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    Better Together by Lydia Dobyns and Tom Vander Ark Summary

    Better Together
    Lydia Dobyns and Tom Vander Ark
    4.3 (10 Reviews)
    EducationLeadershipTechnology
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    Overview of Better Together

    "Better Together" reveals how school networks revolutionize education through personalized, project-based learning. From the New Tech Network's expansion to 200+ schools across 28 states, this guide shows why educators are abandoning isolation for collaboration. Could networked schools be education's most overlooked innovation?

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    Best quote from Better Together

    “

    Learning is activated by relationships and happens in community-something difficult to replicate through technology alone.

    ”
    Explore Your Way of Learning
    Better Together isn't just a book — it's a masterclass in Education. To help you absorb its lessons in the way that works best for you, we offer five unique learning modes. Whether you're a deep thinker, a fast learner, or a story lover, there's a mode designed to fit your style.

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    Imagine walking into a classroom in El Paso where students once trapped in test-prep drills are now designing solutions to community water shortages. Or picture a rural Arkansas high school achieving 92% graduation rates despite limited resources. What's their secret? Not flashy technology or expensive programs, but something far more powerful: networks. School networks have quietly become the most significant innovation in American education, creating systems where teachers collaborate across buildings and states, sharing effective practices while receiving structured support. This approach has transformed isolated classrooms into vibrant learning communities where both students and teachers thrive. As education faces unprecedented challenges, networks provide the structure, support, and innovation engine needed to prepare students for an uncertain future - one where collaboration and adaptability matter more than memorization. We live in a platform-driven world. The six largest companies by market capitalization - Apple, Alibaba, Alphabet, Amazon, Facebook, and Microsoft - all operate platform businesses that connect producers and consumers. These platforms create extraordinary value through network effects. Yet education has largely missed this revolution. While we book accommodations through Airbnb and transportation through Uber, most educational technology merely digitizes traditional practices. The transformation education needs isn't just technological - it's structural. Networks like New Tech Network demonstrate how this can work, providing shared goals, powerful tools, and professional learning opportunities that make implementation of complex innovations possible.

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    Student-Centered Learning: Projects and Personalization

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    A Nation Proud of Its Public Schools