Dreaming Big at Buffalo Elementary

In order to move forward into 21^st Century learning with the teachers and students of Buffalo Elementary, we must have a vision of where we want to be and a plan on how we are going to get there.  Of course, “there” is a never-ending goal.  As we continue to grow and change, technology and education are being revamped continuously.  In order to prepare our students for this changing world, the leaders of Buffalo Elementary need to pro-actively seek out disruptive innovation opportunities. 

Buffalo ISD leaders need to make a commitment to the 21^st Century skills that students will need to compete and succeed in our changing world.  To launch that commitment, they need to hire a district-level technology director.  This person can be devoted to pro-actively searching out grants and other financial opportunities, providing ongoing professional development to the professionals, and staying abreast of technological trends in education.  I hope to be that person for BISD, but I will continue to work on those same tasks within my duties as Reading and Math Campus Coach until that opportunity becomes available for me.

            In order to best help my organization, I will take advantage of some of the many Web 2.0 tools.  I am a member of the Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA), so I receive the latest research and articles from them monthly.  I also follow several Twitter accounts that regularly tweet about the latest trends and interesting articles.  The Horizon report will be one of the many resources that I follow, and I plan to continue with my blog and my plans for the Dream Big group of educators at my school.

            Along with the Dream Big group, I hope to teach other teachers to use the many resources we have available to us now.  Our campus will best be served by the many tools available for free learning tools on the web.  We have a reliable network, at least two student computers in every classroom, and SMART boards with document cameras in every classroom, too.  We have to break down the barrier that teachers think is holding our school and students back.  Technology isn’t just for the big-city kids.  It is available and accessible for each and every student in our school.  Our disruptive innovation is breaking down that barrier and realizing that we can use these tools, too.

Resources:

21^st Century Fluency Project.  2010.  Infosavvy group.  www.committedsardine.com

Innovation with Ford SYNC

Walking through the State Fair of Texas autoshow, I was introduced to Ford Motor Company’s plan to innovate the communication interaction with our cars in 2007.  Initially launched in the affordable Ford Focus, the SYNC voice-controlled communications and connectivity system enables drivers to operate their Blue-tooth capable digital media players and mobile phones via voice commands or with steering wheel controls.  While greatly influencing my own personal vehicle purchase, the SYNC system has also been installed in more than 2.5 million cars, trucks, and crossovers (Ford Fact Sheet, 2010).  This system combines the features of a digital media player, mobile phone, GPS system, and automobile diagnostic center into one voice-activated piece.  This innovation is already receiving improvements to sustain the innovative qualities.  In 2011, AppLink will launch in the 2011 Fiesta model which will allow drivers to access and control smart phone apps using the SYNC system.  MyFord Touch will be launching in the 2011 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX.  This will replace many of the traditional vehicle buttons with SYNC controlled commands and clear, colorful LCD screens (Ford Fact Sheet, 2010).        

I, too, am looking for new ways to communicate among my campus and school district.  Our district has many great programs, several strong school leaders, and some very talented and creative people.  Unfortunately, we are all feeling pressured to focus on the never-ending TAKS test push.  So much of our time is spent preparing our students to pass the state requirements; we have little time to collaborate on ideas that will bring more than just the basics to our students.   Truly integrating technology is pushed to the backburner because teachers don’t have the time to explore new teaching strategies using the ever-growing technological advances.  Using my blog, I plan to communicate the possibilities that teachers can implement immediately in their classrooms. 

According to Ford market research, 32% of SYNC owners said the SYNC system played an important or critical role in their purchase decision and 60% of the owners are using the voice commands.  If I could get 32% of my campus to read and comment on my blog, then I could start a conversation with my colleagues about technology and the possibilities of today.