TAP into Learning
We build knowledge through interaction with the world, bringing our own experiences to make sense of it. What about those that have limited prior knowledge and experience? This article addresses a promising way to resolve this issue-collaborative group work. I appreciated the lessons presented. I've seen similar lessons in classrooms in our own county. The lesson in Texas took it one step further utilizing a data base. Although the database enhances the effectiveness of the learning, I believe that the interaction among the students was a stronger factor in ensuring that learning take place. The social interaction balances with individual work. I have always feared that educators will think that the use of technology is played out by sitting a student in front of the computer , isolated from others, telling them to compete a project. A balance must be provided so that students can not only see, but hear different perspectives, understand and learn the variety of ways to problem solve and still reach the same conclusion or understand why the conclusions were different. Learning should be a group process and not and individual's processing of information.

Net Savvy
I keyed in to the phrase "information universe"and "information literacy". We now have access to anything we want to investigate from Buddhism to recipes for carmel apples. Unfortunately, we have access to "making a terrorist" and "making bombs". We can buy and sell (both good and bad products) from a global market. It provides the freedom to learn about and access the world without traveling from our home. Along with this bombardment of information that is being generated at such a rapid pace, there is a danger of not being able to sort for truth and accuracy. The net is rapidly becoming a part of our culture, and I can respect that. I like that it has become a social network but I'm hesitant to rely on this as the only way to socialize. We need to encourage face to face social interaction. Working cooperatively together (professional learning communities) Bringing this back to leadership practices, I think balancing face to face and cyperspace interactions is required. People don't know how to work together face to face, sharing ideas openly-it takes practice and time. As a leader I would strive to maintain this balance between face to face interaction and net socialization.

I appreciate that we had the opportunity to have Patrick provide his perspective of the needs in education. Phrases such as "changing beliefs, collaborative efforts, provide the tools and have them produce, social networking" were repeated frequently. These phrases are relevant and important to advance technology in the classroom. The most important phrase is the collaborative effort. In order to make this change requires leadership that clearly defines and keeps everyone focused on the values behind the advancement of technology. Leadership must show the relevance and the positive impact it will have on the student's future. Opportunities to engage in discussion to voice concerns and fears, should be provided. Collaborative efforts from staff , learning from each other and sharing ideas for solutions to problems encountered must take place in order to advance thinking.

Leadership, technology and the future . . . technology of the future should benefit and improve the learning of students. Technology should take the learner to a higher level of understanding. Presently, I see it used in classrooms to replace tools that are already in place. For example, instead of encyclopedias, students google; instead of journals, students blog. It is doing the same thing in another format. While it provides alternatives for learning I don't see that it creates knowledge-isn't that the purpose of education? I realize we are moving in the right direction, however, we have a long way to go to catch up.

Captain Blog . . .

and his crew . . .

September 23, 2007

Welcome!
I am new to the art of blogging and look forward to this experience. Through weekly reflections, my thoughts and perspectives on various topics in educational leadership will be presented. Exploring technologies which provide opportunities for creative expression is of special interest to me. I look forward to the Educ400 adventure that lies ahead.