The Future--More Questions than Answers
As a middle school prinicpal, I am becoming more and more aware of how technology is changing the world for our students. In conference after conference, in book after book, and on blog after blog, we are being told and shown that what we currently do for students isn't going to prepare them for the world of tomorrow. This being the case, what do we need to do to improve what we do? How does a school that is a good school make the transistion to being a great school? What about the students who are in the building while we are making the transition--who will prepare them for the future?
Labels: future, middle school, principal
posted by Sunny @ 8:33 AM
3 Comments
3 Comments:
I think it is critical that teachers are allowed time during the day to learn new skills that will enable them to pass these skills on to the students through engaging work. It is necessary that the teachers begin to see themselves as a collaborative community of learners instead of the lone teacher feeling like they have to do everything on their own. By building this environment, we will also create a shared since of responsibility to make sure all students learn.
Good day,
Thanks for dropping by my blog and leaving a comment. Figured I'd return the favour! The questions you pose are similar to ones that I ask myself constantly. As I look at what is happening all around me, I see that our school is not prepared to meet the challenges of a new technology-rich society. However, I believe that our answer lies not in how quickly we can get everyone to use the new tools and working with web2.0 opens-source software. Instead, it will be how quickly we acknowledge that we need to change and begin that process. Right now, most are content with the way things are and aren't really paying attention to what is going on with the changes in society. Take blogging for instance. Most teachers are not aware of the power it holds for sharing ideas and increasing the exposure students have to others. You just took a great step by beginning to blog and acknowledging that a change is underway. Congratulations! Keep at it, I'll be by to visit again!
Sunny,
I love reading your thoughts as you consider options for the use of technology in leading your school through challenges that we all face today. It's up to forward-thinking people such as you to look for new and innovative ways to engage your students in meaningful learning--until a student can see something of personal meaning and value in what's presented, the student will never really learn. You're doing a great job of helping your teachers and students think about the change process and to examine ways that they can improve education through change. I've always loved the quotation, "The only people who like change are wet babies." That's true with many people, but for me change brings impetus for growth, excitement, and a continued positive outlook on life. Without change every day, I would become a very uninteresting stagnant person without any zest in her life.
Thanks for the reminders that change is the avenue to better things for our students.
Mom
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