"Disrupting Class"

[John Crowley]

No, this doesn't have anything to do with rowdy kids. It's about the game-changing innovations in education that people such as Michael Horn predict will radically alter schools, especially high schools. http://www.michaelbhorn.com/

I recently went to a keynote talk he gave to an Education Week tech conference in NJ. He is predicting that about half of all high school courses will be on line, by 2019. He is also making the case that on line learning may be the only consistent way to avoid the reduction in service that will follow the end of the federal stimulus monies.

One of my roles is that of district online learning coordinator. I have found that the organizational skills I employ as a Teacher Librarian have make it possible to run this program.
http://independent.barlow.site.eboard.com

I would be curious to know if others share my beliefs that Horn is basically correct and that Teacher Librarians could view this trend as an opportunity to lead their schools into the future?

Any thoughts?

[Edi Campbell]

I'm on my way to fully read and absorb Horn's site. I do believe education is changing. I think we're in that painful phase of knowing it needs to change, seeing what needs to be done but trying to convince educators and administrators to move in a forward direction.
I am lucky enough to have a principal who is taking strides forward. We're about to adapt a 1:1 computer program, providing all students with a netbook. I don't know what programs the students will be given or what kinds of filters and securities will be implemented (we're an urban system that is extremely top-down in its approach). I see a need for the media center to drastically change its services, but I'm not real sure where/how to tread. I think purchases for a while need to for technology needs rather that print materials. I'm thinking ebooks and databases. More online accessibility for information and storage. Training on how to discern good sources. Docking stations for minidirves and MP3s. Heavier programs for video editing would have to be on desktop computers.
I think. I'm not sure!

[John Crowley]

At least you're thinking the right thoughts. Have you ever developed a strategic plan for your center?

[Arlen Kimmelman]

I read this book this summer, and even sent a note to my superintendent and curriculum coordinator about it. I loved it and its ideas. But we're still tackling unblocking youtube and wikis, so I know they didn't bother delving past my e-mail. In a practical vein, I do beleive we are 'highly qualified' to initate any small steps we can take to support gaps in the curriculum with the online options. If this leads to a chink in the antiquated or costly metaphorical school armor, then, yes, we could be the ones to forge the repairs.

[John Crowley]

I applaud your thinking. I suspect as the online offering become more Web 2.0 based, we will see a big push to offer more virtual learning. It will start with credit recovery, AP courses, and then move into main stream (core) courses. You might want to look at k12.com's Powerspeak, for learning world languages. They are using avatars.

[Pamela Jackson]

Yes. This is going to happen with the workforce reduction and money that is pulled out of education. This was predicted well before Mr. Horn in the historical movement from an agricultural to manufacturing to service to information economy. What is even more interesting is that foreign nations have been vying to compete in providing virtual classrooms for the U.S. Let's see what will happen in the next five years. Classroom caps will be increased next year as states struggle to close the gap of budget deficits. Somehow, in America, we've forgotten that schools have taken over the many social roles in society as well as teaching.

[John Crowley]

When I met with reps from the Virtual High School, they mentioned that they like have the local TL as the online learning coordinator. TL's tend to have a more open schedule and are able to work with administration, teachers, and students. I think, however, that most TL are missing this boat. Since this era of diminishing resources will put pressure to: 1. reduce staff 2. offer more online courses, we TL's are not planning for this transition. We ignore this trend at our own peril. We need to be proactive. However, I don't see many TL preparing for this era of online learning. Do you?