How Can Microsoft Help Me Teach Better? Hmmm...

I'm thinking and blogging about this because a) a trip to NECC is on the line and I am a sucker for free things that I can't even dream of affording, and b) because I am floored and thrilled that the question is posed. Being asked to provide feedback to facilitate my learning based on my needs at the school level is a masterful question, and one which I greatly appreciate.

"Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working together and motivating them, the teacher is the most important." ~Bill Gates

There are many teachers out in the trenches with older schools and even older hardware and it

Image by Wesley Fryer via Flickr

really isn't about that anymore. Our new challenges are based on, (and I love this quote) by Ian Jukes, "headware, not hardware." The states indicated by red in the image here have embraced both the hardware and the headware.

My biggest dream is for a safe and reliable webspace where teachers who are grasping to learn new technologies can take their children and learn together by creating blogs and wikis's, and collaborating with others without fear. A consistently unblocked "go to" place where Secondlife type learning, and Skype-ing and Twitter-ing are secure. Let's teach elementary students to create their own personal learning networks.

I think Microsoft can continue to help me by doing what they already do. They ask questions of the people they serve, and develop based on needs, not a predetermined agenda. Life changes, technologies change, and faster then ever now. Training such as the NECC scholorship allows folks to continue their personal learning. As we look ahead to the next generation of terminal thinkers, the greatest teachers will be those who empower their students. Our kids are depending on us, and those who embrace these new challenges will be the new favorite teacher--and I want that for every teacher!

By the way, if this was a test, then all that stuff above is pertinent, but the bottom line is about the children---what are they without teachers who keep up with technology, and how can Microsoft afford to not make that happen?

Image via CrunchBase