In a perfect world, assessments give teachers a precise snapshot of students’ true abilities. But that isn’t always the case—especially for traditional assessments that don’t always engage all students or accommodate different learning needs and preferences. When tests aren’t personalized, students may not perform to their potential. Fortunately, a variety of innovative formative and summative […] The post 3 Innovative Assessment Strategies That Improve Student Outcomes appeared first on TAO ..read more

Online learning is here to stay, and the fact is that  hybrid or virtual learning modalities present a whole new set of challenges to educators. Without the opportunity to interact with one another face to face, students often find themselves distracted and disengaged in virtual environments.  Yet, while the challenges of online learning are unique, […] The post Overcoming the Top 4 Challenges of Online Learning: Solutions for Educators appeared first on TAO ..read more

The students in any given classroom represent a range of learning needs—and students learn best when instruction is tailored to those needs. But while teachers know the one-size-fits-all approach often leaves students behind, time constraints can make meaningful personalization a challenge.  However, with the help of technology, teachers can now gather deeper insights into students’ […] The post Data-Driven Instruction: 4 Techniques for Personalized Teaching appeared first on TAO ..read more

Through various innovative technologies, K-12 education has become more accessible, personalized, and engaging. However, because of digital disparities, these benefits are not consistently available to all learners.   In January 2024, the United States Department of Education (DOE) released new guidelines to ensure that K-12 students have equitable experiences with technology. The 2024 edition of the […] The post A 2024 US National EdTech Policy Recommends Solutions for Tackling Digital Inequities appeared first on TAO ..read more

Digital assessments offer many benefits, such as rich insights into student learning and more time for teachers to focus on students. But educators may feel skeptical about shifting to digital assessments because they present certain challenges. Learning how to use a new platform may seem overwhelming, or teachers may be concerned about the impact on […] The post 4 Common Challenges When Shifting to Digital Assessments—and How to Overcome Them appeared first on TAO ..read more

Multilingual skills are increasingly critical for student success in today’s interconnected world. For that reason, educators need to measure language proficiency as effectively as possible.  While paper-based tests were traditionally the norm for this kind of mass testing, online assessments now offer greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness. However, these digital tools may require a significant investment for access to a platform—as well as teacher training and internal technical support. Therefore, choosing the best online assessment for language proficiency is essential.  This ..read more

Every educator knows what it’s like to think that students understand something, only to discover that many remain confused. That’s why assessments are an essential part of every teacher’s toolkit—but they can be time-intensive to administer and grade. However, a host of digital solutions can now deliver insight into learning progress without eating away at class time. Importantly, educators can use these tools for both formative assessments during units and summative assessments at the end of the semester.  In this article, we explore 3 assessment tools and strategies for the classroom a ..read more

Teachers know that student-centered instruction leads to better outcomes. However, time isn’t always on their side—teachers work an average of 54 hours a week and spend 20-40% of their time on lesson prep, grading, and administrative tasks. They’re also working harder than ever to address literacy gaps and pandemic-related learning losses. Fortunately, artificial intelligence (AI) provides a win-win solution. Teachers can now use this technology to create a wide variety of content within seconds while learning more about their students and how to address their needs.  In this article, we ..read more

Cybersecurity is a pressing concern for digital education. Schools, businesses, and institutions entrusted with safeguarding learning data bear a significant responsibility to ensure its confidentiality, integrity, and availability. But inevitably, as educational technology continues to advance, so do the risks associated with cyber threats and data breaches. From unauthorized access to manipulation of assessment results, the potential consequences of inadequate security measures are far-reaching and can undermine the credibility of digital education practices. If you plan to integrate tools f ..read more

Data from the most recent PIRLS survey (2021) revealed that in 71% of countries surveyed, more children were below minimum reading proficiency in 2021 than in 2016, 8 had no or little change, and only 3 had higher average achievement. This decline underscores the urgency of addressing literacy issues and the learning loss brought on by the pandemic. It also highlights the need for effective, evidence-based reading programs that can help reverse this problem. Teaching students to read proficiently is a cornerstone of education, yet it’s one of the most complex challenges educators face. Each st ..read more