Forced Introduction

Hello, My name is Martin and I am a concerned parent whose children attend public school in Missoula.

While I do have an above-average interest in instructional technology, I am really just looking for leadership from those who are or should be on the cutting edge of educational tech. I travel quite a bit and see many wonderful integrations of tech beyond the traditional desktop PC. I see educational transformations taking place with digital devices from speicalized video cameras to iPads, and share that with other parents and teachers. Often the excitement brews as the potential of the tech materializes into practice.

But then something happens. It is as if the different technology is competing with the old to the extent that a wall of excuses is put up preventing implementations from moving forward, or any benefits from being realized. I have trouble viewing new tech as a threat, but as some of you have pointed out, I don’t run the school network. But I do pay for it. And I do have the same high expectations for those running it as I do for those whose job it is to teach with it.

Lately I have noticed an increased pressure from the network-side to direct aspects of curriculum. Intended or not, that is essentially taking the decision-making and control out of the hands of the teachers, curriculum directors, and School Boards, which I view as very dangerous. As a parent, I have deep concerns when limits are placed upon the tools teachers can use to teach. And it makes me mad to hear directors of technology and network administrators make fun of the very teachers and administrators that are literally counting on them for support. And if the teachers cannot turn to you, then they will turn somewhere else. I believe that is what is happening.