Barnaby Wasson’s Interview with Kurt Steinhaus

The latest from the Apple Distinguished Educators Podcast, an interview between Barnaby Wasson’s and ISTE President, Kurt Steinhaus. First of all, I want to say that this is a wonderful service. The information infrastructure has expanded in many ways, mostly over the last few months, and we are beginning to see some amazing ways to expand the benefits of the conference beyond its place and time. These post-conference podcast interviews are a wonderful example. I hope to find time to start posting some of my much more floor level interviews soon. but for now, go to the ADE Podcast page (http://necc.dmit.asu.edu/) and listen or subscribe with your favorite Podcatching aggregator.

Note: Italics indicates my thoughts and my terms.

Steinhaus’ first statements were that we have to communicate with parents and grand parents. Those who talk about integrating technology, are only a very small portion of the population who influences how and what we teach. How true this is. Teachers are an easy sell (mostly). How do we convince the community at large that the classrooms that they attended are not adequate to their children’s education needs.

Barnaby says that the three Rs are crucial, along with technology. How do we reconcile with dwindling funds. Kurt says that he can see $1000 of need for every dollar appropriated. He also mentioned a Making the case tool Kit. I need to learn more about this. Can anyone share with me some information about the Making a case tool Kit Kurt went on to as the core question. What are the implications of doing nothing regarding modernizing classrooms?

He ends this section by urging us and policy makers that it isn’t just about student achievement. Retooling classrooms regards a triangle of stakeholders. It’s about improving the quality of the (1) teacher, the involvement and contribution of the (2) parent, and the learning that happens with (3) students.

Barnaby then turns on the devil. How does this reconcile with NCLB.

NCLB isn’t the devil. The fundamental ideas behind NCLB, according to Steinhaus, are things that we agree on. Technology is there, and ISTE fits in with every element as an integral part. Technology needs to be there to help the teacher do the business of teaching and to promote learning. It’s there for collecting the data. But you have to be able and be compelled to turn that data around so that you can use it to determine best practices.

Also with the emphasis on assessment, not just the Yearly Adequate Progress but also short cycle “constructive response” assessments, technology can plug directly into this, again, to turn it around and promote better teaching and learning.

What I missed here was reference to the “what we teach.” Kurt very effectively answered the question from the perspective of the International Society for Technology in Education. But my pitch is, “what has technology done to the nature of information, and how are we addressing this changing nature of information (New Shape of Knowledge) in what and how we teach?” New literacy, 21st century skills, information skills — I would have been happier hearing mention of any of these. But again, I suppose that wasn’t what Barnaby was asking.

Finally, Wasson asks about NECC. What does Steinhaus hope for attendee’s from the national conference and take back to their local chapters and their local conferences.

I’m not sure that Kurt answer the question that I heard, though he may have answered the one that was asked. We A.D.D. folks don’t always here the same things as others.

Kurt did list three fundamental elements of attending any conference, whether it be national or local, and NECC certainly models all three.

1. The success of a conference depends partly on who you met, who you connected with, who you’re going to follow up with.
2. Is a transformation happening? Did you get your batteries recharged?
3. Are teachers learning something that they can use on Monday morning? I would expand that to, have all attendees taken home a solution to a problems or at least a different way to ask the question?

Steinberg ends with a plea for all of us to join ETAN (Ed Tech Action Network). I would second and third that.