Technology in the classroom is one of the most popular topics
in education today. Educators, politicians, parents, and students see the role
of technology in different lights, but all agree on its importance. As educators,
we must be diligent in our research and implementation of these resources. Fullan
and Langworthy (2014) stated that, “Digital access makes it possible for
students to apply their solutions to real world problems with authentic
audiences well beyond the boundaries of their schools” (p.4). We must strive to
provide the best resources for our students, who are relying on the educational
system to prepare them for a business market that is ever developing.
Schools consistently struggle to keep pace with the business
market, whether this be with technology, skills, or expectations. There is a
great divide between these two fields, though they rely heavily on one another.
Businesses need schools to prepare their future employees, and schools need
businesses to employ their graduating students. Creating a partnership in
communities is the first step in this process. When the local school understands
the needs of the community and businesses, they can better prepare students for
that environment.
The strategies for the adoption of a new program or process must
be planned in a thoughtful and intentional manner. According to Rogers (1963),
there are “five adopter categories on the basis of innovativeness: innovators
(first to adopt), early adopters, early majority, late majority, and laggards”
(p.72). While presenting intriguing material to each group would be ideal, time
and funds do not always allow this. Rogers writes on early adopters, “An hour
of education effort spent with this adopter category will yield higher results
in changed behavior than any other adopter category” (p.72). To see the greatest
successes for our students, school leaders must be on the forefront of adoption
and implementation.
Resources
Fullan, M. & Langworthy, M. (2014). A rich seam: How new pedagogies find deep learning. London: Pearson.
Rogers, E. M. (1963). The adoption process II. Journal of Cooperative Extension, 1(2), 69-75.
I agree with your statement regarding the relationship between schools and businesses. I see this particularly at the university level. All students want to get a job and get paid when they graduate. However, I never thought about that relationship at the high school level. I would imagine the specifics of that relationship would vary depending on the community. If school and business leaders would work to bridge the gap, we could see a change in our education system, as well as the economy, and our place in the global economy. The challenge, as with most things, is that it has to start with open and effective communication.
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