What It Is for those who just came to the party

Hi Folks,

If you received this blog, you are invited to share your thoughts on what public education is now and will be in the future. This started as an assignment in a masters level course and has continued because I think educators need to begin talking to each other. The more we discuss what the future of education should look like the better we, as a group, can create the vision.

I have set this blog up so you can add your comments directly to the page and if you are not on the email update list, we can add you. Please contribute your thoughts and views, don't hold back!

Response from Dr. Gerry Bedore

Hi Deb,

I fail to see where we disagree. A system of checks and balances, the education system, is a good thing. It has taken everything that we have gone through to get where we are at. In addition, the American system of education has changed the world. It is an amazing system. The challenge being faced today is the rate of change in our society relative to the rate of change in the system of education. I see it as a matter of keeping the pressure on the system through competitive forces and getting leaders into education that bring new ways of thinking to the table. It is happening.

As far as a chicken or egg thing; technology and education feed on one another nicely. Education gets more exciting everyday.


Dr. G

Hi Dr.G,

There is a lot that we agree on especially the isolation of students from the real world for education. How can education be relevant if it is all hyperbole? This does not help students prepare for their career life.

Another point where we agree is every student should be an "A" student. When we use the intelligences developed by Gardner to convey information to students they have a better opportunity to gain mastery. I try to use the major intelligences in my classes through centers to reinforce what I am teaching. This way students can find a station or two that hits their learning style and gives them an entree into understanding. My third grade has all "A"s so far this grading period except on student has a "B". This was a surprise when I reviewed their grades but hopefully it means they have learned the material.

Here is where we are at different points. I think the discoveries of new methodology would not have come about unless we had moved from an Industrial Age to a Digital Age. It is like the chicken and the egg. Which came first? Respectfully, I think computers came first and methodologies followed. Does this matter at the end of the day? No. When science began looking at computer logic the spill over into the brain and human logic began.

Thanks for your viewpoint and addition to this blog. The dialogue is great!

Response to post

Hi Deb,

In response to your question,

"Here is the question I hope you will weigh in on, what do you consider your best item of technology in the world of teaching or your world period?

To be honest, the greatest tools for me in teaching today have little to do with technology. The greatest changes in learning today come from the advances in learning methodologies. Understanding how people learn and supporting the success of every learner in an inclusive process that says, "if done right, every student in every class can be an "A" student" is what I focus on. The idea that it is ok for someone to fail is not OK in my world.

I hear it all the time, "Not everyone can have an "A" in your class, this is grade inflation!" To this my response is," if every student is not an "A" student, then I have not done my job or the learning process needs adjusted."

I know that this concept may seem abstract and that the mindset of those that have gone before me will say that I am simply wrong. The industrial age is gone and we do have the learning methodologies to ensure the success of every student. This is my focus with the doctoral students I work with and in working with my colleagues. We cannot allow the mindset and processes of the past to position our society for failure in a new world. It is my goal to change the way America thinks about learning.

Have you ever asked, "Why does a student need to declare a major when entering college?"
or
"Why are courses set up on a semester or quarterly basis?"
or
"Why are students required to go to a school house that is isolated from society to be taught?"
or
"Why does the American society view teachers and schools the way they do? Example; A teacher is paid $24,000.00 a year to teach our children!" Huh!

In my world, the whole picture is wrong. I do not have time to do a white paper on this right now but I can tell you that the evidence for supporting the need to do things differently is overwhelming. No technology is going to change this. This is a people thing.

If you are looking for one technology that I believe has had most impact on education today, it would be the Internet followed by email.

Dr. G

Welcome to Technology in Teaching

Technology has brought teaching into a new dimension. I remember when an overhead projector was the newest and greatest piece of equipment for working in the classroom. No more chalk on the dusty blackboard, and being able to face your students while you taught-WOW what a concept! This remembrance is not that long ago.

Now we complain because there are only three computers in our classroom. The overhead sits in the corner or you try to pawn it off on another teacher who has not progressed into the world of computing.

Here is the question I hope you will weigh in on, what do you consider your best item of technology in the world of teaching or your world period?

Jump right in and after I have heard from you or in my next post I will share some of mine.