I have been meeting with and receiving workshop proposals from more and more teachers lately as a result of my organising this conference. What this has lead me to see is the stark difference between how schools view the use of 21st Century tools for learning. Some schools are right behind the use of Web2.0 tools in the classroom, interactive technologies for learning, etc.  In other schools, teachers are complaining about the daily battle that they have in trying to get the Senior Management Teams of the school to even understand that a shift away from textbook teaching may be a good idea.

I wonder if the message is getting out there to school leaders? It appears that we may be destined for a class of schools that are going down the 21st century learning line and those that will firmly resist this until the inevitable forces them to change.  You can find many postings like this on the internet about Hong Kong Education.

Another thing that set me thinking was the webcast last night from digital chalkie. This may not be posted yet but I loved the introductory notes copied from this site. The main part of the dialog runs like this:

Let’s have a little competition at school and get ready for the future. I will use a laptop and you will use paper and pencil. Are you ready…?

I will access up-to-date information – you have a textbook that is 5 years old.
I will immediately know when I misspell a word – you have to wait until it’s graded.
I will learn how to care for technology by using it – you will read about it.
I will see math problems in 3D – you will do the odd problems.
I will create artwork and poetry and share it with the world – you will share yours with the class.
I will have 24/7 access – you have the entire class period.
I will access the most dynamic information – yours will be printed and photocopied.
I will communicate with leaders and experts using email – you will wait for Friday’s speaker.
I will select my learning style – you will use the teacher’s favorite learning style.
I will collaborate with my peers from around the world – you will collaborate with peers in your classroom.
I will take my learning as far as I want – you must wait for the rest of the class.
The cost of a laptop per year? – $250
The cost of teacher and student training? – Expensive
The cost of well educated citizens and workforce? – Priceless

For me, this just about says it all. I wonder how we get the word out to school leaders? I spend my days knocking on doors that are mostly closed to me!