What do you think is the most challenging issue in education today?
I'm going to approach this from an education with technology standpoint. I feel the biggest challenge to education with technology is the rush to adopt technology without a systematic, though-out approach. We know that kids love using devices, so we want to immediately give them a device and say GO. The difficulty is that the way we use devices outside of school is not the way we use devices in school. We do nothing to help students and teachers understand the difference, and then get upset when kids use the device for Facebook, Twitter, and games only. Yes, Los Angeles School District, I'm talking to you.
Our biggest challenge with integrating technology is slowing down and doing it right. We have to make sure we have solid foundations for our technology initiatives. How will we address student privacy? How will we address digital citizenship? How will we address instruction? How will communicate with stakeholders? How will address sustainability? How will we be sure that these devices will lead to achievement? These questions and so many others must be answered before we ever roll out a device.
Most importantly, we have to place instruction and learning before the device. What great teaching and learning is taking place? What's not working? How will technology make the teaching and learning more efficient, effective, and engaging? Our technology initiative is never about the device. It's about making our teaching and learning more efficient, effective, and engaging.
Technology makes people uncomfortable. When we rush to adopt a device without making people comfortable with the technology, it won't work. Our technology initiative isn't rushing because we want sustained, supported digital transformation. We want technology that is so embedded in our teaching and learning, we don't even think about it. To get there, we have to take the time to do it right. This challenge is our opportunity to make awesome things happen.