EduBlog Insights

That association is top notch. I haven’t been able to attend many of

their conferences but I think they are the best. I got so excited

reading eSchool News online this morning. Corey Murray’s article

entitled, ASCD speakers: Get authentic reform,

had so many excellent points that I just longed to have been a part of

the conference.The key theme for the conference was how to address a

glaring disconnect between the demands of the new knowledge-based

economy and the drill-and-practice mentality currently driving

education in many of the nation’s classrooms. Now that was more than

enough for starters but listen to more from his article……

century seem to be passing us by, she said: Many of the nation’s top

education leaders, including the framers of the federal No Child Left

Behind Act (NCLB), also are missing the point.

“One of the reasons we have NCLB in the United States is because the

group that cooked it up has no idea what they are doing,” James said to

applause from the crowd. “When you don’t understand something, the

first thing you try and do is measure it.

“Don’t get me wrong–I’m all for accountability,” said James in

reference to the federal law. But teaching students to memorize

information meant to produce higher marks on state tests is not the way

to prepare them for life and work in a global economy, she said.

“Technology is changing everything,” said James, who believes a “cultural shift” is under way in the nation’s classrooms.

But it won’t be enough simply to outfit the nation’s classrooms with

the latest gadgets. For technology to have its intended impact,

teachers must do their part to drive new methods of instruction.

Gene Carter (ASCD Executive Director)……..

 ASCD’s Carter reinforced James’ criticisms of the law, calling its focus on standardized test scores “inappropriate.” The idea, said Carter, is to create new environments focused on “deep

learning,” which includes the development of a rigorous, relevant

curriculum–some of which involves the use and application of

technology.

“In the 21st century, learning must dictate how technology is used,”

ASCD Executive Director Gene Carter told a group of educational

technology advocates during a special session on the closing day of the

conference. Although there are a few shining examples of effective

technology integration in schools, Carter said, “the average teacher is

Ted Hershberg (University of Pennsylvania professor)……..

Though our education system has worked well in the past, the increasing

presence of technology and the demands of a new century have made it

nearly impossible for teachers to rely on what has become an outdated

approach to teaching and learning, said Hershberg, who also serves as

executive director for Operation Public Education, a research group

that develops strategies for education reform.

If change doesn’t occur soon, he warned, the United States is in danger

of ceding its economic prominence to other, more aggressive

nations–most notably India and China, whose workers offer the same, if

not better, skills at a fraction of the cost.

“Our schools were good for the past,” Hershberg explained. But we

cannot expect “an old system to produce new results. … It’s time to

get on with the process of change and stop blaming each other.”

to tell a good story. In short, they need to sell what it is they’re

teaching. To do that, educators must build lessons that attract and

enthrall a generation of students weaned on the interactivity of the

The “Net Generation,” as she called today’s students, wants short,

interactive lessons dispersed with, but not dominated by, the use of

technology. To them, she said, technology is a tool to fuel discussion.

“Why is common sense not common practice?” asked James. Isn’t it time

our nation’s schools begin to reflect “the realities of the outside

And back to the key in classrooms

being educators telling a good story, selling what they are teaching.

Blogs can be the place to do just that.