The real issue for Education in the 21st Century

The real issue for Education in the 21^st Century

-Michael Van Loenen

On Sunday I read a tweet from @edtechsteve ( http://twitter.com/#!/edtechsteve ) that made me stop and re-think my position on the most important issue for education in the 21^st Century.  The tweet was simple, thought provoking, and what I believe to be the absolute foundation for future education policy. 

The tweet read:

Most power doesn’t come from the apps-it comes from kids having access to info in pocket

As a society we have a tendency to get caught up in the rush of the next big thing.  Educators do this for all the right reasons.  We use “this” tool to reach “these” kinds of kids.  We use “that” tool to reach “those” kinds of kids.  We mix this strategy and that strategy.  We use this piece and that piece.  As educators we want to reach as many kids as possible.  We are willing to adapt, change, transform, mould, and tweak our curriculum as often as we need to, hoping to meet the needs of all of our kids.  As those of you with experience know, these innovations are cyclical and many experienced teachers will tell you, there are no new ways of teaching, only new books.

In education we find ourselves on the edge of what might be a seismic shift in American schooling.  I believe there are new ways to teach, I believe that these new ways will require the role of teacher to change and the expectation of the school to change as well.

Back to our tweet, “most power doesn’t come from the apps-it comes from kids having access to info in pocket.”  The most important issue for education in the 21^st Century is access!   Students, parents, communities, schools, and teachers must all have access to technology.  Without access for all we are doomed to fail.  Without access for all we are doomed to create a larger gap in the haves and the have-nots.  Access to technology levels the playing field.

I had a conversation not too long ago with a gentleman that by all measurements would be considered very wealthy.  He has worked hard for his money and has earned his status.  His child does not attend public school, instead his child attends a very exclusive, very traditional, private school.  We were discussing school finance and the issue of technology was brought up.  I talked about all the technology we have on my campus and the different ways in which teachers and students use the tools available.  I talked about the engagement level of the students, the creativity of the projects, and the direction in which we hoped to take our school using technology as the basis.  He listened very intently, acknowledged that it sounded very exciting, but responded in a way I could not have possibly predicted.  He asked “why is all of that necessary?” 

You see to him, access to technology is taken for granted.  He and his family have computers, video cameras, digital cameras, mp3 players, and cell phones with internet access.  Why would a school need to provide all of these things?  Doesn’t everyone already have them?  The answer is a resounding NO!  The truth is, if my school does not provide access to technology, many of my students will never have access to technology. 

Most schools that I am familiar with have access to technology to some degree.  There is a continuum and each school is at a different place on that continuum.   But I don’t believe that kids accessing technology during the day from 8:00-3:00, Monday through Friday, is enough.  Everyone needs 24 hour access to information.

I stumbled across the Khan Academy while surfing the internet the other day.  I won’t bore you with the background, you can get that yourself, but I will say Mr. Khan seems to be a man genuine in his desire to improve education around the world ( http://blog.ted.com/2011/03/09/lets-use-video-to-reinvent-education-salman-khan-on-ted-com/ ).  He has created 1000’s of tutorials in all subject areas that students can access when needed.  He believes, as do several other influential people (Bill Gates included) that his online Khan Academy is the future of education.  However, the use of the Khan Academy and its tools relies on kids having access to technology.  If a child has no internet access, let alone computer access, the Khan Academy does the child no good. 

There are millions of websites dedicated to education.  I am sure that each of these has value and merit and can help a struggling child.  But again, without access, that child will continue to struggle.  Without access for all, the gap widens.  Without access for all we create a class system inside our schools.  Without access for all we facilitate haves and have-nots.

So what is the role of schools, school districts, communities, cities, states, or the country in providing access for all students outside of the school structure?  If we believe that technology can close the gaps in education what should we do to provide access for everyone?