ISTE Proposal: Beyond Tools: Thoughtful 21st Century School Reform

So here is one of what may be two proposals for ISTE this year... I've also been asked to be on a panel, so we'll see... but this proposal is a version of what I've been thinking and writing and talking about for the past few years, and with the current political winds, I think it is all the more urgently needed.

Session Description: To have a say in the school reform debate, we must articulate a clear vision of what 21st Century schools can be. Join the conversation.

Purpose & Objectives: What is the defining vision of the 21st Century school, and how do we create schools that can realize that vision? Can we build a pedagogical framework that allows all stakeholders to use technology to change the way we think about schools and create a transformative experience for all involved? Examine the issues of school design, staff development,
curriculum design, technology infrastructure, home and school interaction and administrative functionality in a One-to-One
environment to make the true 21st Century school a reality.

Outline: The format will be an interactive session where attendees are presented with questions about the functionality of schools as they try to adapt for the 21st Century. Attendees will have a "front-loading" short lecture (5-10 minutes) with each issue and then be asked to work in small groups to come up with a vision of each aspect of school life in a 21st Century model.