I first began by looking at the Ecosystem Map. With all of the technology and gadgets out there, none of the "captions" seemed out of reach. From the "Can you sign and submit my online permission slip" to "there's a virtual frog dissection now", it all seems so easy. The problem I see, is that schools are only using portions of the map, for different reasons. Reasons that can and cannot be controlled by a district.
For instance, many school are opting to forgo textbooks as seen in the map, and purchase technological resources that will capture and engage more students, and enhance the classroom environment. As a school principal, I could bring this idea forward, but in my particular school would see lots of headache. Many teachers believe that the textbook is the curriculum, and would not be willing to give up a textbook, to learn new technology themselves.
In browsing more, I was intrigued by the section that shows and explains how each piece of the "map" is used or its purpose. i.e what do the stakeholders get out of a school 2.0, how does each of the pieces effect assessment, communication etc.
As I browsed the other sections I read about the eToolkit and that its helps create the vision. As a teacher, what is my vision? As a faculty, what is our vision? As a district, what is our vision? I wondered about this as I moved forward exploring the site. As I continued to explore the site I was more and more aware of just how important the idea of a vision is. To bring all these tools and not know why or to use them, makes no sense.
I believe that to effectively use the tools of web 2.0 and create the school 2.0, everyone needs to share a vision, the same vision. It must be embraced by the administration, faculty, staff, and students.
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I agree with your comment, "it all seems so easy." I think it would, could, and should be so easy for many of us, but also agree that this transition would bring quite a few "headaches."
ReplyDeleteHi Mark,
ReplyDeleteAre you a school principal or a teacher? Just wondering because in this blog post you are thinking broadly enough to be the leader for your school. Maybe you should be a principal! On your profile page I see that your school is very technologically sound and ahead of ours by about 20 years. Your comment about many teachers believing the "textbook is the curriculum" is exactly the battle I fight within my department. I look forward to discussing ways around this...
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ReplyDeleteI am a teacher. I wrote my blog as if I was the principal.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMike, I really like the point you make that everyone needs to share a common vision. You say that "It must be embraced by the administration, faculty, staff, and students." As a parent, community member and taxpayer in the town where I teach, I would like to add that all stakeholders should share the common vision to help ensure schools receive the financial backing and parent support for School 2.0.
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