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I am proud to be a Michigander. There are numerous reasons. Primarily, Governor Rick Snyder, has mobilized many to get us back to work, increase opportunities, help the economy and significantly improve the education system. There are around 50+ pieces of pending legislation aimed at ‘fixing’ Michigan policies and practices. My sensibility about this has nothing to do with partisanship – but everything to do with necessary leadership for present day issues.
Michigan was a leader in the one to one movement nearly 10 years ago. The effort was ahead of its time – having no research, best practices yet established or experienced. We did a lot right. We did a lot with blinders on groping in the dark. It’s a new day.
Governor Snyder has set his platform for fixing what’s wrong with our education system. A key component is his commitment to an “Any Time, Any Place, Any Way, Any Pace Program” to drive a re-design of our education system. The Governor’s mandate includes having “education opportunities available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year…By introducing an education system that offers unfettered flexibility and adaptability for student learning models and styles, we will break down the status quo on how, when, and where students learn.”
Last week I participated in a Michigan Department of Education meeting regarding ‘how’ to operationalize a blended, one to one teaching and learning program across the state. Led by State Technology Director, Bruce Umpstead, we discussed strategies, existing best practices, opportunities and future direction. The goal is to present a plan to the Superintendent of Public Instruction who will review, comment and ultimately present it to the Governor.
While it is not a blank slate, there is opportunity to create a powerful, effective and efficient plan based on what we’ve learned, Maine’s one to one work and evolution and calling on public and private partnerships. Having students bring their own devices is also part of the discussion
Tying the Project RED key findings and implementation factors to Michigan’s one to one approach was addressed. Since we know what ‘matters’ for the success of rich education technology implementations, it is important to tie those local expectations to a state supported plan. These will make the difference between success and failure.
There are many ‘campfires’ of blended learning, one to one practices, virtual schooling, regional intermediate school districts supporting vast geographies across the state. We have a good foundation of developed and developing expertise on which to build…not to mention experts!!
Bruce Umpstead brought all of us together to provide details about each showcase example in an effort to create statewide possibilities. In Westwood School District, 720 students are participating in a total virtual school situation via provided in-home devices and connectivity. In the Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District, the entire region has launched one to one approaches through the support, network connectivity and development of the ISD team. Although Forsythe, GA, was not present for the discussion, we looked deeply into the ‘bring your own technology’ movement.
I’m honored to be involved in this process at the ground level. It may be hard to understand how someone in Michigan can have a positive attitude in such challenging times. For me, it is hope based on concrete evidence of tough leadership for these tough times.
Leslie Wilson, CEO, One-to-One Institutte; co-author Project RED.
lesliew@1two1.org
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