Revisiting the Saber-Tooth Curriculum
Topic: Leadership Issues

I'm working on the final chapter of my new book on the National Education Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS*T), which will be published by ISTE in early 2007.

While thinking about how I wanted to wrap up this thing in a way that would drive several points home again without sounding too preachy, I reread a portion of the Saber-Tooth Curriculum (this link leads to an adaptation of one section). Basically, this part is about an early Stone Age guy who develops a simple curriculum designed to teach his children how to find food and clothing, and keep safe from saber-tooth tigers. His children are so successful that the curriculum is soon adopted throughout the valley. Then a new Ice Age dawns and the old skills in the curriculum are no longer applicable to life in the valley. Some adults suggest changing the curriculum but are immediately 'put in their place' by the elders who tell them there are universal truths that never change and these are all embodied in the Saber-Tooth Curriculum.

The book was originally published in 1939, and I first ran across it in a methods course way back in 1977, but it definitely pertains to ongoing discussions among educators today. If you haven't read it, start with the adaptation, then jump over to Amazon (or whatever) and buy the book. It was reprinted in 2004 and costs less than $10.

I'm planning to figure out a couple of PD exercises based on it... 

Technorati tags: saber-tooth.curriculum, ISTE, education, change

A New Take on Online Class Discussion Boards
Topic: E-Communication

I am not a big fan of discussion groups. Never have been. They seem somewhat pointless. A topic is posed, a few people post something original and then the rest of the comments run along the lines of "I agree," or "You rock." Not very productive. I also often forgot to go back to check for updates.

So...when a friend on the East Coast asked me to lead a five-day online discussion for a course he's teaching, I agreed, but had my doubts. Now that I've done it, I'm glad I did because it gave me a different view of online discussions.

The topic was Web 2.0 and education and the discussion actually consisted of three threads. Participants read and discussed a short article, reviewed and discussed one of four Web 2.0 tools (Writely, ThinkFree, pb wiki, and del.icio.us), and then reviewed and discussed three resources for keeping up on emerging technologies (TechCrunch, Wired, and Business 2.0).

Although the discussion timeframe was quite short, all the students kept up and nearly all of them made thoughtful comments about what they read/reviewed and how this related to their work in classrooms. So, what made this a success? Here's what I think:

• These folks meet face-to-face with their primary instructor on a regular basis. This means there's some accountability built in.
• The short timeline introduced a sense of urgency. The students had access to their 'expert guest' for just a few days. Those who wanted to take advantage of this opportunity couldn't let grass grow beneath their feet.
• The only way a person could effectively participate in the discussion was by doing something first. And, in addition to providing the links, I also asked several questions that hit about mid-range on Bloom's Taxonomy, so they weren't responding to knowledge or comprehension level prompts.

In the future, when I have opportunities to develop online discussions, I plan to try to incorporate some of this.

• Keep it short snd focused.
• Use multiple threads (2-3) in one discussion.
• Bring in a guest 'expert' if possible.
  
• Set expectations for comments using prompts that require higher order thinking.
  

Technorati tags: writely, ThinkFree, Web2.0, pbwiki , del.icio.us , TechCrunch, Wired , Business 2.0

Writely Accepting New Subscriptions!
Topic: Emerging Technologies

 After a hiatus of several months while being taken into the Google fold, Writely is once again allowing new subscriptions. This web-based word processor is awesome! If you haven't tried it out, now's the time.

Because of the ability to invite others to collaborate on documents, this tool has great potential for educators.

Technorati tags: writely, Google, Web2.0, school.administrators

Name Change and Wiki Tool
Topic: Leadership Issues

When I started this blog almost two years ago, folks were really focused on blogging and its impact on education. Since that time there's been an explosion of Web 2.0 tools and, often as not, I'm writing here about apps that have little (or nothing) to do with blogging. So, I decided it was time to make the title of the blog reflect the reality.

 

In that spirit, I'd like to mention a wiki site that I've used extensively and like a lot. When I first heard about wikis, I did a Google search and worked through the results until I found something I was able to figure out in less that 5 minutes, pbwiki. Since then, I've created and used wikis for a variety of trainings and other work I've done with school districts. The site offers both free and premium accounts.Not long ago, the creators of pb wiki surveyed their users and were surprised to discover that the majority are educators! As a result, they've formed an advisory board (including your's truly) and are beginning to add features designed for educators. If you're looking for this kind of web-based tool, take a few minutes to check it out, and then leave the developers some feedback about what features you'd like to see. They do pay attention! Technorati tags: pbwiki, schoolleadership, school.administrators

 

Cheating and Technology
Topic: Leadership Issues

I just listened to the Weekday program on NPR that focused on students (high school/college) and technology-based cheating. One guest, Ira Socol, was especially engaging. In May 2006, his editorial piece "Stop Chasing High-Tech Cheaters" was published on the Inside Higher Ed Web site. It really struck a chord, based upon the number of comments posted since the article appeared. Basically, Socol suggests that rather than banning devices such as MP3 players, cell phones, and PDAs, educators should embrace them, changing teaching strategies to prepare students to function in the Digital Age. He points out that over-dependence on rote memorization and learning in isolation are antiquated approaches that do students a real disservice.

