Technology Inside and Outside of School

I viewed an interesting interview with Elliot Soloway, a University of Michigan professor, about the use of technology inside and outside of school.  He suggests that many knowledge workers use technology all the time - computers, mobile phones, and so on.  To these workers technology is an essential part of their life and their work.  

He argues that many students rely on technology - outside of school.  They have mobile phones with internet access.  They text message, blog, twitter, download music, upload videos to You Tube, etc. Outside of school these students are much like the knowledge workers - technology is essential. They rely on it in all facets of their lives.

However, inside of school technology becomes optional.  For a variety of reasons students do not have access or do not use technology in meaningful and profound ways in school.  In fact, in many cases technology use is discouraged.  

Those who study the future of education say that we are moving toward a society where learning can and will take place 24/7.  Are we preparing students for that reality?  Can we prepare students for that reality?  The answers to these questions may change our schools.

How can we prepare teachers to use technology in more meaningful ways in class?  How can technology help our students learn?  Can technology help our students learn better or faster?  Can technology help our students learn more? How will the use of technology - the rich and powerful use of technology - change the relationship between teachers and students? 

  

The importance of education

Thomas Friedman had an interesting opinion piece in the New York Times on June 28th.  He talks about the importance of education in the middle of a recession.  He says that “the country that uses this crisis to make its population smarter and more innovative . . . is the one that will not just survive but thrive down the road.”

I couldn’t agree more.  We have to maintain our focus on educating all students to high levels. In the middle of a short-term crisis – that can seem like it is going to last forever – it is sometimes tempting to look for shortcuts.  But in the long-term creating an educated population will have powerful benefits. 

This article helped me refocus on the importance of our schools and making sure that we do everything we can to ensure that our students learn.    

Starting today

People say, "Start a blog."   

"A blog?" I ask.  "Why would anyone want to read what I have to say."

"You could talk about the school district, things you read, ideas you have.  It would be interesting."

So today I start a blog.  We will see if people find it interesting.

I have been the Superintendent in Grand Ledge for a year.  I started July 1, 2008.  The task today is the task that I inherited last summer - find a way to help our district grow into one of the best school districts in the state and nation.

We started the process last year and today it continues.  We are operating in the middle of a tremendously difficult budget cycle.  While I could complain about the economy in Michigan, the stress that the economy is putting on families, the loss of revenue when even one student decides to leave our district, etc., but I won't.  

Instead, I choose to focus on making sure that what goes on in our district challenges our students and helps them prepare for the future.  The economy is the economy. Every year there will be challenges.  I need to make sure that the employees in our district work hard for the students and families in our district.

So, a blog is started.  We will see where it goes.