design Archives

What K-20 leaders should know about building resilient campuses

January 5, 2026 by John Scott Mooring, Mooring USA

From smarter materials to proactive planning, these strategies help create resilient schools that stay open and prepared for what comes next.

When a school building fails, everything it supports comes to a halt. Learning stops. Families scramble. Community stability is shaken. And while fire drills and lockdown procedures prepare…

Digital Learning Tools

3 reasons to switch to virtual set design

November 26, 2025 by Jared Cole, Churchill High School, Livonia Public Schools

Virtual set design offers more than just impressive shows--it provides a cost-effective, flexible, and innovative approach to storytelling.

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…

STEM & STEAM Trends

Why early STEAM education unlocks the future for all learners

November 19, 2025 by Dr. Melanie Johnson, Collaborative for Children

Delaying STEAM education and learning until later grades means we risk leaving behind countless children and narrowing the talent pipeline.

When we imagine the future of America’s workforce, we often picture engineers, coders, scientists, and innovators tackling the challenges of tomorrow.

Newsline

Big Ideas Start Young: Games for Change Opens 2026 Student Challenge to Game Creators and Innovators Ages 10–25

November 13, 2025November 10, 2025 by ESchool News Contributor

The annual global game design awards $20,000 in grand prizes for creative and impactful games that advance the UN Sustainable ... Read more

Classroom Management

Room to grow: Creating a classroom built for success

November 5, 2025 by Dr. Sue Ann Highland, School Specialty

Classroom design can directly benefit student outcomes and success, and can also contribute to teacher well-being.

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 Trends

Teaching isn’t about perfection, it’s about showing up–here’s how to do that

October 14, 2025 by Gelisa Patin, Plaquemine High School

At its heart, teaching and education are about reflecting, leaning on others, and always opening doors for all students.

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…

Universal Design for Learning

Next gen learning spaces: UDL in action

October 13, 2025 by Leslie Stebbins, Research4Ed

Learning spaces and UDL changes can significantly influence student engagement, well-being, and academic achievement.

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…

District Management

I asked students why they go to school–this answer changed how I design campuses

November 7, 2025September 30, 2025 by Enrico Giori, Chalkbeat

Students should be included in shaping the school environments they spend most days in--after all, they're a critical piece.

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…

Teaching Trends

Back-to-school success for all: Building vital classroom skills

September 24, 2025 by Linda Rini, OTD, MS, OTR/L, CLC, Touro University School of Health Sciences Occupational Therapy Program

With occupational therapists integrated into daily classroom activities, student challenges can be addressed early.

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.

Edtech Trends

26 insights about what back-to-school season has in store

September 9, 2025September 8, 2025 by Laura Ascione

This back-to-school season, the conversation is not just about new devices or apps, but about how technology and thoughtful innovation can transform education

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…

Newsline

Catapult Learning is Awarded Tutoring Program Design Badge from Stanford University’s National Student Support Accelerator

August 26, 2025 by ESchool News Contributor

The recent development of large language models like ChatGPT has opened new possibilities for the implementation of computer-based tutors.

Organization recognized for excellence in high-impact tutoring design and student achievement gains PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 25, 2025 – Catapult Learning, a division of ... Read more

Game-Based Learning

Is gamification the key to achieving true inclusion in special education?

August 26, 2025August 25, 2025 by Aditya Prakash, SKIDOS

Gamification can turn classrooms into places where students with diverse needs feel seen, supported, and excited to learn.

Key points: For students with special needs, learning can often resemble a trek through dense woods along a narrow, rigid ... Read more

AI in Education

KU researchers publish guidelines to help responsibly implement AI in education

August 20, 2025 by Mike Krings, the University of Kansas

Educators should commit to learner-centered AI implementation that considers all students at all levels of education and abilities.

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…

Game-Based Learning

4 ways to transform your classroom through playful gamification

August 19, 2025 by Cory Kavanagh, Van Andel Institute for Education

Bringing gamification into the classroom helps engage students.

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…

Teaching Trends

The power of instructional intent statements in assignment design

August 18, 2025 by Steven M. Baule, Ed.D., Ph.D.

Weaving instructional intent statements into assignment design represents a shift toward more transparent, student-centered pedagogy

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…

Literacy

Beyond formulas: Embracing complexity in writing instruction

July 8, 2025 by Brett Stamm, University of Southern Mississippi & Tiffany Larson, University of Central Oklahoma

Through thoughtful design and teaching, students can become flexible and skilled writers able to tackle the challenges of 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.