It's probably no surprise that I agree with what Socol has to say, but many of the comments posted show that some folks have a long way to go...one writer argued against dependence on technology because of the possibility of power failures!

Anyway, it's an interesting read and something school leaders may want to share and discuss with their colleagues.

 

 

Technorati tags: student.cheating, schoolleadership, education

 

Compelling Case for School Use of Web 2.0 Apps
Topic: Emerging Technologies

At a time when U.S. federal officials are seemingly working overtime to block student and teacher access to Web 2.0 apps, there are several tools emerging that make a compelling case for why we need more, not less use of these apps in schools. 

I recently read about a company called Sapotek. These folks developed a Web-based desktop called computadora.com. This has been a real boon for people who live in Mexico who don't own personal computers but do have access to Internet-connected computers. Using this site, they don't need a computer at home. They can access their personalized Web desktop from anywhere. An enhanced English version, Desktoptwo, has just launched. Couple this with as service that provides Web-based office-like apps such as Thinkfree.com, and we're well on the way to supporting nearly ubiquitous access for students who don't have computers of their own, but who do use systems provided at the library, at school, or by friends and relatives. No more major worries about access, compatability, or software.

These services also each provide up to 1 GB storage, enabling students to save and access their files. Not to mention the collaboration features that support peer-to-peer and student-to-teacher interactions! But, as I understand it, these are the very capabilities DOPA (here's a link to Andy Carvin's DOPA Watch for the latest) would attempt to squash. Go figure...

New Tool from Microsoft Targets Hiring and PD
Topic: Leadership Issues

Microsoft has just release a free tool called Education Competencies. The 37 competencies are categorized into six qualities that individuals must have in order for a school district to achieve success in the 21st century. The qualities are:

• Individual Excellence
• Organizational Skills
• Courage
• Results (goal-oriented)
• Strategic Skills
• Operating Skills

The site suggests that these competencies can be used in hiring, but also for creating professional development opportunities. Read more about individual competencies by visiting this link. There is extensive supporting documentation available here including definitions, rubrics, activities, interview questions, and more.

Private vs. Public Education
Topic: Leadership Issues

Have you read the report released by NCES week before last? If not, you need to click on the report link in the first sentence of this post and get right on it.

The report examines differences in NEAP Math and Reading scores between private and public school students (grades 4 and 8). When looking at aggregate scores, the private school students performed much better than their public school counterparts. However,when the data was disaggregated to look at very specific student characteristics, the differences pretty much disappeared. Needless to say, folks have all kinds of opinions about what this means...

An editorial published in last Sunday's Seattle Times nicely sums up the controversey surrounding the findings. Basically, the U.S. DOE has all but ignored the report--it didn't provide additional fodder for the voucher movement right at the time Margaret Spellings was announcing the new $100 million voucher plan. On the other hand, the NEA is apparently interpreting the results to say that all's well in public education, when we know that's not true either. 

After discussing the problems with each of these interpretations, the editorial concludes, "What we're left with is reassurance, bolstered by a significant study, that good schools exist in the public and private arenas. There is a place for both. Surely, the two sides warring over the minds of American students can agree on this." Sounds like the voice of sweet reason to me...

Technorati tags: NCESreport, schoolleadership, education

 

More on Technology Funding
Topic: Leadership Issues

I posted earlier this week about the fact that textbook publishers have lobbied against legistlation requiring them to make textbook materials available in electronic format.

This week in Texas a different, yet related issue came to a head. Apparently there are lawmakers in Texas who want to allow schools to use textbook funds to purchase hardware for students, but the state's AG (Attorney General?) has ruled that would be a no-no (Textbook funds can't be used for laptops, says AG).

Seems to me that this is an idea that needs to be kept afloat. Maybe not laptops, but some kind of device where students could download and read material and do other work as well. Considering the cost of textbooks, wouldn't it would be to purchase a mobile device for each student, install the appropriate instructional materials, and then replace the device every 3-5 years?

Since this began at NECC, I'm including those tags. 

Technorati tags: necc, necc06, technologyfunding

Funding for Technology
Topic: Leadership Issues

Well, NECC ended up being a blur for me. Had opportunities to connect with old friends and meet many new folks, but the shortened conference (due to the holiday) meant that things were really compacted. Still had a great time, though.

The first evening I was there, I was part of a conversation where one person was passionately arguing that it would be a good thing if the federal government ended up cutting funding earmarked for technology expenditures. His argument was that schools will continue to view technology as an add-on until they have to incorporate this funding on their own. I suppose I understand this reasoning on one level, but I am still afraid that, at this point in time, it's wishful thinking. And I think I may be finally wrapping my head around why I disagree.

Let's take a look at textbooks. Most people would agree that these instructional tools are firmly entrenched in classrooms and yet, since the turn of the 20th century, states have allocated special funds for textbooks. Why? Because if that money wasn't a special allocation, the money would be spent somewhere else. I think that we face the same situation with technology. Particularly since the Association of American Publishers is lobbing hard to prevent states from allowing schools to spend textbook funds on technology and to fight legislation requiring textbook companies to make state adoptions in electronic format (see the 2005 AAP School Division Year in Review).

So, at least for the time-being, I think that losing earmarked technology funds will be a serious set-back in an envrionment where educators are already behind the 8-ball.

 

Technorati tags: necc, necc06, technologyfunding