Every year, I give an update on technology in our district. The update is presented at the district Board meeting. Board meetings are public and broadcast. One of my favorite sections is the question and answer after the presentation. That is when I find out just how successful I’ve been at the presentation. I look for the questions that the Boards asks. On point follow up questions to what I presented provide feedback that I was clear and engaging.
I also look forward to the write up in the local paper. It’s also of interest to read what the reporter thought was the most important (or interesting) points. Sometimes these line up nicely. I’m pleased with the way that the latest presentation lined up in the news story.
Katie Hetrick captured my hope that YouTube filters will eventually progress so that we can have multiple levels of approval. Currently, all videos are either approved or not. There is no way of approving a video for high school students but not elementary students.
Ms. Hetrick also quoted me when I said, “Our goal is to use technology to leverage learning for students”. I’m please that they quoted this because this is a core belief for me. Technology use shouldn’t be about using technology, but about student learning.
Additionally, I was quoted as saying that “we are not about doing cool stuff just to do cool stuff”. Again, this is a core belief for me. I’m really pleased that that stood out. Also captured was the concept that technology should do one of two things: solve a problem or provide new opportunities (which was written as “improve instruction” but that’s close enough).
The one part that I’m afraid may not have come across too clearly was my dry comment of “I don’t know if you know this, but there is some inappropriate stuff on YouTube”. I’m afraid that written out this way it loses the context that it was a intended to be a joke. Our Board is very bright. It was intended (and taken) as a dry, inside joke.
All in all, I’m happy with the write up – even if the restorative practice presentation got top billing.
If I can get out the message that technology needs to have a reason, that we will pursue technology where it makes sense, and that we will always keep student learning in mind first and foremost, well, I’ll take that.
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