Tuesday, June 27, 2006

5 lessons on using ed tech

Hi All,

I thought that there were some interesting thoughts in this article from the THE Journal http://www.thejournal.com/articles/18654 and then as I continued reading on I became extraordinarily distracted by the imbedded and surrounding advertising! I mean...c'mon guys! If you print a copy of this article I am sure you'll be able to get some great ideas with being thrown into a media induced seizure!

Jim ;-)

Thursday, June 08, 2006

EETT phone home?

The SEDTA released the following info.

SETDA Dismayed by House's Action to Abandon Technology in Schools

House Vote Devastates Efforts to Maximize Student Achievement and Improve America's Competitiveness by Eliminating Enhancing Education Through Technology (NCLB Title II, Part D)

ARLINGTON, VA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 06/07/2006 -- The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) today urged the House Appropriations Committee to fill the gaping hole left by the House Labor, HHS, & Education Subcommittee's decision to eliminate the Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) program in FY 2007.

"We understand tough decisions must be made in the Appropriations process, but eliminating EETT shows a gross misunderstanding of how critical this funding is for schools. EETT's activities have led to demonstrated, measurable improvements in student achievement in Math, Science, and Reading. Moreover, schools have used EETT funding to purchase data systems that are critical to fulfill NCLB's accountability requirements and to close the achievement gap," said SETDA's Executive Director, Mary Ann Wolf, PhD. "As the nation gears up to be more competitive, it makes no sense to cut a program that provides teachers and students with the technology resources that are improving teaching and learning and allowing our nation to compete effectively in the 21st century workforce."

SETDA calls upon the Full Appropriations Committee to level fund the EETT program at $275 million in 2007 (at minimum), which represents a 61% cut from 2004 funding level of $696 million. The House Appropriations Committee must reject the notion that the job of technologically outfitting our schools is done, particularly since many schools still lack that appropriate technology systems to: 1) report and address the progress of every child, 2) close the achievement gap, 3) improve teacher quality, and 4) provide rigorous instruction to all students.

Friday, June 02, 2006

Maybe the world is actually round?

Hi All,

Gary Stager has expressed his wonderful disregard for the ubiquitous "flat world" concept in this response. We all know the premise of Friedman's "The World is Flat" by now, particularly if you have had a recent computer issue solved by an eloquent person from Bangalore. It is interesting to see someone actually step back from it for a second and question it.

It is always interesting how the human mind, that desperately wants to make sense of the world around it, will grab on to ideas that "feel right". This sort of relates to the earlier "freaky" post. I am not sure who is more correct, Gary or Tom, but I like the fact that Gary is making me think.

All the best.

Jim :-)