Edchat Interactive

Next week we have two exciting events on Edchat Interactive. On Monday, Edupreneur (and now Superintendent of Englewood, NJ) Robert Kravitz will lead a discussion on involving parents as education partners. And then on Thursday, Kathleen Fritz will lead a discussion on one of the critical components in problem based learning, how do we initiate focus and engagement with driving questions. 

For more information and to register, click here. We will be updating the schedule with even more sessions for October and November.

BMO Back to School Conference

This is where pundits tell investors where to invest in the education market. Looking for the next unicorn investment in education? Ask Rupert Murdoch. But, if you want the real scoop on education investments, read my summary.

McGonical on Games

Highlights from Jane McGonigal's talk on Games and SuperBetter:

• Games trigger activity in the caudate-thalamus and hippocampus regions of the brain. These are the regions for motivation, happiness, and rewards and where learning takes place. Is it any wonder that games provide some of the most absorbing learning activities?
• These are also the regions of the brain that are least activated in depression; gameplay can actually be used to alleviate some forms of depression.
• Research now shows a correlation between game playing and resilience and between game playing and the ability to connect to other people.
• There are now 1.25 billion people playing video games over an hour a week.