This winter I had the opportunity to present with a group of esteemed and renown professionals in the field of education at a TEDxPrincetonLibrary Salon. Each of us, although representing different aspects/walks of life in education, encouraged the use of creative tools to enhance student learning in the classroom. I spoke about infusing technology into the curriculum and the challenges teachers and school leaders have in doing so today. Following me, Edward Tenner, a handwriting historian, discussed the continuing role handwriting has in the curriculum and Caroline Phinney, lifelong educator, discussed the importance of incorporating play in early childhood education.
The series of talks and discussion afterwards reminded me of the importance of being a lifelong learner. We have to continue to evolve and re-invent ourselves as we progress through life. Steven Convey says highly effective people must continue to “sharpen the saw”. According to the Harvard Business Review article “The Future of Shopping”, by 2014 almost every mobile phone in the United States will be a smartphone connected to the Internet, and an estimated 40% of Americans will use such tablets as the iPad. With that kind of progress, we need to stay on top of the latest trends, and be aware of how they will be infused into today’s culture, including today’s schools.
Many politicians have weighed in on the current climate of education in the United States. Just a week ago, 10 states were granted waivers to the No Child Left Behind Act giving them a chance to meet the needs of their students in their districts using different means. Governors in these states have the needs of their schools at heart. And GOP presidential hopeful Rick Santorum drove home his stance on today’s education system stating that he would home-school his kids if he were elected president. The Los Angeles Times stated in a recent article that “while industry has evolved, the U.S. public education system has remained “stuck in the factory era.” Santorum seems to echo this sentiment.
To stay fresh, we have to be out there, this includes educators. We have to up up on the current perspectives in education by reading, taking classes, attending workshops, listening to our students and kids, and putting ourselves on the social media sites. We can’t ignore what’s happening today in education, we have to be a part of the greater good and support our schools and legislation that will help our students grow academically, socially, and emotionally.
Posted by scarbonaro 
