The Next Frontier in Online Education Isn’t What You’d Expect

For anyone who wants to learn in their living room, but doesn’t want to sign up for a whole semester of online classes, video workshops may be the answer. San Francisco-based CreativeLive, for example, broadcasts live educational workshops taught by experts, for free. There are classes in subjects like photography, interior design, scrapbooking, music production and marketing. The seminars are instructive, but they won’t pass for rigorous coursework. Think of it “more as a replacement for enrichment classes at a community college than high-level classes at a university,” writes Fast Company‘s Ariel Schwartz.
CreativeLive has more than 500 classes in its collection and more than 2 million viewers. Now it’s going bigger: the company will launch five separate round-the-clock channels broadcasting both live and repeat programming, just like a TV network — only better because there won’t be any commercials. The move lets CreativeLive tailor its content to specific audiences (like say, in China) or by season (more wedding planning classes in the spring). The idea isn’t unique, but judging from investor interest in companies like CreativeLive, it’s growing fast.

How an Internet Connection Revolutionized Music Class for Students in Rural Minnesota

An online project is connecting rural Minnesota schools’ bands and orchestras with the state’s oldest music education institution. Professional musicians from the nonprofit MacPhail Center for Music teach low-income students via video instruction. Through the partnership, small-town students get access to amazing learning opportunities that their schools don’t have other ways to offer. The project started in 2011 with one school, and has now expanded to 17 districts and 1,500 students. Teachers at the rural schools feel more supported, and say that the project gives student access to professionals who would normally only be able to provide lessons and instruction to students living in a city.

Why Minecraft is the Learning Tool of the Future

Minecraft is a game that allows students to complete adventures, build worlds, talk to their friends and learn about digital citizenship. And while schools don’t usually have trouble getting kids interested in video games, they are finding it challenging to teach students about internet ethics and online safety at an early-enough age. But Minecraft is a great tool to teach digital citizenship, and enables students to learn about communication, collaboration and critical thinking. Check out this video to learn about the game and how teachers are using it.

The Future of Special Ed Isn’t Just in the Classroom

The most promising models for effective special education are in part on the web. Experts say students with special needs require instruction that’s individualized in pacing, methodology, presentation, and curriculum, and they benefit from the dynamic interface and immediate feedback of online learning platforms. Hybrid learning models, combining classroom and digital experiences, are creating promising collaborations among teachers, psychologists, therapists and parents to deliver better, more responsive special education.