When our community goes digital: reflections on a changing paradigm
Posted May 26, 2020
I travel to carry out research and evaluation studies – and I travel for conferences and workshops. There’s ScienceTalk, NARST, Advancing Research Impacts in Society (ARIS), Public Communication of Science and Technology (PCST), the Science Events Summit, and Visitor Studies Association Conference (VSA). Just to name a few of my favorites. Particularly in… (Read more)
Social-Emotional Learning is paramount during COVID-19
Posted May 11, 2020
Mommy is everything all right–why do you look so sad? Many of you may have heard a child, grandchild, niece or nephew, or friend’s child, say something like this of late. Possibly, you also may have observed your 4-year-old being “clingy” or your 10-year-old having nightmares more frequently than in the past. As adults, sometimes… (Read more)
We’re still learning
Posted May 5, 2020
Our remote team here at the Institute for Learning Innovation was supposed to be gathered in Detroit this weekend for one of our two annual in-person staff retreats – and like so many other events around the world, this too was canceled due to COVID-19. We’ve taken it online and have been doing our best… (Read more)
COVID-19: What your kids REALLY think
Posted Apr 28, 2020
Are we doing a good enough job? Are we meeting the needs of our children? Are they happy? These questions float through the weary heads of parents nightly since the recent public health crisis has us doing double duty – working and facilitating at-home learning experiences for their children. Since we at The Institute for Learning Innovation… (Read more)
There is a Crisis in U.S. Education- but it is NOT because of Covid-19
Posted Apr 20, 2020
These are definitely tough times. The coronavirus pandemic has created a serious public health crisis, a serious economic crisis, and a serious public welfare crisis. However, the education crisis we now perceive was not caused by Covid-19. Currently, newspapers and online platforms are filled with articles describing how terrible it is that children are missing… (Read more)
It’s only been one month! I don’t think I can do this.
Posted Apr 13, 2020
As I was washing the backpack and lunch bag we haven’t needed for the past few weeks – it hit me. My 3rd grader may not be going back to school again. At least not this year. Will he have to do 3rd grade over again when schools re-open in September? Or will they start them… (Read more)
Making family history during COVID-19: What can grandparents do?
Posted Apr 7, 2020
If you are grandparents like my husband John Falk and I, you may be getting extra calls from your grown children, notes from your grandchildren via Messenger Kids and video call opportunities galore. Our kids are worried about whether we are taking the proper safety precautions and managing to shop and eat while staying healthy… (Read more)
Learning is Social (Even during social isolation!)
Posted Mar 31, 2020
I ended the week feeling pretty capable. I felt like maybe I could be a full-time employee working from home while creating learning opportunities for my son at the same time. I did some good work for the Institute for Learning Innovation. I made homemade banana walnut muffins, I taught my 9-year-old son about several… (Read more)
So we’re teachers now?
Posted Mar 23, 2020
That escalated WAY too quickly. Friday afternoon I was staggering into my son’s elementary school weighed down by trays of cookies in honor of his 9th birthday. A few hours later I found myself staring blankly at my husband with the realization that just like that – everything had changed. My home State of NY… (Read more)
Announcing MEL: The Museum Enterprise Leadership Program
Posted Feb 7, 2020
We are very excited to announce that the new Museum Enterprise Leadership (MEL) program has officially been launched! A partnership between the Institute for Learning Innovation and the University of Mary Washington, this 12-month certificate program was developed with FLAME input and specific goals in mind. Whether you aspire to hold a CEO position in… (Read more)
Portal to the Public to receive Enduring Achievement Award from Center for Advancing Research Impact in Society
Posted Jan 28, 2020
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Institute for Learning Innovation’s Portal to the Public will receive the inaugural Enduring Achievement Award from the Center for Advancing Research Impact in Society (ARIS). The award will be presented April 28 at the 2020 ARIS Summit in Durham, North Carolina. The Enduring Achievement Award honors a body of exemplary work… (Read more)