5 K-12 administrators to watch in 2019

Education Dive | January 15, 2019

Running a school, let alone an entire district, is no walk in the park. You're essentially accountable for guiding the effective preparation of your community's entire next generation for success in life, civic engagement and the workplace. It's a role that ultimately has one of the largest impacts on both the civic and economic success of your community or those your students move onto beyond high school.While there's no shortage of district and school leaders taking on that challenge, the five represented here are tackling a spectrum of issues that are top of mind in the field — from restoring public trust in the wake of scandal to recovering from a disaster to tackling school segregation to improving climate and culture. If you're wondering who to keep an eye on in the new year, this group is a great place to start.

Spotlight

Grade 4 students examine energy by using models of electrical systems to analyze patterns that demonstrate that energy moves and changes. And in a middle school science class, students make a model to simulate an earthquake, gather data on its effects on land and human-built structures, and then analyze the data to inform the design of earthquake-resistant buildings.

Spotlight

Grade 4 students examine energy by using models of electrical systems to analyze patterns that demonstrate that energy moves and changes. And in a middle school science class, students make a model to simulate an earthquake, gather data on its effects on land and human-built structures, and then analyze the data to inform the design of earthquake-resistant buildings.

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ONLINE EDUCATION

Interplay Learning Partners Warren Central High School

Interplay Learning | February 22, 2023

On February 21, 2023, Interplay Learning, a solution for virtual reality and online training of the actual skilled trades, announced its partnership with Warren Central High School (WCHS) to offer advanced learning opportunities for ninth-grade students through the school's technical education system. It would assist the school's career technical education (CTE) academy program and put fast-track students' hands-on introduction to successful careers in the construction industry. Through the partnership, it would engage ninth-grade students for the WCHS Architecture, Construction, Mechatronics and Engineering (ACME) Academy with the immersive experience of its 3D virtual-reality simulations and the training content before the actual start of the complete construction CTE program. The WCHS's official CTE programs are conducted at an offsite technical education center for students in the tenth grade and above. In addition, WCHS is allowed to share awarded funds with its virtual reality simulations for students as a part of a district-level initiative to upgrade educational infrastructure in Vicksburg. Coach in WCHS's ACME Academy, Traci Esparza, said, "With Interplay Learning's advanced, engaging platform and content, we can introduce younger students to sophisticated training simulations a year before they enter the official CTE program." She added, "That experience means they can get more out of the ACME program immediately and throughout their education. Before implementing Interplay Learning's VR technology, younger students had limited opportunities for the hands-on experience that is so critical to CTE and skilled trades learning." (Source – Cision PR Newswire) Founder and CEO of Interplay Learning, Doug Donovan, said, "Interplay is committed to helping educational institutions transform the training landscape for the skilled trades industries." He added, "With our innovative training platform, the instructors and leaders at Warren Central High School can equip students with valuable experience and skills that will help them build meaningful careers and will also help business owners in Vicksburg and the surrounding area meet the evolving workforce challenges of the 21st century." (Source – Cision PR Newswire) About Interplay Learning Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Interplay Learning, an e-learning services provider, has been delivering effective digital learning simulations in the HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, Solar and Facilities Maintenance industries since 2016. In addition, it offers solutions for professional training, 3D simulations, virtual reality, skilled Trades, 3D sims, HVAC team training and learning, solar team training, HVACR, immersive education, and facility maintenance training. It recreates life-like VR scenarios for skilled trades workers to learn in an engaging environment. Its Comersive Learning solution offers courses from beginner to master level and trains massive workers in a short time.

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EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY

Interplay Learning Launches Technology-based Apprenticeship Program

Interplay Learning | February 16, 2023

On February 15, 2023, Interplay Learning, e-learning solutions provider for online and virtual training, launched a technology-based apprenticeship program with the Department of Labor's approval. This program solves the growing labor shortage and encourages employers in the skilled trades to join. This program allows employers to enroll as participating employers in the Department of Labor's Apprenticeship Program of Interplay Learning. It will create a trained workforce, increase employee retention, and eliminate traditional managemental complexities of formal apprenticeship programs. Employers can offer apprentices on-the-job training (OJT) with Interplay's digital training in a virtual classroom with technical instructions as a part of the program. The apprentices will have an impactful training experience with its video courses and 3D simulations. In addition, they will learn about new skills, effective troubleshooting, and practice in a virtual safe environment on any device like a laptop, desktop, tablet, or virtual reality headset. Founder and CEO of Interplay Learning, Doug Donovan, said, "We're thrilled to introduce our innovative, tech-forward approach to apprenticeship." He added, "With one of the first digital and off-the-shelf solutions for apprenticeships, we seek to eliminate the pain points existing today for employers, while also providing them with a powerful training solution to address the skills gap problem in the U.S. What has traditionally been complex and especially daunting for small and medium businesses, we have streamlined the process to set up an apprenticeship program and given contractors a tool to build a better-trained workforce." (Source – Cision PR Newswire) About Interplay Learning Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Interplay Learning, an e-learning provider, has been offering digital learning simulations for training, career opportunities and life experiences of customers and employees, across industries like plumbing, electrical, solar and facilities maintenance, and HVAC, since 2016. Its virtual reality interfaces engage skilled trades workers with life-like experiences, making them more confident, professional, and efficient quickly. It provides learning solutions from beginner to mastery level at the same time. It was awarded the AL Breakthrough Award for Best Use of Virtual Reality for Enterprise Applications, AHR Expo – Innovations Awards 2020 and named in the 2020 Inc. Best in Business list.

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ONLINE EDUCATION

ISS Hosts Virtual Workshop for K12 Educators on ChatGPT

International Schools Services | February 20, 2023

ISS, International Schools Services, has recently announced that it will be hosting an additional 90-minutes virtual workshop for K12 educators on ChatGPT. This workshop will help educators understand the implications of generative artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT in academics. ChatGPT is an AI tool having the capability to generate content which is quite like that of human creation. It gives direct implications for educational instructions, assessments, and assignments. Through the workshop, ISS would encourage educators to learn how this technology can transform learners' personalized learning experiences and explore its ethical use in the educational field. ISS offered virtual professional development during the pandemic, supporting classroom educators with online learning. In addition, its single sessions and ISS EDUlearTM passport subscription connected educators, school leaders, and professional staff. President of ISS, Liz Duffy, said, "The response to our events has been overwhelming. ISS is committed to helping K12 educators worldwide deliver the best education possible, especially when circumstances shift. ChatGPT and other AI tools aren't a fad. They have the potential to dramatically change what happens in the classroom—and that change is already beginning. Our session will help educators identify, use, and prepare for this disruption." (Source – Cision PR Newswire) "With Microsoft, Baidu, and Google now entering the Generative AI race, we're about to witness the rapid evolution of these technologies in real-time. We need to remain on the cutting edge of these innovative learning tools and their myriad of applications in education", said John Burns, Chief Innovation Officer of ISS. (Source – Cision PR Newswire) About ISS Headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey, ISS, a non-profitable educational organization, has worked with international schools and educators since 1955. It offers more student-centric services, operating future-oriented schools, providing professional learning opportunities, sourcing school supplies and administrating school foundations, and promoting innovation. It has supported job-seeking educators and administrators, launched and managed international schools, provided school supplies, developed virtual and in-person learning programs for leaders and educators, and offered accounting and nonprofit board management. It currently operates around 20 international schools worldwide.

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