It sure resonates with me. I work with a large number of schools that believe the final mark in a course and on the grade 12 exam is all that matters. The ministry had to recently introduce a number of new rules to try to block students from taking the same course in multiple districts, an effect from their new distributed learning programs. They found that students would signup for a courses like Math 12 in three schools and then drop the two with the ‘harder’ tests.

As teachers will be constantly be challenged to engage their passion in learning.

Maureen, yes, absolutely link away. I’ll follow up and track you down through the EBUS blog. I’d love to catch up.

I wonder Phil if it isn’t so much the elementary/secondary difference but a clear understanding of what we’re using the technology for, at any age. I know I have a tendency to jump in with both feet when something is new and exciting. That’s particularly true when the students are excited about some new tool. I heard Marco Torres speak last Friday at a Coquitlam Pro-D event. He started off by sharing his life scribe pen. If I’d had my wireless connection working at that moment I would have ordered one before he finished talking. Of course it would have been for me not a class of students but I can see all kinds of cool applications for it in the classroom. The technology draws us in, but we need to be always clear as to why and what we are getting on board to. I know some really excellent teachers who use no technology at all in their classrooms. Like with everything, there needs to be balance.

I came across your blog by accident after viewing Heidi’s “What I Want For My Children” video. So, this is a serendipitous visit and I’ve enjoyed catching up with you online.

I love your blog and if it’s okay with you, I’d like to add a link to the PAC’s blog at my son’s online school, EBUS. (I’m PAC chair there this year)

http://ebusblogs.com/epac

I will drop by again soon.

Maureen Bayless

Earlier in your post you say “how much does the digital world and rapid growth in technology help us and how much is it distracting us from what we need to be paying attention to”. This is something I worry about also. I don’t want to be the IT guy that’s responsible for pushing technology into places that it shouldn’t be. I just read an article by Lowell Monke in which he says “preparation does not necessarily warrant early participation” and that has really got my head spinning. I’m thinking that to really educate global citizens they need to first have a firm grounding in their local community and social skills gained through lots of face to face interactions. Especially in elementary schools I wonder whether we need to be very careful how and when we include technology.

I also completely agree with Claire about your last paragraph. I think that being a good role model is one of the most important, core aspects of being a good teacher. I wonder how many of us look after ourselves well enough to be the best we can be.