K-12 Online Conference: It Simply Isn't the 20th Century Anymore Is it? So, Why Would We Teach as Though It Was?

Listening to the presentation and the reflections on the questions posed has allowed me to open my thinking in completely different ways. I really had not thought about who would lead the technology development of education in the 21st century. I find it interesting how the responses were so varied from person to person. I have reflected on the person who commented that she believes children (students) will actually lead the way with a completely different type of social network for learning. I think that is very likely and can transform learning from a single classroom to many classrooms around the world.

I am certainly intrigued by the question about the "timing" of schools and the school year. I have always questioned this in my mind and have at times been frustrated that we can't "overhaul" the system so students can move through material as they complete it. I remember in my 3rd grade classroom, my teacher allowed several of us in the class to work through our Math book on our own. We were incredibly motivated and probably learned more than we would have if we had stayed together with the rest of the class. I recall finishing the entire book before Christmas and then having the chance to work on other math projects and activities that were well beyond the 3rd grade curriculum. I also remember then moving on to the next year and finding the giant "system door" opened in 3rd grade "slammed shut" for the remainder of my academic learning time.

The final question posed is about the essential skills necessary for teachers, provided from the point of view of students. I believe the things we are learning in this class are some of the essential elements or literacies students would want us to know as educators. I also believe this list would be ever changing as the days and sometimes minutes went by.