Earlier this year, our administrative team participated in a book study entitled, "Inevitable." I found it very interesting and it has influenced my mind-set on future changes that will take place in the educational world. One of the first themes of the book is, "The world is changing...no, excuse us, it's not changing - it already has changed!" I find that statement to be very true. As I observe the students of Hallsville and watch the tasks that our teachers are giving them, I reflect on the education I received. Research that would have taken me weeks to gather, students today can gather in minutes. The textbook is becoming obsolete. The class we looked forward to was 'typing' and using the manual typewriter was "groovy."  The accomplished typing students were allowed to use one of the electric type writers (my best time was 19 words per minute) as advanced learning. Now I look at the Intermediate students and their computer skills - wow. Their computer skills are more advanced that many of us experienced during high school.

It makes me think that if our public schools do not change how we do business, we will not prepare our students for the future. Technology is transforming our lives in so many aspects. The question many schools are asking is do we encourage use of technology or not?  It amazes me how many schools do not allow students to use technology. Technology is not going to disappear. Technology also changes so quickly that it can be difficult to keep up. We must teach our students how to use technology and how to use it responsibly. The job of the school is constantly evolving. We now have several new ways to customize and personalize learning to the individual student. We must stop looking at "seat time" and start looking at what a student has learned and how that student can demonstrate they have learned in multiple venues. This is a challenge for the educational system since it is relatively new and keeping up with new technology is also expensive.