Eric Jensen, wrote a book called Super Teaching (to view in google books)  and published it in 1995.  It was and is an interesting read.  I read it five or six years ago while taking a graduate course online from the University of Akron.  I pulled it out tonight to take a look at the section on music...but I got side tracked and re-read "The Game Has Changed".  That is chapter one.  Under the title, "The Information Age" he points out that the "The gap between what's know and what's implemented in schools is wide...enormous Lag time before implementation. In fact, the lag time for innovation within the system is usually 5-10 years for pilot programs, and 10 to 25 years for widespread implementation [in school]."  

Well, 1995 to 2010.  If I added right that is 15 years, correct?  Mike and I talked about doing this blog much sooner, but kids, work and life got in the way.  I read blog after blog about how teachers are using technology and engaging kids in new and innovative ways.  I often get overwhelmed about what is on the web and how teachers are using technology to engage kids.  Then I look at my local area and realize that is not the world for many  students in today's public schools.  My own kids, 10, 8, 5 do not use technology in school in a ubiquitous way.  They "sometimes" search the web, play an educational game or maybe get some free time to "play" on the computer.  Their school has not implemented technology in a widespread manner.  I have two major cities within 30 miles of my house (Akron and Cleveland) and I believe (do not know this for sure), that technology has not been implemented widespread in these districts.   That is over 75,000 kids.  They each have magnet schools that focus on technology (STEM Schools--Akron Beacon Journal article on STEM middle school: one, two and Newsweek article on the school in Akron: three ), but in the rest of the schools I am not sure how widespread technology use is.  We are planning webshows with administration and teachers at both districts to address some of these issues and to better understand what is going on in Cleveland and Akron(time and date TBA).

As a teacher of middle school students and professor at the university, I see both worlds: kids at work in public schools and graduate students in the field.  I understand the financial difficulty districts are having, but I also understand the need for investments in the future of this country.  As Eric Jensen pointed out, as a society a great deal of change should be coming in the education field in the next 10 years.  I just hope it comes soon enough for my children. 

And for those of you blogging and using technology in your classroom or district keep leading the way for others to follow.