Adding Student Perception to the Data Mix
Data, data, data. In the digital age, the world’s most valuable resource is data – a trend that schools have undoubtedly picked up on. Educators use data to help identify which students need extra support via frameworks such as Response to...
Innovation & Response to Intervention (RTI) – The Role of Student Centric Data
In a classroom of students with diverse backgrounds, personalities, and learning preferences, a one-size-fits-all approach to teaching is bound to leave some students falling behind. At the same time, educators are given learning standards (such as...
Rethinking the 21st Century Learner
We have all heard that schools need to promote “21st century skills” and “21st century learning” among their students. They need to prepare their students to become dynamic leaders to tackle the unique challenges of a globalized, diverse society....
Self-Awareness and Academic Success
Self-awareness is a valuable trait for many reasons. Whether it be a middle school student or the CEO of a large company, self-awareness: Increases our proactivity, acceptance, and self-development Helps us practice self-control and boosts...
The Importance of Inclusive Learning & The Role of Technology
Inclusive learning is the practice of developing learning environments and teaching approaches that ensure all children are included, engaged, and supported. While this concept may sound simple, it can be incredibly difficult to implement given how...
4 Side Effects of Not Teaching Time Management and Organization
What is time management and organization? Time management and organization are two key skills that enable students to thrive in academic and social situations. Where organization is the ability to efficiently arrange time, resources, and energy in...
Start Off the School Year Right with New Study Habits
The beginning of the school year is the perfect time to start forming better study habits. Forming new habits might seem daunting, but these tips and guidelines make the process much smoother: How to Think About Self-Improvement & New Habits...
Back to School: 6 Apps to Help You Succeed This Year
With so many tools and programs to aid students and educators, it can be difficult to choose the products that best enhance student experience. Especially for students that struggle in school and need additional support and guidance around...
Edtech and Ethics: A Conversation with Professor Maggie Little
Ethics plays an important role not only in edtech’s development, but also in its deployment. We had the opportunity to connect with Professor Maggie Little, Director of Ethics Lab at Georgetown University, to discuss important edtech ethical...
Federal Funding and Viinko: What You Should Know
With federal funding, you can provide the structure your students need: Viinko is here to help your students learn smarter. Overview of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) In March 2021, the federal government allocated $123 billion for K-12...
Essential Executive Function Micro-Skills For Students
Task management What is task management? Task management is the ability to handle multiple tasks by addressing each one individually. This micro-skill gives students the ability to think critically about a task's relevance and estimated completion...
The Importance of Ethicality & Accessibility in EdTech: An Interview with Jasmine Sun
Innovations in EdTech are exciting, but the merit of a new product is intricately tied to its ethicality and accessibility. In recent years, an increasing number of young professionals have entered the EdTech industry. Their fresh perspectives on...
Intrinsic Motivation in Education
Motivating students to engage in meaningful learning activities is often difficult, especially during the pandemic, when classes lack the connection that in-person learning offers. Many educators employ a carrot and stick approach that rewards...
Standards Based Learning & Executive Functioning
What is standards based learning? Standards based learning is a system which sets standards for specific learning behaviors and skill sets, emphasizing the development of higher cognitive behavior rather than performance on tasks, such as...
Executive Functioning & Viinko
When I began working on Viinko my first stop was research. I spoke with dozens of people and read hundreds of articles to better understand both the problem I had identified and the solutions I thought might help. One thing I quickly discovered was...
Information Overload – Impact on Students
The rise in technology has improved quality of life for most of us markedly. The list of improvements is vast and varied - transportation, information, medical capabilities, etc. But every improvement has its pitfalls and technology is no...
Parents and Teachers – Closing the Gap
63% of families in the U.S. are dual income homes – a number that has steadily increased over the past few decades. Dual income households carry many benefits including extra cash flow, stronger savings, and higher levels of personal satisfaction...
Organization vs. Procrastination
Sometimes, a picture is worth 1,000 words. So rather than saying what organization versus procrastination looks and feels like, we thought we’d show it: Let's see what the PROCRASTINATE route has in store: You’re in class and your teacher hands out...
How Organizing Reduced My Anxiety
I want to caveat this post by noting that everyone is different and the ways in which we cope with stress and anxiety vary greatly. For me, organizing and exercise have been too great tools to overcome stress, but those may not be the tools for you...
The Story of Viinko – Our Founding
As the eldest of four children I have always been a typical “first child.” Read any blog on oldest-child syndrome and it will pretty much outline my best, and worst, personality traits. Over-achiever, studious, bossy, perfectionist. When I got a...