Summer School

Those two dreaded words for many students.  The thought of being trapped inside a school building, remediating on what wasn’t taught or grasped well during the school year, now looms large during days of sunshine, activity and free time. 

Summer vacation, a vested part of our childhood experience however results in a widening achievement gap between students with means and resources for continued learning growth over the summer and those that do not.  How can you motivate someone to learn over the summer when school is traditionally out?

Udacity is a new organization that is starting offer higher education classes for free online.  To kick-start its growth, Udacity is holding a high school competition, offering a free trip to Stanford University for any high schooler that signs up the greatest number of students for their free online courses. 

Education is becoming democratized.  The growth of free online education classes in K-12 such as outfits like Khan Academy or in higher education with new organizations like Udacity enables any student anywhere to learn anytime.  These online offerings are not tethered to school calendars, school schedules, and school budgets or even school buildings.  Learning anywhere, everywhere.  In fact, this summer may be the highest learning growth summer we may have ever had as a nation. 

Summer is here.  School is in.