
Amid learning gaps and absences, California schools face an urgent need to prioritize student motivation and mental health. A ... Read more
The Ultimate District Guide to Teaching Multilingual Learners to Read
This practical 6-step guide is a must-have for K-12 leaders. Ignite Reading CEO Jessica Sliwerski provides actionable tips to ... Read more
Do high-impact tutoring tools actually offer high-impact tutoring?
Although most online tutoring solutions claim to provide high-impact tutoring, less than one-third follow the design principles for identifying high-impact tutoring, according to a new report.
The digital divide still holds students back
Students’ access to technology has improved over time, although it continues to vary across family income categories and racial and ethnic groups, according to a new study released today…
Creating smart campuses to transform student life
Imagine a school where learning isn't confined to the classroom. The curriculum is adaptive in real-time, and technology is used intuitively to ensure every aspect of student life…
ISTELive news: Canva launches Teacher Certification course
In response to global demand from educators, Canva launched its free Teacher Certification course to enhance the skills of its 30 million ... Read more
Putting the ‘E’ in integrative STEM instruction
STEM learning essential, helping students develop skills such as critical thinking and problem solving–skills that will help them be successful ... Read more
How one high school became a Minecraft powerhouse
John Dewey High School senior Jayla Mallette had an unusual request for her teacher after 9 p.m. a few months back. She was so excited about a project…
Why AI in the classroom needs its own ‘doll test’ 70 years post-Brown
As we mark the 70th anniversary of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision, it's worth reflecting on a simple experiment's role in dismantling the doctrine of…
Prioritizing inclusivity in game-based learning
Applying the principles and practices of inclusive design in game-based learning can expand access to rich learning experiences to a neurodiverse group of learners, according to a new…
Friday 5: Universal Design for Learning
In a nutshell, Universal Design for Learning, or UDL, is a framework that urges educators, policymakers, and all education stakeholders to think about teaching and learning in a…