Over the last decade nearly all major media industries have seen major disruption due to new technological capabilities. When applied strategically these new capabilities have simplified and reduced the cost of production and distribution, they have enhanced consumption and updatability making for better overall products. The result has been decentralized open platforms which allow more people to participate and freely compete and gives consumers much more freedom to choose and much better products.
Now what happened to the Music Industry and the Print Industry over the last decade could happen to education and more specifically the Text Book industry. The Apple corporation is currently in the best position to lead the industry with their 3-part offering :
1. iBook authoring tools
2. iBook digital marketplace distribution
3. iPad reader and storage
4. iCloud virtual storage
Amazon likewise, have all the constituent parts but lack the mindshare Apple has already developed.
1. Amazon.com digital marketplace distribution
2. Kindle and Kindle Fire reader and storage
3. Amazon cloud storage.
To get a “glimpse” of what is on the horizon for schools, for teachers and for students click here.
Congratulations to the Caldwell School District Board of Trustees on their selection of Tim Rosandick as their new Superintendent of Schools. After a long process involving numerous members of the staff and community members a final list of candidates was presented to the Board for their final determination. From that initial list of three finalists Mr. Rosandick was the candidate that the Board believed to be best qualified to lead the school district. He was the unanimous choice as he was not only the most professionally qualified but he also had that unique qualification that no other candidate possessed. read more…
Recently representatives from the Apple Corporation made a presentation of iBooks Textbooks – an Apple Education Event, introducing some new technologies for schools. This is new technology that will assist teachers and students in a very profound way. Further, it will change forever what is today the basic instructional tool in every American classroom. Engaging students is the key to good teaching and this presentation about iBooks II, IBooks Author and ITunes U is a must!
How well did the k-12 Idaho Education System fare with the 2012 Legislative session? From an education standpoint many improvements were made although a couple of important items were left undone. Following is a brief description of the many plusses and a couple of incompletes: read more…
In the closing hours of the recent adjourned legislative session two important bills never had a chance. Both were “game-changers” in that they injected some competition into our k-12 education system. Perhaps in 2012 they will again surface and hopefully have a better fate. Following is a brief description of the two bills that few outside of the legislature have even heard about. read more…
There are two critical elements to proposition (1) which will be on the November 6, 2012 ballot. Most Idahoans are aware of the negative aspects of teacher tenure. They don’t believe teachers or anyone should have guaranteed employment for life. Voters support eliminating that “perk.” However, there is a second component and almost of equal importance. That is the material and education costs of collective bargaining. Supporting the legislation of the 2011 session will corral this runaway program. read more…
Proposition One on the November ballot is the legislation passed in 2011 regarding negotiated agreements and renewable contracts for teachers. While the specific wording that will appear on the November 2012 ballot is not yet finalized, it is assumed that a “YES” vote will be to support the legislation as passed by the House and Senate with huge majorities and signed by Governor Otter. A “NO” vote would be to support the position of the teacher’s union, the IEA. read more…
Congratulations to Jim Rice on his recent appointment by Governor Otter to the Idaho State Senate. Senator Rice is a Caldwell attorney and was the first choice of the District 10 precinct chairman to replace John McGee who had recently resigned his senate position. Senator Rice in his bid to seek the appointment, stated, “I believe in being very conservative in spending. I am a firm believer in property rights, choice in education and low taxes.” We wish him well in his service to the citizens of District 10 and of the State of Idaho. read more…
HO481: This bill is at the top of the list as it should be. It takes care of the “cap” issue, which has penalized our State, our students and parents since our first charter school legislation was approved over a decade ago. Our current charter school statute is viewed as an unfriendly law because of the “cap,” which has been harmful to our applications for grants and awards. Now is the right time to pass this legislation, as it will have no fiscal impact on the State’s distribution of general fund dollars to school districts for the foreseeable future. read more…
Unbelievably, here in Idaho next November we are actually going to vote on whether computers are a good thing. Voters will be asked to determine whether our schools and students will have up-to-date computing devices in their classrooms. Voters will be asked to decide whether Idaho students will be required to take a couple of online classes in order to graduate from high school.
Hard to believe but true! Why is it this surprising? Our world has changed so much. Most jobs require some basic understanding of computers and technology. Aren’t our schools supposed to prepare students for college or the workforce? But the labor unions were so threatened by technology that they secured enough signatures to get that Legislature’s education reforms on the November ballot. read more…
