“We can’t get there from here,” according to Bob Wise, former governor of West Virginia and current president of the Alliance for Excellent Education. He was referring to the challenge of improving an education system that has stagnant state budgets, teachers that are retiring and the need to do a better job teaching a wider range of topics. He talks about the idea of moving from an agrarian-based calendar to one based on achievement; one where the learning never ends.
He points out that students lose much of what they learn over their long school breaks. He emphasizes that with digital learning, learning can continue throughout the year. He draws an analogy to the entertainment industry with his comment that learning can take place – any place, any time, any pace, any path.
In this interview, he talks about the education system and the opportunity to improve productivity with the smart use of technology. He explains how his organization and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush ‘s organization, the Foundation for Excellence in Education, are partnering to help legislatures across the country break down the barriers that prevent wider spread adoption of technology.
It is not about being in front of a computer screen, he explains, but it is about results. It is about individualized learning plans, such that every student can learn at their pace. In 2010, their joint Digital Learning Council described the 10 elements and actions that need to be taken by lawmakers and policymakers to foster a high quality, customized education for all students.
At the 2011 Foundation for Excellence in Education conference, where we caught up with Mr. Wise, the concept of a digital learning report card was introduced, which rates states by their adoption of digital learning principles.
It is refreshing to see a bipartisan effort to solve one of the most vexing challenges we face.
[note: Viodi is helping to organize the Window on Youth Symposium at the Media Innovation Summit in Santa Clara on December 1st. This is one in a series of videos that looks at the convergence of broadband and technology with the education field.]
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