Thing 1 and Thing 2

As things go, these Things were very interesting. I was particularly impressed with the breadth of tech use discussed in the article and the "common sense" urgings of the video. Educators, no different from other professionals, often resist change and we can cling to ideas and methods that exist primarily because "that's the way I have always done it." The incredible growth in information technology is impossible to miss or ignore. I feel that failing to use technology would be as foolish and counter-productive as, for example, (1) forcing a student who scored 100% on a spelling pre-test on Monday to do exercises on the spelling words throughout the week and then take the "real" test on Friday; or (2), asking students to do 50 math problems on a concept they already know how to do with high proficiency.

It is exciting to begin to learn about what is "out there" and how we can use it. It also seems imperative that everyone "buy in" to the concepts to ensure proper and continued educator training, appropriate hardware/software, administrative and parent support and participation, and appropriate and meaningful assessment protocols.

In short, the whole "thing" is very exciting and energizing!