I'm not sure if you have had the chance to read Critical Technology: Issues for School Leaders by Susan Brooks-Young or not, but if you haven't, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy. She begins the book by discussing the difference between "Digital Immigrants" and "Digital Natives." The immigrants are those of us that are typically over 30 who are caught up in this whirlwind of new ideas and products and are just simply trying to figure it all out. The natives are those, usually under 30, who have been surrounded by technology all their lives. The real challenge then becomes, what happens when the native attempts to teach the immigrant.
Outstanding and quick read...our district purchased a copy for us as part of the administrator's summer time reading list. Each chapter has a handful of questions that are perfect for discussion and, more importantly, thinking.
So we understand what direction the world is moving and then we enter the ISTE NETS(A) goals and we run into...dollars and sense. AHHH the age old dilemma. Who is going to pay for what we obviously need? What cuts will have to be made if new technology is installed in our classrooms?
While the goals and objectives are clear the "paper to practice" is not. Many systems "flood" their schools with technology as a cure-all but the follow-through and staff development never makes it to the teacher and ultimately the student. Some choose to spend dollars in faculty, and allow technology to take a backseat with the idea that more teachers and instructors are the answer. The ISTE NETS(A) goals need to serve as a catilist to guide each individual system into the future. The objectives and goals are clearly thought out and take into account each stakeholder in the process.
While funding will be the dilemma that has no easy answer, one thing is clear...this world is advancing at a much quicker pace than we relize. Funding or not our studetns are entering schools with a knowledge base of technology that, often times, is larger than ours. It is time to allow the immagrants to take some of the lead!!
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It used to be very easy to spot the digital immigrants. They were the ones who printed out each of their emails. I think we've moved past that but your point is well taken.
I'm not sure if there will ever be a perfect solution to the funding delimma. If textbook publishers would consider selling their wares as digital files, it'd make it much easier for systems to invest in 1-to-1 computers for students. The students could then carry all their texts (and projects and files) with them on a laptop to classes and home. Just a thought.
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