If you think schools are in the midst of a doo-doo storm right now, just wait til…
The eBook platform is coming to schools. For sure.
When is another story; if is not.
Like most forms of great change, there are those who will embrace it with open arms, those that will bounce back and forth between liking what is new and missing what’s old, and those that will poo-poo the new and hold on to the old for all sorts of reasons which they believe are quite well-justified.
All I can say about that is, if you think schools are in the midst of a doo-doo storm now, just wait til the inevitable migration to digital text knocks on your classroom door.
A breath of fresh air for some. A moment of great change (and challenge) for others. A discombobulating nightmare for some really, really good teachers, too.
I guess that is why I am gearing up now to bring folks PD. Cause schools are gonna need it for, if the teacher who is expected to make the jump to digital text does not have the skill set to work with and navigate digital text, pain will ensue… and the kids will suffer.
In some cases it will even render the capable incapable. (In war, I think they call that term collateral damage.)
Me, I am excited to see America re-invent our schools. We need it. But pie-in-the-sky visions of this being easy are my Achille’s heel. Theoretically, it will all be sold to us as seamless. In reality, there are gonna be lumps.
I am curious as to your opinion regarding the National Curriculum Standards that are coming out…especially as the Fed Gov seems to be attaching Race to the Top monies for those who are willing to implement them. You have written quite a bit about books vs. ebooks… I am curious as to how the National Curriculum could impact that idea in schools…especially as California and Texas lead the way with “leading around” the textbook companies for content… And after the recent bru-ha-ha in Texas regarding history curricula and the trickle down impacts of that nationally.
I remember the days when computers were first delivered to my school. They were Apple IIEs. Teachers had been given absolutely no training. The software available was obtained from a consortium in Minnesota called MECC. Of course, there was no hard drive. I was one of those who jumped on board immediately. I asked my principal if I could take at least one to my room to start using. (They were just sitting in the media center.) I blazed that trail. Now, look where we are.
I do agree that there must be PD with ebook textbooks for teachers and students. I predicted years ago students would be issued laptops with texts included. I didn't forsee Ipads.
It will happen and those teachers who are twitters, bloggers, have PLN, etc. will accept willingly. Just like everything else, it will be something new. Some teachers will have to be pulled long, but it will happen. I believe someone said, Change is a process-not an event.”
I am curious as to your opinion regarding the National Curriculum Standards that are coming out…especially as the Fed Gov seems to be attaching Race to the Top monies for those who are willing to implement them. You have written quite a bit about books vs. ebooks… I am curious as to how the National Curriculum could impact that idea in schools…especially as California and Texas lead the way with “leading around” the textbook companies for content… And after the recent bru-ha-ha in Texas regarding history curricula and the trickle down impacts of that nationally.
I remember the days when computers were first delivered to my school. They were Apple IIEs. Teachers had been given absolutely no training. The software available was obtained from a consortium in Minnesota called MECC. Of course, there was no hard drive. I was one of those who jumped on board immediately. I asked my principal if I could take at least one to my room to start using. (They were just sitting in the media center.) I blazed that trail. Now, look where we are.
I do agree that there must be PD with ebook textbooks for teachers and students. I predicted years ago students would be issued laptops with texts included. I didn’t forsee Ipads.
It will happen and those teachers who are twitters, bloggers, have PLN, etc. will accept willingly. Just like everything else, it will be something new. Some teachers will have to be pulled long, but it will happen. I believe someone said, Change is a process-not an event.”