…technology with a twist

“…it seems as much as our political and educational leaders talk of the move to a revolutionary, or at least transformational, digital world of learning, the reality is quite the opposite. It seems as much as we have public acknowledgment of the need to invest in professional development to encourage teachers to adopt “bold” practice, the private reality is an insignificant investment in this support. And as much as we build excitement around transforming the learning experience for our young people, nothing or little changes.

Too often it comes back to being a simple case of technology distraction, rather than disruption!

So let’s kick off ‘08 with a combined will to do something to change all that. Let’s take this emerging era of “affordable computing”, and start setting more ambitious goals for what might be possible. We talk about anytime, anywhere learning, but even at its simplest level, too many 1-to-1 schools are still trying to contain the learning inside their walls. We all know that we are still too often looking at subjects like math and even science through “pen and paper” eyes.”

It would seem that, without knowing it, Bruce Dixon has responded to my clarion call to take up arms against the dispassionate! My own emphasis of the statement above highlights the problem and supports my earlier suggestions that the time for pussy footing around is over.  It’s like I always tell my kids; you might be one person, but you can make a difference.

What will my difference be?

I intend for my tablet to become as ubiquitous as my sunglasses are in summer! That’s the first thing….in staff meetings, in discussions, at coffee….anywhere, anytime ME actively demonstrating my umbilical link to the world.

In my classroom?

YES of cause…and not just for research purposes!! (grrrrr!! on that archaic practice)

In the classrooms where the kids don’t have access?

Book up the laptop pods, make permanent bookings into the computer labs….

Not much of a revolution there do you say??

Ah, yes, but it most certainly is to those who see teaching and learning through pen and paper eyes!! In fact it’s seen by some of them as positively REVOLTING