How we can think about teacher as change agent and technology (5P42)

As I read through EDUC 5P42 exit cards I am relieved that you are embracing the content of this course. The cards themselves have a different flavor than the ones from my undergrad class. This is not bad or good – just different. Teaching these courses is constantly a learning experience – as you will see if you read the previous blogs at this address (no need to do this really). I try to describe my teacher thinking as I go along, in hopes that it might be instructive both to understand my goals for students and my own learning as I implement new things. It is always a risky proposition to lay one’s self on the line – but as I read other teacher’s blogs who are in the frontline I am constantly amazed by their courage and insights. Some great blogs are written by some of the people you meet in this book. As well, most of them are very active on Twitter. Over time they have created their own PLNs – often with people all over the world. Tyler gave a very good example of a PLN that is unique to Tyler. Some day he may meet his “colleagues” in person as has happened to most of the people in the book

As technology has become more and more important in the world of education so have these early adopters of technology.   Most of the teachers we encountered actually were very strong at curriculum and assessment.  They were as up on the current philosophy as they were at experimenting with the latest tech app in their classrooms. It was very exciting to listen to them during interviews and actually follow their teacher thinking in their blogs.

We used Michael Fullan’s (2013) framework in the book to make sure we were grounded in theory. He has three “arms”: technology, deep pedagogy and teacher as activist. These are three very interconnected and interesting entities.

Fullan’s philosophy is expressed in this YouTube.  We will see a bit of this in class. 

The teacher as activist is not covered that much in the text. But it is key to success for a new story in education. Fullan – who is an expert in change theory having studied educational change around the world now – believes that change will come from these early adopters. One of his expressions has always been “Ready, Fire, Aim". This means that the best we can do in this rapid time of change is be ready to disrupt the system by firing all kinds of innovation and the finally taking aim with what we find are best practices. This is quite different in nature than waiting for studies to identify best practices that are then recommended for teachers (a not so very old story).  

So I welcome you to join the disrupters to lead the way in innovation who are at the same time accountable.