70628 National Education Computer Converence -- Overview

The International Society for Technology in Education (www.ISTE.com) held their annual National Educational Computer Conference in Atlanta this year.

A report from the daily conference newspaper caught me pontificating, and I became a celebrity for a few minutes. >>>

And a grand eventi it was.

Over 14,000 attendees, 500 vendors and hundreds of eventsi. The keynoter Andrew Zolli and his panel delivered a ton of new information for current trends, to 21st century schools, critical issues and how to actually fly without an airplane.

In this blog I just want to cover a few of critical issues for K-12 eLearningi that were addressed in depth at the conference. My conclusion is that eSATSi and Arizona needs to become much more active in the national discussion and transformationi.

1. There was critical concern that the incremental push for educational technology and integration had run itsi course and is stalled, worn out. At the district level the focus on information technology directors is shifting to curriculum directors.

What is needed was a “sputnik” event followed by a “NASA” moon vision and commitment if we are to get unstuck. The 2006 global competitive analysis, “Rising Above the Competitive Storm” by the National Academy of Sciences can “knock-your-socks-off” but does not grab the public like the first satellite in orbit.

A decade ago we in Arizona decided to refocus from wiring and computers to what we now call digital curriculum and creation of eLearning savvy teachers. We wrestled a long time and decided to use the word eLearning to remove all references to technology from our message and focus on learning using digital means. It has taken a long time to discourage the idea that eLearning was just another word for online learning. I think we have turned the corner and now have legislated eLearning policy to transform Arizona schools with digital curriculum and teacher education and professional development.

Maybe ISTE could modify their name to International Society for Transformation by eLearning. They might also consider changing National Educational Computer Conference to National eLearning Curriculum Conference. In this case curriculum is used in its broadest context which includes the learning ecology, pedagogy, teacher and equipment in the classroom.

2. The move from incremental implementation focused on computers and connectivity to a sustainable systems approach focused in innovation adoption. Speakers and workshop attendees came at this need for change in many ways. It seemed to boil down to organizing and gathering support with strategic planning and then develop the specifics with innovative systems design that focused on the entire teacher-student learning nexus ecology. The results would define what was needed at the school, district, State, colleges of education and digital curriculum vendor levels. The next step would be crucial: transforming district and State policy and policy makers to embrace this transformative eLearning systems design. Then develop an innovative system that captures all current K-12, work force and economic development policy initiatives into a unified policy. The unique aspect of policy is that it is created along a K-12 eLearning implementation dimension.

Three aspects came out of one roundtable:

Assemble the most effective researchi and operating examples of how K-12 eLearning will deliver large increases in academic performancei and graduation rates.

Craft a highly appealing message delivered by stories, stunning graphic displays and face to face to all who influence policy.

Need 50 intrastate P-20 system type coalitions that include all education, governance, and business, and citizen communities. Need an interstate eLearning advocate coalition to cross support efforts. Need national – state eLearning advocates coalition to bring innovation into the national policy and legislationi, and federal support back to the states.

I had way too much fun with fantastic people. This is all for now. Future blogs will poke into other areas.