I recall being struck by Tom Peters' urging leaders to 'act' to make changes necessary for success on the business front.  His comments about getting ready and then 'firing' - that is taking action - resonate among education practitioners particularly now, with the United States economy desperately seeking a competitive workforce.  However, many are talking about engaging funds and time to 'research' what we need to do to transform schools. It is necessary for us to thoughtfully focus on the purpose, efficacy and influence of much of the research being applied in schools.

This week I was involved in an incredible learning community of over 90 educators centered around Daniel Pink's book A Whole New Mind.

The book talks about how the two hemispheres of our brain work differently. The left side of the brain processes numbers, words, logic, lists, details and order. The right side of the brain processes pictures, imagination, color, rhythm, space, and global thinking. The premise of the book is that the convergence of three global trends: abundance, Asia, and automation are leading to a transition from the Information Age to the rise of a new Conceptual Era. Pink includes six types of right brain thinking that are needed to compete in the Conceptual Era. The six types of thinking include: Design, Story, Empathy, Symphony, Play and Meaning. 

Michigan Online Resources for Educators (M.O.R.E.)

Ten years ago if a student was asked to draw a picture of a library the student would have probably drawn a large building filled with bookshelves and a librarian at the front desk checking out books. Today the picture would probably look vastly different with the new drawing including a student in front of a computer looking at books online. Over time as technology has advanced, many resources have moved forward into the digital age. Today countless resources are found on the internet.

So many schools are "moving to one-to-one," as though it is some sort of destination.  One-to-one isn't a destination, it is a starting point that requires a tremendous amount of effort to maintain sustainable innovation.  That's a tough concept.  What is sustainable innovation?  I've managed one-to-one programs at three different schools over the last 13 years.  Launching a one-to-one is hard.  It is a major innovation for any school.  How do you keep it fresh?  When is the right time to change the devices, the software, the PD model?

The second program I launched used Linux and Open Source software on the laptops.  Many in education equate Open Source with "free."  However, it is the freedom, not the "free-ness" of Open Source that makes it a model for sustainable innovation.

You're invited to our 2011 Great Lakes1:1 Computing Conference on December 1-2, 2011 to be held at the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa.This third annual conference provides hands-on practical experiences for administrators, technology directors and teachers.
 

REGISTER NOW 

Thank you for interest in 1:1 initiatives, and I look forward to seeing you at the Grand Geneva this December!