Deeper Learning Digest: Expanding Deeper Learning Opportunities to More Historically Underserved Students
November 01, 2019 11:51 am

What makes deeper learning schools so successful and how are networks scaling their efforts to bring deeper learning opportunities to more historically underserved students?
Today’s digest features a new report on how networks are scaling deeper learning, highlights from the iNACOL symposium, a quiz on the difference between projects and project-based learning, a webinar on deeper learning for students with disabilities, and a special Halloween edition of deeper learning in action!
Scaling Up for Deeper Learning
There are many schools and systems out there bringing deeper learning opportunities to students. But what do networks like Big Picture Learning, The Internationals Network for Public Schools, and New Tech Network have in common that allows them to successfully scale deeper learning practices at schools across the country?
A new report from the Learning Policy Institute sets out to explore this question and dig into how these networks are advancing outcomes especially for historically underserved and marginalized students. The elements of these systems contributed to their success included:
- Intentional design
- Involving the community
- Professional learning
- Leadership development
- A focus on equity
Highlights from iNACOL Symposium
This week, iNACOL (now known as the Aurora Institute), held its annual conference on personalized, competency-based education for administrators, educators, lawmakers and researchers.
The event, themed “Shining a Light on the Future of Learning,” featured education all stars like Pedro Noguera, whose keynote speech focused on practical strategies to promote deeper learning and equity, student panels, and several sessions on science of learning and student development.
Check out photo and video highlights from Twitter below!
“The Equity Imperative is giving students what they need to be successful. The achievement gap is an education manifestation of inequity. That’s what we need to tackle — inequality.” @PedroANoguera #iNACOL19 #Aurora19 @nacol pic.twitter.com/cGfsY5quCG
— XQ (@XQAmerica) October 30, 2019
“There’s no kid that doesn’t want to succeed…any kid can be saved, and we should never give up on a child.” Loving this student panel this morning at @nacol. #aurora19 #iNACOL19 #fcpsinacol #fcpsweseeyou @christiepday @MLRoboskyFCPS @AndreaHand2 @HollyEelman pic.twitter.com/wA8kfOqJ2A
— Lindsey Fisher (@DrFishTeaches) October 30, 2019
Some recurring themes I am hearing at @nacol :the importance of strong relationships between Ss & Tchrs; have high expectations of Ss; ASK students how they learn best; give educators a chance to observe others, to work together & learn from each other. #iNACOL19 #aurora19 pic.twitter.com/dRhGo0VTcW
— Loretta F. Goodwin (@LearningZest) October 30, 2019
Research to practice @iNACOL today with @MrsHumeHoward @AHadwen @KathyWhiteEdu @feliciasullivan -Sharing their journey to embedding work study practices for #deeperlearning #iNACOL19 #aurora19 @jfftweets pic.twitter.com/KLW56fMxaw
— NHLI (@nhlearningin) October 31, 2019
Partnerships drive transformation and multiply opportunities to change the way students learn. @KirstenBaesler leads @NDDPI on a future built on relationships, expanding opportunities, and growth. It’s happening in North Dakota. @nacol @BushFoundation @knowledgeworks pic.twitter.com/QuVMxKrfPE
— Chuck Ambrose (@DrChuckAmbrose) October 29, 2019
The Difference Between “Doing a Project” and Project-Based Learning
What’s the difference between “doing a project” and project-based learning? PBLWorks has a helpful analogy: it’s the main course, not the dessert! They describe “dessert” projects as those that are one-off tasks relating to the topic of the unit. Think diorama, poster presentations, and hand-build models. These may offer a fun or creative challenge that make these projects seem like a “special treat.”
Real project-based learning, on the other hand, is much more like main course of a meal. It “provides the framework for student learning in the unit.” It’s the student response to an important question explored over weeks or longer, and involves applying what they’re learning while collaborating, thinking creatively, and solving problems.
Luckily for you, PBLWorks offers an easy pop quiz to help you figure out the difference between these two approaches to ensure your students have the opportunity for deeper learning.
In Case You Missed It: Deeper Learning for Students with Disabilities
How can each of us —policymakers, practitioners, families, communities, and students—make sure that students with disabilities are being prepared for the realities of today and the challenges, opportunities, and possibilities of tomorrow? In this All4Ed webinar with the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD), panelists, including Linda Darling-Hammond, All4Ed President Deb Delisle, and NCLD President Lindsay Jones, describe the urgency behind including students with disabilities in the vision of 21st-century learning and giving them access to key skills and dispositions like critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, self-advocacy, growth mindsets, and self-determination.
Deeper Learning in Action: Halloween Edition!
Twitter can be a great place to see what’s happening to promote deeper learning outcomes in (and out!) of classrooms across the country. Here are a few examples that have a spooky twist for Halloween. Be sure to follow @DeeperLearning and check out #DeeperLearning for more!
Lots of #deeperlearning going on at Godwin this week! Anatomy/Physiology college prep students making artificial wounds as they study the 4 wound types #gory #halloween pic.twitter.com/cv1tDgYCgC
— Leigh Dunavant (@lrdunavant) October 30, 2019
We applied what we’ve learned about the scientific method to conduct a pumpkin investigation! It was fun exploring the differences! We enjoy being scientists! #LCPS20 #SHMS20 #inquiry #deeperlearning #studentengagement pic.twitter.com/bkjIkwKnf7
— Mrs. Doss at SHMS (@HDossLCPS) October 30, 2019
Pumpkin Week is upon us! I love the engagement I can provide each year through these activities. 🎃 #FishersFirsties #StudentEngagement #DeeperLearning pic.twitter.com/jQMTvQmvKI
— Mrs. Allan (@teacherallan2) October 28, 2019
This is what #deeperlearning looks like. Oh, and it’s fun too! #CTQcollab https://t.co/3GG88aGR0d
— Lori Nazareno, NBCT (@LoriNCTQ) October 31, 2019
The ‘Deeper Learning Digest’ is a bi-weekly roundup of articles, blog posts, and other content around deeper learning. Be sure to follow @deeperlearning on Twitter, @deeper.learning on Instagram, and like Deeper Learning on Facebook to stay up to date on all deeper learning news.
Featured Photo By Allison Shelley/The Verbatim Agency for American Education: Images of Teachers and Students in Action.