Tech-Savvy Superintendents Announced!
Our Tech-Savvy Superintendent search is over and I'm very excited for the opportunity to interview and share their programs with you!
In February, you'll meet Dr. John Cruz from Fowler Unified School District. Fowler USD is comprised of six schools (K-12) and 2200 students, representing the communities of Fowler and Malaga. On the Fowler USD website, Dr. Cruz describes "technology as central to our academic mission. All schools are wired for Internet access and the district is now expanding its technology capabilities through Smartboard and Promethean Board training." Listen to his interview!
In March, Mr. Ralph Vigil of West Park Elementary School District will share the innovative efforts of his district despite their small size. West Park has made great gains in technology and supports a high tech computer learning center on its campus. A primary mission of West Park is to enrich and enhance the education and enable students to be successful in high school, college and the workforce. Listen to his interview!
In April, Mr. Ed Gonzalez of American Union Elementary School District will share all about his district's integration of interactive whiteboards in each grade-level as well as how he tackles the challenge of training teachers on the latest emerging technology and integration strategies! Listen to his interview!
Stay tuned, aspiring EdTech leaders surely won't want to miss these interviews!
Back to Basics
When will we and by we I really mean educators start talking about things other than technology. We cannot live by technology alone and certainly we all see that kids are not learning some of the basic skills needed in todays world just because of technology.
When will we get off the technology bandwagon and get real.
These kids today are coming into my office looking for work but they haven't a clue as to how to spell or use proper english but they know how to use the internet. They know how to give change at McDonalds but only if they have a cash register that will tell them the answer. They can tell you who the sixteenth president was but only if they have access to a computer. They can tell you what the seven wonders of the world are using the same tools but lose sight of what other things might comprise some other seven wonders.
When are schools going to teach our kids about things other than how to take a test?
Sure, we can teach them how to study but not what questions are going to be on a test to exit school or to bring test scores up.
Give me the days of wood shop and automotive shop and humanity classes. Maybe when we start teaching about life we can expect our kids to respect life.
I must finally be getting old if I now feel I should be telling our administrators how to think.
I see all your I.T. guys getting more an more powerful within your own districts and everything they say is the gospel or what they say they need they get. All in the name of technology. You're getting taken for a ride. You are all on a budget and yet you spend thousands of dollars on things that could be had for less but because (they) say you need this brand and only this brand you buy into it.
The more Cisco you buy the more you will end up paying in the long run. You just don't know it.
Gentlemen get back to basics and teach the kids more than how to run to a computer for answers.
America needs thinkers and deserves more than what our schools are putting out.
From one old grape picker.
Back to Basics
Old Grape Picker-
There are some flaws in your "basic skills" of the English language, but those aside I am most confused by the following quote-
"When are schools going to teach our kids about things other than how to take a test?
Sure, we can teach them how to study but not what questions are going to be on a test to exit school or to bring test scores up."
Which do you want schools to do? Teach students to think or pass the test? Or both, which is what is usually the goal of using technology. I will tell you I am a 40 year old college graduate with a good career and I have NEVER been called on to know the 16th president of the U.S. Mindless trivia like that is best reserved for computers, as well as making change for your Big Mac. We need students who know when and how to use the Internet to get information and to use their brain for more creative endeavors.
I am in complete agreement that technology is not the end all and students need basic skills, but I am also tired of people attacking "technology" when they do not understand that the world has changed since they were in school. America needs thinkers who know how to use the resources available to them.
In Response...
If you take a listen to each of the podcasts by these hardworking and committed Superintendents, you'll hear that they are not talking about technology alone. They are talking about citizenship, literacy, and basic skills.
"Technology Bandwagon?"
I'm sorry to inform you sir, but that type of idiom has no place in the 21st Century. Perhaps the "Technology Super Hornet," would work better. You might want to look both ways before you cross this information super highway.
Not everyone is ready for change.
Lastly, in your future efforts to criticize another person's command of the English language, please remember that the word "English" and "Internet" are both capitalized.
From one grape picker's daughter.