Take a peek at Acton Academy and you may wonder if you’ve stepped into a mythical world where students are heroes, learning is a quest, and teachers are guides for the journey, EdSurge reports. In this one-room-schoolhouse approach, 36 K-5 students share one space, while 28 6-8th graders share another. The teacher is merely a guide, as students have autonomy in almost every facet of their learning. At Acton, students make the rules over how to spend the time–and what technology to use. This radical model where edtech meets Montessori has proven an effective formula for success. Students gain an average of three grade levels each year in math, reading and language arts. Five years after its start in 2008, this small private academy is looking for partners as it expands beyond Austin’s city limits and spread a model where kids control their learning journey–and the tools they use along the way…
…Read MorePodcast Series: Innovations in Education
Explore the full series of eSchool News podcasts hosted by Kevin Hogan—created to keep you on the cutting edge of innovations in education.