Comments on: ISTE 2010 conference keynote: The gloves are off!

By: Sloane

Sloane — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

@ Dan McGuire / current leaders : The Innovator’s Dilemma : For enemies he has those who have done well in the old system and for friends those who watch by the sidelines, sit on the fence until it is clear the direction the wind will blow.

By: Tim

Tim — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

Actually, I like my proposal better than either of them.
http://iste2010.uservoice.com/pages/30480-iste-2010-conference-keynote-topic-suggestions/suggestions/352633-why-has-technology-affected-so-little-change-on-teaching-and-learning-?ref=title

I do agree with Scott, however, that a ISTE keynote is not the place to be pushing tools over big ideas. A keynote presentation should challenge the audience to reflect on their practice and suggest ways of improving it, not giving them new toys to play with.

By: Kevin Honeycutt

Kevin Honeycutt — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

I like your proposal and agree that it would be a great keynote. I don’t want to take off my gloves and go bare knuckles here. Maybe this is more like a friendly downhill slalom. I do find this process interesting thought. I wish the proposal that is doing well for me had been the one I eventually added called “peripheral learners” but such is life. If yours wins I will be happy, If one of mine is even considered, I will be happy. Good luck Scott!

By: Dan McGuire

Dan McGuire — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

I really like your proposal, Scott, and I also like the aggressive way you’re promoting the topic. The problem that I see is that many current leaders got where they are by being able to navigate the current organizational structures. 21st communications tools will radically change those structures. It’s like the king promoting the abolition of the monarchy.

By: Scott

Scott — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

@Francine: I agree that teachers are hemmed in. The folks who are doing the hemming are our leaders (administrators, policymakers). Thus the need for a great presentation that highlights what effective school tech leadership SHOULD look like…

@Kevin: Yeah, even tongue-in-cheek, the ‘gloves off’ metaphor probably wasn’t the best one to choose! It was meant to show that I needed to ramp up my efforts, not that you and I are in opposition. I hope your suggestion makes the top 5 too (’cause then it will really be fun to see speaker nominations!).

@Dan: Trying to be assertive, not aggressive. I agree with you that reinventing schools also means reinventing ourselves as leaders. That’s complex, difficult work and many either are not up for it or, as you note, are not inclined to go there.

By: diane

diane — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

Let’s remember that we’re suggesting topics, not people. Although the two are surely linked, the ISTE committee could conceivably decide that Kevin might be the best one to deliver Scott’s proposed Keynote address – or vice versa!

By: jgoodreau

jgoodreau — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

I agree that there should be more discussion about formal leadership and it’s importance in reforming education. I am an educator and researcher in the fine arts AND in technology – both areas where reform is greatly needed. My research and the research of many others in the field point to the need for system-wide leadership in reform efforts and that individual leadership does not necessarily lead to lasting change. The principals and superintendents are important, but the leadership scope must grow. How do you include collaborations of superintendents? How do you include policy makers in the discussion?

That said, I’ve been to ISTE several times and the conference is largely attended by teacher and tech-coordinators in my experience. So while I feel a leadership keynote is needed, I understand WHY teachers and tools is popular – that is the largest audience segment.

By: Francine Podenski

Francine Podenski — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

Am *not* impressed with the teacher bashing comments on the leadership side of the argument. Teachers have been hemmed in within the K-12 environment from all I have heard. The *art* of teaching has been replaced with a strictly behavioral approach preparing students for lots of tests (leave no child ….) . Students aren’t learning to actually THINK anymore! Why not a third idea for a Keynote added to the mix: “Reclaiming the ART of Teaching and Learning in the Digital Age”??

By: Jeannine St. Amand

Jeannine St. Amand — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

Scott – I’ve done what I can with my votes so I’ll weigh in with my comments…

Vision is key to reform, and the job of setting vision is given to “leaders”. So whether one is a formal or informal leader, whether one has influence at the school, district, board, provincial or state level it is the vision of our leaders that will get us (or not)to where we need to go in education.

Through the educators I follow on Twitter I can see how valuable NECC has been in informing/transforming their practices.

With a keynote on Leadership ISTE might attract those of us tasked with setting vision to attend. I’d love to be able to go to Denver in 2010, but if ALL the sessions are aimed at practitioners it will be hard to make my case.

The conference keynote exercise is interesting to watch, and a lot of good suggestions on tweaking your topic have been made. I truly hope people get on board with dedicating at least one keynote to Leadership – the transformation will indeed take more than tools.