2008 MACUL Conference Blog

I had a chance this morning to sit in on Marion Ginopolis’ presentation at the Administrator’s Breakfast. Marion is the director for the Michigan Leadership Improvement Framework Endorsement program (MI-LIFE). A long name yes, but it basically boils down to teaching today’s educational leaders to identify the right ways to help educators teach today’s students. Below are the thoughts and highlights that I took away from the presentation. You can find specific details about the presentation and a copy of it at the MI-LIFE Blog.
The World Has Changed

The world is virtual, digital, and flat. The access to information that we now possess is greater than it has eve been. Collaboration with people around the world is no longer the exception, but the norm.

Our Students Are Different

Our students are plugged in, they’re digital, and their wired. Their relevance is so far from what we as adults determine as relevant that we are at risk of disengaging them, and not providing education that is relevant to them.

Our Schools Haven’t Changed

We’re still teaching with a mostly 19th century approach to leadership and learning. Information is sacred and must be acquired through careful study, reading, and discipline. Unfortunately, that is not how today’s students are programmed to learn.

School Leaders Are The Gatekeepers Of Change

Our school leaders are gatekeeper. That means they control not just what gets blocked, but what is allowed through. Being a gatekeeper means that all leaders must be onboard with the idea of 21st century leadership, allow allow learners and educators to freely pass through those gates that we run across in education.

(5th Truth!) The Digital Divide No Longer Refers Only To Access

The students have access to more information and resources than adults. They know more about the world than we do in some instances.

The presentation finished up with a wonderful video about how institutionalized education here in the U.S. has been struggling since the late 60s to change the way information is disseminated, and how we teach children. We’re trying to move away from the 19th century model of strict hierachy and control of information to a model that is based on collaboration and widely available information. The video then went on to share a number of quite interesting facts about how students in college right now consume media and information. I found it on TeacherTube and posted it below:

Download Video: Posted by edtecher at TeacherTube.com.

This morning I arrived at the Amway Grand after an early morning drive up from the southwest corner of the state. As I walked across the street from the parking lot towards the entrance, I was flooded with memories of past MACUL sessions.

In particular, going to MACUL conferences reminds me of now retired, past MACUL president, Jim Bembenek. He sent me to present at MACUL my first year at Berrien County ISD in 1998.  I was young and green (maybe still am!) and hardly knew where to go and what to do. Jim encouraged me to “increase my statewide presence” and to share what I’ve learned. That first year I had 100 participants in my session, and I’ve been presenting ever since (though with not quite the audience!).

As I headed up the stairs to cross the skywalk to Devos, I could imagine Jim sitting at a table with a group of educators from across the state sharing great stories and the latest educational tips. So many educators have gone before us and laid the foundation for the innovations we enjoy now.

Now I must pay attention in Leslie Fisher’s class on Adobe Photoshop Elements. But today as you arrive at MACUL and start your learning, think about all those great educators we know who have retired. Think about the difference their work made in your life!

We all know that many components are necessary when implementing technology initiatives in schools. Administrative leadership is one of the key components. In case you didn’t know, complimentary conference registrations are being offered to Superintendents and School Board members with each fully-paid two day conference registration from a school district. There will also be a complimentary administrative breakfast the morning of March 6; Marion Ginopolis (MI-Life) will be the guest speaker. Be sure to extend an invitation today!