Giving Compass' Take:

• EdSurge explores how interactive assignments that involve the whole family have shown positive results for students, in part because it can create stronger connections between adults and kids.

• How can we foster more productive out-of-the-classroom learning, even without the technology? What roles can nonprofits play in this effort?

• Here's why edtech isn't a substitute for real education change.

Family Playlists are interactive assignments that make use of the wide prevalence of mobile phones (even in low-income communities) to connect school work to family: Students complete a set of digital activities in school and then act as the teacher and do a hands-on activity with a family partner, usually a parent, at home. The family member then provides a photo of the work they did with their child and feedback to the teacher via their phone to complete what we call “the triangle of learning relationships” between students, teachers and families.

Family Playlists are based on a body of research from Johns Hopkins University called TIPS (Teachers Involving Parents in Schoolwork). Researchers there have studied TIPS extensively and found the program to result in positive emotional outcomes for students and increased student achievement. In fact, it is one of the only family engagement programs with results around academic achievement.

Read the full article about Family Playlists and student gains by Elisabeth Stock at EdSurge.