Reflection on the day

Transformation. Learning to Change. Changing to Learn. Skeptics and Utopians. Dreams. Disenthrall. Revolution. 

These are the impressions I am leaving with today as they relate to our educational system as a whole and to the role of instructional technology in schools. As an educational leader, it is incumbent upon me to understand the power of technology in today's world and our responsibility to revolutionize how our children are being prepared for life and work. For decades, we have been saying that the industrial model is irrelevant and is, in fact, damaging our children's potential to find purpose and meaning.

I appreciate Sir Ken Robinson's call to revolutionize our system into an agricultural model where we create the conditions for optimal growth of our children's minds and hearts.

The meaning of the German word, kindergarten, is literally "children's garden" or a garden of children. This parallels Robinson's metaphor and reminds us of the root of formal learning. We need to give children the space to explore their interests and learn to build relationships with peers and adults.

In my work supporting children with disabilities, I need to find ways to expand not only children's access to their education, but also ways to tap into their abilities, interests, and learning styles. They have just as much to aspire to as "typically developing" children.

I am enjoying that this is not just a technical skills class, although learning how to launch and maintain a blog is very practical. The critical thinking piece is important and integral to my development as a leader.

Skeptics vs. Utopians

Zucker eased my worries about where we were (I was) in terms of viewing my district's status on educational technology. I thought he presented a balanced perspective of current (2008?) writings on the topic. The truth and value lie somewhere in between Stoll and the utopians. Technology allows for learning opportunities not possible before, but it is not the savior of education.

Learning to Change, Changing to Learn

Krueger

9/26/15
There were some compelling viewpoints expressed in the video today. I was inspired, yet discouraged. Sometimes it feels as if we're trying to turn a cruise ship around with canoe paddles when it comes to best practice in anything, let alone instructional technology.
In my own district, we seem to be falling increasingly behind in terms of what we should be offering today's students. Even though we acknowledge our antiquated model of the brick and mortar classroom, it seems as if we are grounded (stuck? comfortable?) in this model. As adults, it is what we are most familiar with. As adults, many of us do not have the knowledge or skills or interest in what is taking over the planet.