No Karen - you are not the only optimistic one in the room. I remain so despite some of the comments that I hear, some from those that are suppose to be leading this very movement.
"I agree with everything you say, from death and taxes to the importance of interinstitutional inspiration. I think this is the best time, ever, to be a learner.
But the politics around K-12 are just awful. There's a bipartisan consensus about reforming schools, which means bypassing if not breaking unions (Steve Jobs liked this). There's the budget crisis. And also a lack of public faith in schools - worse than I've ever experienced."
Another had told me, "You have everything you need but it won't ever happen. The system is to embedded in steel to change."
And the teacher reasons for not becoming involved are placed at the feet of the assessments, AYP, they can't handle doing anything more, ....
We have the technology, we have the educational resources, we have the foundation to build on, and we are beginning to get international educators interested in designing.
We can create the tool that will address the budget crisis by lowering the cost of teaching materials. We have the ability to allow students to work at their own pace and at the academic level thus eliminating 95% of the behavior problems that plague our classrooms. Teachers thinking of leaving the field frustrated and burn-out can once again find enjoyment in their job - and success will be experienced by all.
And it wouldn't be adding more of a work load but giving them the opportunity to design them differently to be used not only by their students but by students around the world. I would think being part of a global movement towards making changes for our 21st century learners to much more productive then finding excuses to do nothing.
Harry Blake and P2PU are collaborators with K12 Next Generation. It would seem like this month of "Connecting Educators" a perfect time to unite.
Tracy
