Sharpening the Saw

This week has been a really different one....I got to be a learner, as well as a teacher. After teaching my WMU seminar on Wednesday, I left for the national ASCD conference in Washington, DC. The theme for this week has been "21st Century Learning", and I've really had my thinking challenged, especially about the new ways that technology can be used so well to enhance learning.

Heidi Hayes Jacobs challenged us this morning by asking, "What year are you preparing your learners for?" and then presented some dynamic ideas about web2.0 experiences that kids should be having in classrooms. It was so interesting and so stimulating to be exposed to such a forward thinker! I'm interested in tying her ideas into the courage concept: that educators of the future will need courage and integrity to re-vision our systems so that they meet the needs of today's students. Lots to think about!

Tomorrow we'll hear Mike Schmoker---another one of my favorite presenters, and he too will be talking about what the future holds. I'm feeling lucky to have had the opportunity to "sharpen the saw" this week, and take part in some learning that will enrich my work. Oh---and the crab cakes on the banks of the Potomac weren't bad, either!