Thanks so much for bringing these two threads together. I have a question
for you that goes back to your first post in this thread. You finished that
post with this great sentence.
I could certainly infer that these projects have improved teaching and
> learning or they would not be mentioned, but it would be fascinating to hear
> how that improvement has occurred.
>
This begs the question of how do you define improvement? What are the
measures?
By the way, I'm not so much calling for an effort to rebuild schools from
scratch but rather to rethink the existing designs. When Charles Eliot
redesigned Harvard to create the modern university he built on what was
already there.
This 2004 article in the Times referenced below continues to have a lot of
relevance to this discussion.
I'm interested in working with others to reimagine the 'organizational
capital' of schools.
Fred
On Tue, Dec 15, 2009 at 10:06 AM, Backon, Joel <jbackon@choate.edu> wrote:
> Hi Tom,
>
> I agree with much of what you say and I've seen Fred Bartel's posts
> suggesting "let's rebuild a school from scratch." I think both your remarks
> and Fred's initiative are always useful ways of thinking about what we do.
> If we don't think outside the box, who will? The reality is that whatever we
> come up with, we are years away from agreement on concept to reality. So,
> I'm thinking we have to make the best of the organizations, infrastructures,
> and experience sets that we have. While they may not be ideal for
> constructivist or student-centered approaches to learning, I'm looking for
> significant incremental changes that will convince those that are more
> reluctant to change that technology has a key role in improving teaching and
> learning. That was the source of my question. Castells' suite of books has
> been published for some time, and as good as it is, has made little impact
> on anybody outside the technology circles in independent schools and higher
> education. Careers ago, I was told by a sales manager, "If you want to make
> money, learn to sell what we make, not what you think we should make." Yes,
> I'd love a revolution, but I'll settle for a good skirmish. BTW, the
> edACCESS influence is evident in your remarks.
>
> Joel
>
>
>
--
Fred Bartels
Dir. of Info. Tech.
Rye Country Day School
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