Educational Reform for the Digital Era

     Through a friend of a friend I learned about a group of educators in DC that strive towards making positive improvements in education and educational policy.  Through that group I heard about a discussion being held at the Fordam Institute, "Educational Reform for the Digital Era".  I will share some of the big take-aways I got from the discussion.
     John Chubb stated that "Technology can motivate and engage in ways that classroom instruction can not."  I completely agree with this statement.  Following the believes of Tapscott, in Grown Up Digital, students today are wired very differently that students in the past.  As educators, if we want to effectively reach our students we need to tune in to what they are interested in and what motivates them if we are to reach them.  Chubb continued to to support this explaining a center model where students meet small group with a teacher, perform on-line tasks, and do independent work.  I have used this model in the past very effectively.  Though as a word of caution, computer time needs to be properly prepared and designed.  Computers are not baby sitters, and can be very powerful learning tools if used appropriately.  Chubb supported this by reiterating that ALL learning must be scaffolded, be it on-line or in person.
     Mark Baurlein argued that digital technology will not aid student engagement as students will be using the same tools as they use in a social setting.  I disagree with this statement.  With the new digital tools and social learning, there needs to come new curriculum and rules of engagement.  Students need to be taught the appropriate use of the tools within an intellectual setting versus in a social setting.  For example, this panel used Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook for presentation and background discussion.  These tools are very much labeled as social tools, but can be very informative when used correctly in the intellectual setting.  Students just need to be taught rules of engagement.  One of the other panelists (I forget if it was John Chubb or Bryan Hassel) agreed with this, stating that these tools need to be a part of serious life as well as social life, and it is "a challenge for educators to figure out how to make technology work for schools or school will become irreleveant to students."  That is a very powerful statement, and I would say very true.  If we don't adapt our teaching practices and educational strategies to fit the needs of today's learner we will see a lot less student engagement and a lot more students checking out.
     The discussion continued into thoughts about how teachers can be used more effectively while promoting an opportunity culture within education, increasing technology use, and decreasing work force to balance budgets.  I am not going to comment too much on this prior to doing more background research.  Though I will say that MAJOR changes would need to take place within education and teacher work loads for this to happen. 
    Overall I felt the discussion was spot on regarding current issues and changes that need to be implemented.  However, I believe the road will be long and challenging to implement those changes.  And I would hope that those making the decisions would consult those in the trenches to gain and understanding of what impact and repercussions  their decisions may have on those the decisions effect most.