Live @ ISTE 2025

ISTE Takeaways—What It Takes To Win the Impact Award

July 8, 2025July 3, 2025 by Kevin Hogan

Jean-Claude, one of the recipients of the prestigious 2025 Impact award, highlighted three key ISTE takeaways: co-design in educational technology, ... Read more

Game-Based Learning

5 reasons why game design is the best way to teach STEAM skills

August 28, 2025June 27, 2025 by Mike Kawas, GameU

Through game design, students gain hands-on experience that traditional classrooms often lack--and they build strong 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,…

Newsline

Otus Awarded Practitioner-Informed Design Product Certification from Digital Promise

June 25, 2025 by ESchool News Staff

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

AI in education needs more than innovation–it needs intention

September 4, 2025June 10, 2025 by Sari Factor, Imagine Learning

The future of AI in education will be shaped by the values we embed in the systems we build and the choices we make today.

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…

Literacy

Solving our literacy crisis starts in the lecture hall

May 30, 2025 by Lacey Robinson, UnboundEd & CORE Learning

When it comes to teaching literacy, it’s not enough to just teach teachers about reading theory; they need to know how to teach it, too.

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…

Game-Based Learning

Video game design boosts students’ literacy skills

May 14, 2025 by Ava Wiseley and Dennis Pierce

A video game design pilot project in the Bronx results in 51-percent growth in literacy skills in just three months.

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…

Featured on eSchool News

One word, meaningful impact: Creating classroom culture through collective dialogue

May 5, 2025 by Jacob Shiffrin, Relay Graduate School of Education

Small but powerful language adjustments represent a fundamental mindset shift in how educators approach engagement and classroom culture.

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…

Innovation Insights

What the End of DoED Means for the EdTech Industry

April 17, 2025April 3, 2025 by Kevin Hogan

The Fed’s influence over school districts had implications beyond just funding and data. Eliminating The Office of Education Technology (OET) ... Read more

Profiles in Innovation

Fighting chronic absenteeism with data-driven insights–and a little fun, too

November 7, 2025March 26, 2025 by Laura Ascione

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…

Durable Skills

Report: The skills gap needs urgent attention

March 17, 2025 by ESchool News Staff

Demographic shifts, technological advances, and an unprepared workforce put economies at risk if the skills gap isn't closed.

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

February 28, 2025 by ESchool News Staff

Keene, NH – Acclaimed furniture brand Whitney Brothers® today announced its new elevatED™ Collection of furniture for young learners received ... Read more

DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access)

Only 27 percent of states plan to sustain K-12 digital access as federal programs end

February 19, 2025 by ESchool News Staff

SETDA's digital access report outlines strategies to prevent millions of students from losing internet access and further falling behind.

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…

STEM & STEAM Trends

Using free resources to connect the environment to education

February 26, 2025February 6, 2025 by Merek Chang, Hacienda La Puente Unified School District

Drawing connections between classroom topics and industries through project-based learning better prepares students to think critically.

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…

Durable Skills

Design thinking in the 21st century is an imperative

January 22, 2025 by Gabriel Eisenbacher, Minnewaska Area Schools

Incorporating design thinking into classrooms is not just an educational trend, but a transformative shift educators need to make.

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

March 5, 2025October 31, 2024 by Jeff Festa

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

October 31, 2024 by Jeff Festa

This practical 6-step guide is a must-have for K-12 leaders. Ignite Reading CEO Jessica Sliwerski provides actionable tips to ... Read more

District Management

Do high-impact tutoring tools actually offer high-impact tutoring?

August 13, 2024 by Laura Ascione

Edtech companies should adhere to high-impact tutoring design principles that meet funding criteria, particularly post-covid.

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.

DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access)

The digital divide still holds students back

August 7, 2024 by Laura Ascione

The digital divide persists--access to devices and internet for students with lower family incomes lags that of students with higher incomes.

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…

District Management

Creating smart campuses to transform student life

August 2, 2024 by Erin McDannald, Elevated

The rise of smart campuses represents a substantial shift in how we approach education and student well-being

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…

Live @ ISTE 2024

ISTELive news: Canva launches Teacher Certification course

June 26, 2024 by Laura Ascione

In response to global demand from educators, Canva launched its free Teacher Certification course to enhance the skills of its 30 million ... Read more

Live @ ISTE 2024

Putting the ‘E’ in integrative STEM instruction

June 26, 2024 by Laura Ascione

STEM learning essential, helping students develop skills such as critical thinking and problem solving–skills that will help them be successful ... Read more

Game-Based Learning

How one high school became a Minecraft powerhouse

June 24, 2024 by Alex Zimmerman, Chalkbeat

Minecraft generally does not have set rules or goals--players can use it to tinker, write code, or build a world--even through a school club.

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…

AI in Education

Why AI in the classroom needs its own ‘doll test’ 70 years post-Brown

June 13, 2024 by Priten Shah, Contributing Writer

AI chatbots could become the new face of discrimination in education--they have the potential to exacerbate existing bias.

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…

Game-Based Learning

Prioritizing inclusivity in game-based learning

April 22, 2024 by Laura Ascione

Inclusive design in game-based learning can foster educational experiences that are more flexible, customizable, and meaningful for students.

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…

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