The pandemic unquestionably challenged the education world during 2020. In spite of the difficulties, however, there are reasons to be optimistic. Around the world, educators are gathering the tools, attitudes, and evidence needed to bring about long-needed education reforms, at a faster pace. The Yidan Prize Foundation is focused on the big ideas…

We celebrate the worthy efforts of creative educators working to reach marginalized children around the world, including children living in refugee camps.

When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down schools in 2020, the effect on rural areas was significant. Access to the internet in rural areas is limited and cost prohibitive. This article discusses why we must find ways to ensure education delivery in urban and rural areas. Unfortunately, many school systems in developing countries lack the expertise and…

While the COVID-19 vaccines bring hope about the end of pandemic-related closures, leaders worldwide recognize that a fundamental shift has occurred in the way we work, live, and learn. Though we will always need brick-and-mortar schools, our "new normal" must include hybrid and virtual education options for students who do not have…

Young people in East and Southern Africa need greater access to reliable information about health and education in order to make informed decisions on health matters--focusing on HIV and teenage pregnancy--and to increase basic education outcomes. Young 1ove organization, established in March 2014 in Gaborone, Botswana, is a grassroots, youth-led,…

As the COVID-19 pandemic became widespread in early 2020, people around the world felt scared, confused, and at a loss for how to help their fellow humans. Suddenly, young and old alike needed to understand the science of virology and how to protect themselves and others, while the world's scientific understanding of the specific COVID-19 virus…

Vietnam has been experiencing remarkable economic growth, which has brought about a mass urban migration. Despite the large number of young children, there is no public child care for children under 3 years old and public kindergartens are out of reach for many families because of high associated costs and residency status requirements. Given…

This past spring, the education industry experienced a massive paradigm shift as a result of the pandemic. In a matter of weeks, curriculum plans that had been carefully prepared and executed over two-thirds of the school year were upended, and educators were asked to revise, reorganize, and realign to address the needs and capabilities of an…

As the latest advances in technology make their way into the classroom, teachers are often overwhelmed with decisions about which technologies are the easiest to implement, best for student learning, and most interesting to students. Among the latest technology sensations to emerge are video response tools, which are online social interfaces for…

As COVID-19 spread across the globe, schools shuttered their doors and millions of students and teachers shifted to remote learning. This situation created significant challenges with regard to maintaining continuity, quality, and equity in education. At the same time, the very nature of the pandemic itself underscores the critical need to engage…

Children's museums offer a rich collection of onsite and online resources to tap into children's curiosity and expand their horizons.

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, education systems must prepare students with the skills and knowledge to be able to thrive in a global economy and society. Toward this end, teachers play a key role in supporting students to develop as global citizens who bridge cultural divides, understand sustainable development issues, and act…

A daunting challenge is affecting education in many areas of the world. Globally, education standards are suffering due to a major crisis in training and support for teachers. In low-income countries, efforts to raise pupil enrollment have been successful; however, lack of focus and policy direction around teacher quality means the majority of…

Content education is becoming less important than teaching children to understand and empathize with diverse individuals, thus supporting their ability to fully understand the context of challenges affecting the world and collaborate on solutions.

When teacher shortages pose a significant challenge to delivering quality education, what disruptive educational approaches can we explore to ensure students are learning?