Technological advances have always dictated the direction taken by societies that adopt them, from the development of the wheel to the advent of the computer age. Our task, as educators, is to see beyond the here and now and become more like visionaries, who help our students adapt to the changing nature of our society and economy. Fifteen years ago, I worked in an international company that, although a fully formed technology operation with sophisticated computerized equipment, still had no presence on the Web. Many of us could see that international transactions were going to move almost entirely to the Internet in the years to come, and we were quickly proven correct in our assessment.
Fast forward to the present, and in several communities where I have observed classroom activity, the resistance to a web presence is shocking. I have met several bright, intrepid teachers who have helped create a technology movement within their schools, but many more are alarmed at the shift to an electronic world. Admittedly, this new world is daunting: so many options from which to choose, so many rabbit holes in which to potentially disappear.
Enter the wonderful world of Judy Arzt! In her article, she not only gives wonderful examples of classrooms that have moved into a constructivist, collaborative, multi-modal atmosphere of learning, she gives an astounding number of links to websites that can help the reticent teacher develop a web presence for their classroom (and perhaps for themselves).
I am charged up! I am invigorated! What do you think?
