Conversations

I am convinced that through conversations like these we, as educators in Lutheran schools, can work together to build consensus for the future direction of education and technology in our schools. However, these conversations need to be between more than just two people. We need educators from all disciplines, from all regions of the country, and from all grade levels to be a part of this discussion. Each teacher has so much to offer, whether they are experienced in utilizing technology or not, and we need to learn from each other more than ever before. No longer is our classroom our own little island. If we don't utilize technology to open the world to our students and to better prepare them for their futures, we are doing them a disservice.

Over the next week or two, I'll be writing more about this the theme of conversations. In my mind, here are some of the issues which hinder these essential conversations from occurring:

• Many don't feel like they have the time to think philosophically about the future
• Many don't know how to efficiently embrace tools such as blogs and wikis to build and promote these conversations
• Many don't know what questions to ask to engage others in these conversations about the future of technology integration and education in Lutheran schools.

It is my hope and prayer that together we might find a way to jump start these essential conversations among educators so that we might all learn and grow in our understanding of the changing nature of education and our world due to technology, and together forge a plan for ensuring that Lutheran schools remain relevant in educating our children.