International keynote:International keynote:ICT and the reform of American ICT and the reform of American schools: what are the schools: what are the challenges?challenges?

James BoscoJames BoscoWestern Michigan UniversityWestern Michigan University& Consortium for School Networking& Consortium for School Networking

Becta Research conference 2003Becta Research conference 2003Proving effective practice with ICTProving effective practice with ICT

Becta Research conference 2003Becta Research conference 2003Proving effective practice with ICTProving effective practice with ICT

Some U.S. Snapshots….Some U.S. Snapshots….• Computer/student ratio = 1 to 3.8*

• Students/multimedia comp. In classroom = 1 to 10.8

• 94% schools connected to the Internet*

• 90% schools have Internet from one or more classrooms*

Becta Research conference 2003Becta Research conference 2003Proving effective practice with ICTProving effective practice with ICT

• 72% connect via T1, T3, or cable modem*

• Instances of effective use of ICT in classrooms here and there as a consequence of imaginative and dedicated teachers

• “There is a widening gap between Internet-savvy students and their schools”**

Some U.S. Snapshots….Some U.S. Snapshots….

Becta Research conference 2003Becta Research conference 2003Proving effective practice with ICTProving effective practice with ICT

U.S. schools are not providing the education that is needed by a vast number of kids attending them.

ICT has as of yet not had the breadth of positive impact in the U.S. for school reform.For ICT to have broad and deep impact on school reform, structural challenges must be met. The challenges require leadership.

Three premisesThree premises

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Structure refers to the policies, customs, rules, and roles that define how people are expected to function in the organization and the enduring components of the organization in their relationships to each other.

Structure is the accepted organizational conventions as to…

WHO is responsible for WHAT work and HOW that work is accomplished.

Becta Research conference 2003Becta Research conference 2003Proving effective practice with ICTProving effective practice with ICT

In a contest between organizational structure and individual deviant behavior – bet on structure for what ultimately will prevail.

One other premise…One other premise…

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“It is possible to reform schools”

“How many of us there are who have left the schools and university with scarcely a notion of true learning. I unfortunate man that I am are one of the many, thousands, who have miserably lost the sweetest of life and wasted the fresh years of youth on scholastic trifles….Some people are certain to be indignant that there are men who find imperfection in schools, books, and methods in use and who dare to promise something unusual and extraordinary ….(but) it is possible to reform schools.”

John Amos Comenius,

The Great Didactic,1632

Becta Research conference 2003Becta Research conference 2003Proving effective practice with ICTProving effective practice with ICT

CHALLENGE ONE:Curriculum Integration or Curriculum Disintegration?

Becta Research conference 2003Becta Research conference 2003Proving effective practice with ICTProving effective practice with ICT

CHALLENGE TWO:Focus on Achievement or Focus on Learning?

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CHALLENGE THREE: Professional Development or Organizational Development?

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CHALLENGE FOUR:Fiscal Conservatism or Fiscal Restructuring?

Becta Research conference 2003Becta Research conference 2003Proving effective practice with ICTProving effective practice with ICT

CHALLENGE FIVE:19th Century Education Ideology or 18th Century Education Ideology

Becta Research conference 2003Becta Research conference 2003Proving effective practice with ICTProving effective practice with ICT

CHALLENGE SIX:Research for Advocacy or Research for Improvement?

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CHALLENGE SEVEN:Education for Work-Force Development orEducation for the Pursuit of Happiness.

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Bibliography and Pertinent Web Sites

1. Text of article “Toward a Balanced Appraisal of Educational Technology in the US Schools and a Recognition of Seven Leadership Challenges” http://www.cosn.org/resources/bosco_paper.pdf Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) http://www.cosn.org

2. Center for Applied Research in Ed. Technology (CARET) http://caret.iste.org

3. Educational Research Information Clearninghouse (ERIC) http://www.askeric.org/cgi-bin/res.cgi/Educational_Technology

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5. *Technology Counts 2003 http://www.edweek.org (Info on bandwidth from 2002 Tech. Counts

6. **The Digital Disconnect:The Widening Gap Between Inernet Savvy Students and Their Schoolshttp://www.pewinternet.org/reports/pdfs/PIP_Schools_Internet_Report.Pdf

7. Larry Cuban – “Oversold and Underused” www.edtechnot.com/notcuban.html

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8. The Sustainability Challenge http://www.benton.org/Library/sustainability/sus_challenge.pdf

James Bosco email address: bosco@wmich.edu