Down to 11 days left to the end of the year. My the last 1/2 went FAST. I can hardly believe that January is when I found out I would be leaving the classroom and moving to a technology specialists position. Days and weeks now are but a blur…even this weekend.

I had my new toy, read: cellphone, with a camera with me on my trip to Walt Disney World this weekend. When it comes to Disney I’m what you would call a spoiled, little brat. It is now just under the midway point of the 2007 calendar year. Based on that, it’s been just about 17 years since I’ve had to pay to get into Disney. Ok yes, maybe I’m bragging just a bit here. That’s where I’m a bit spoiled. I worked there, I met my wife there, and now her father is still working there after almost 13 years. So when my mother in law made the comment as we were walking down Main Street USA that we had saved just about $400 dollars, and it was barely 9am. So again, I’m spoiled and blessed and I’m sure I take it for granted.
It was this picture that struck my fancy as I was leaving the park the other day. “Where dreams come true.” How much are we willing as adults to make our children’s dreams come true. I remember when I was courting my wife, we talked about how her parents would save up and every five years they would travel down here to Orlando as a family for a Disney Vacation. We’re talking billions and billions of dollars spent here in the attractions area annually. I won’t begin to mention the amount of foreign visitors contribute to this figure as well. Not really wanting to get into a discussion of the “Flat World” that we live in. Again, “Where dreams come true.” Parents are willing to do without, pinch corners here, save a bit there. All so their children’s “dreams come true.”

Why are we not doing this in the educational arena? Much has already been blogged about the NY Times article from last week. “Yet school officials here and in several other places said laptops had been abused by students, did not fit into lesson plans, and showed little, if any, measurable effect on grades and test scores at a time of increased pressure to meet state standards.” I’m sorry, but HOW exactly did they not fit into lesson plans? I’m sorry, but did the district do its part in training the teachers who would be using these tools in their daily lessons? I’m sorry, did the district instruct students and teachers on the care and use of the laptops other then, here’s an AUP, now sign it? These are all valid questions in my opinion.

“Where dreams come true.” Rather then let the Disney Corporation have this mantra, why are our schools not taking with this phrase and running with it? I’m a firm believer that college is NOT for everyone. For some of our students an alternative vocational education is the best that they will probably attain. This does not mean they are any less then the college grad. I know plenty of examples of people who have not graduated High School, yet went on to great achievements in business. “Where dreams come true.” Should we not as educators begin the process so dreams can come true? In this era of assessment and accountability, the goal of empowering our students I believe has been lost. It’s actually a funny little cycle when you think about it. States send out state mandates for testing, district administrators push it down to the principals who in turn preach accountability to the teachers.

Again, how are states, schools and districts alike meeting the needs of the teachers? Low technology budgets and professional development that involves ‘tried and true’ practices such as Kagan and CRISS strategies. All great concepts in their own rites, but the word needs to get out to the digital immigrants we call probably 75% to 80% of the instructional workforce. Using David Jakes’ professional development model would be a great start! For the most part I agree with all 10 of his keys to professional development.

All hope is not lost though, at least in Florida. Two years ago, they created the Florida Master Digital Educator program. They inducted their second cohort just this spring. Also, the county I’m in, and it’s neighbor partnered on the E2T2 grant and is working to create “Florida Digital Educators”. We will be shown and trained on the cutting edge technologies that are out there, and we will be sent out to mentor other teachers on integration ideas. I look forward to being able to continue the peer mentoring program that I was a part of at my old school. I’m also pleased that my new principal is rather enthralled with the concept as well. I will definitely keep you all updated on the happenings!

Seeking the Wisdom of the Ages…

Tom.

Hu, Winnie. “Seeing No Progress, Some Schools Drop Laptops.” The New York Times 4 May 2007 7 May 2007 <http://tinyurl.com/27g53r>.