Latest News

Balefire Reviews Educational Apps

December 4, 2013

Balfire has produced a web site to help parents and educators make informed decisions when considering the purchase of educational apps. The site strives to be a non-biased and objective source of evidence based information that offers reviews of educational apps that can be searched by subject (Math, Science, English/language arts) as well as by the target age of the app developers (0-3 through 19 up). This can be a useful tool for both the parent and the educator who are confronted with a confusing array of apps purporting to be effective uses of technology in teaching. The reviews examine each program against meeting criteria for effective instructional design.

Criteria include:

  • Feedback for Correct Answers
  • Error Feedback
  • Adapting Difficulty
  • Error Remediation
  • Mastery-Based Instruction
  • Frequent, Meaningful Learner Interaction
  • Clearly-Stated Learning Objective

 


 

Educators Guide for Data Informed Decisions

September 12, 2013

This guide, produced by the REL Pacific is one of ten Regional Education Laboratories established and funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences, offers educators an tool for educators to effectively use data to inform decisions. The guide offers data teams a five step in process for strategic action: setting the stage, examining the data, understanding the findings, developing an action plan, and monitoring progress and measuring success.

http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/pacific/pdf/REL_2013001.pdf

 


 

Graduate Research Grant 2013 RFP

May 14, 2013

The Wing Institute is launching a new initiative to provide funding for graduate students who are interested in doing research in the area of evidence-based education. Read More…

 


 

Opinion Piece on Math Instruction

December 17, 2012

Mathematics Education: Being Outwitted by Stupidity is a thoughtful discussion of current strategies and practices used for teaching mathematics. In an opinion piece the author, Barry Garelick, examines possible causes for the disappointing Read More…

 


 

Issues Relating to Value-Added Modeling

October 31, 2012

A special meeting of researchers and experts in the field of value-added modeling (VAM) was held in August 2012 sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). The purpose of the Read More…

 


 

Science as Evidence in Public Policy

October 31, 2012

Using Science as Evidence in Public Policy is a report published by the National Academies Press. Although written for researchers, the papers is important for anyone involved in making public policy. The paper identifies reasons why Read More…

 


 

The State of Teacher Preparation

October 26, 2012

The Wing Institute has published the proceedings from the 5th Summit:  Education at the Crossroads: The State of Teacher Preparation looks at the important role teachers play in building quality education services. The book Read More…

 


 

Food for Thought Talks on Education Practices

August 22, 2012

If you have a few moments and want to watch stimulating discussions on topics in education, visit a web site created for Daniel Willingham, Professor of Psychology at the University of Virginia. The site offers seven video presentations: Brain-based Education: Fad or Breakthrough, Learning Styles Don’t Exist, Teaching Content Is Teaching Reading, Merit Pay, Teacher Pay, and Value-added Measures, Multi-tasking, and Teaching as an Art or a Science?

Dr. Willingham’s early work focused on the basis of the brain on learning and memory. His current research is centered on the application of cognitive psychology to K-12 education.

http://www.danielwillingham.com/videos.html