Paul Curtis, New Tech Foundation

Dispatch from the 1-1 learning Conference at PSU: Paul Curtis, Chief Innovation and Academic Officer (CIAO), explained that New Tech Foundation was formed to handle all of the site visits related to New Tech High in Napa CA. Has become a professional development organization that can convert schools to 21st Century environments.
RESPECT in 20th Century schools: listen to the teacher. 21st C: cultural shift - no single right answer, trust, responsibility, respect.

Focusing on certain 21st C Skills: Worked with WestEd - what essential skills do you want all Ss to have? Allkids should know and do - every class addresses. Do that now with every school wanting to become like "New Tech High"

Question for CFF Coaches to consider

The March 10, 2008 issue of Teacher Magazine online had a fascinating edited version of a transcript "Are Teachers Ready for 21st Century Learning?" in which members of the Teacher Leaders Network discussed their thoughts and feelings about their reaction to a Karl Fisch blog post from last year, "Is It Okay To Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?"

As I read the article, and then re-read the Fisch post, I was struck by how much more we need to be having discussions about our commitment to, or lack thereof, transforming teaching and learning. Don't get me wrong - I will never, ever say it just takes putting equipment in people's hands. What I want to hear being discussed is, what will we do to make sure every child has a chance to find the spark that ignites a desire to learn? I would like you to read the two items and then vote via SMS in the Poll Everywhere widget at the bottom of this page.

The keynote for PETE&C - Monday

David Pogue, technology critic for the New York Times, delivered an entertaining and thought-provoking keynote to kickoff PETE&C for 2008. He was masterful in both presentation style and content, and he painted a picture of the technology trends he sees. Some of them will impact education, others not so much unless mobile phones are allowed to enter school buildings, and are implemented as learning tools. Concluding with his rendition of "I Bought an iPhone" to the tune of "My Way", acoompanying himself on the piaono, no lewss, made this the most memorable keynote at a conference I've attended in a long time.