Over the past week I've compiled a short list of potential professional development resources for teachers in my building. While this is by no means a comprehensive list, I thought that the list might be worth sharing. Each of these books, sites, and activities relate to education and technology in some way. I've encouraged each teacher to be proactive as far as their own learning this summer as part of the process of restoring energy and passion for future service.

My friend Alan in California has started to blog. His blog, while not having a long list of posts as of yet, does provide some insights into the work of a technology specialist and the struggle that persists in pushing educational and technological change in our Lutheran schools.

OK....the title is a cheap play on words from the title of a popular Christian book, but it really is appropriate for this post.

Friday was our last day of school for the 2007-2008 term. As a result, my thoughts are turning to more creative and futuristic themes -- themes which get shoved aside when the school year gets busy. One of these thoughts is working through a more intentional analysis of our current church/school website and working on improving this essential ministry tool.

The next online meeting with Dr. Perry Bresemann, Technology Director for Lutheran Schools, will be on Thursday, May 22.  We will gather at the same site: http://breeze.muth.us/techleaders  at 8:30 pm Eastern.  You are welcome to join us and to invite others to attend.  Please remember if you have a headset (microphone and speakers) you will be able to talk to the group members.

Perhaps you have seen this video which is making the rounds in education circles. It is a powerful video in speaking to the changes in education that are essential to best serve our students in preparing them for THEIR future.

The Post-American World is a volume that is getting a lot of buzz in the media and blogosphere these days. This book, written by Newsweek correspondent Fareed Zakaria, studies the fundamental changes taking place in the realms of economics and geopolitics taking place in the world today. The quotes which I've read make it seem like this book is almost a natural follow-up volume to The World is Flat, by Thomas Friedman. I cannot wait to get a full copy of the book in my hands. In the meantime, here are a few quotes from the book, as compiled by the Two Million Minutes blog:

Some of you may have already seen this notice, but there is an online meeting today for all educators in Lutheran schools related to technology, education, and ministry. This meeting is being hosted by Dr. Perry Bresemann, our Synod's School Technology Director. On the agenda for today is a discussion of the format for future meetings, a review of the technology sessions related to NECC in San Antonio in June and July, and a conversation about the possibility of hosting our own Lutheran K-12 online conference.

Please join us at 5 PM Eastern, today, Thursday, May 1st, at http://breeze.muth.us/techleaders.