All right, so we're gonna be taking a deep dive
into this ed tech stuff you send over.
And looks like a lot of this is focused on leadership.
Like how can school leaders make the best use
of educational technology?
Right.
So we've got some different perspectives to dig into here,
but one that really taught my eye was this piece
by Gary Ackerman, where he's talking about
how computers only do a few things really well,
and he's arguing that we should be focusing
on those strengths.
Yeah, that's a really interesting point.
You know, I think we often get so caught up in the hype
of all the things tech can do.
Right.
But the real magic happens when we like really zero in
on those core strengths that computers have.
Yeah, okay, I'm intrigued.
You know, over us humans.
So break it down for me.
Yeah.
What are these computer superpowers
that we need to be harnessing?
Well, he breaks it down into four main areas.
Okay.
Listening and shouting.
Remembering, following rules.
And comparing information.
Okay, so I'm ready to put on my computer brain
for a minute here.
Let's start with listening and shouting.
I'm guessing this isn't about like literal ears and mouths.
Right, it's not about computers having like,
you know, actual ears and mouths.
It's more about how they're amazing at receiving
and sending information.
So think about, you know, as a school leader,
you're constantly bombarded with emails, messages,
updates from teachers, parents, the district.
Oh yeah.
Computers just handle that flow effortlessly.
Yeah, and on the flip side,
they can blast out information just as quickly, right?
Exactly.
Whether it's a school wide announcement
or connecting with, you know, colleagues across the globe
for some virtual conference.
It definitely beats sending a carrier pigeon, right?
Absolutely.
And that ease of communication,
I think could be a real game changer for education leaders.
Yeah.
Like imagine using online platforms
to instantly share updates with parents.
Or even host professional development webinars
for your staff.
And suddenly geographical barriers just disappear
and everyone's on the same page.
Yeah, that's huge.
I mean, just for communication and efficiency.
But I do have to push back a little bit here.
Isn't there a risk of, you know,
becoming overly reliant on technology for communication?
Yeah.
Like we don't wanna lose that personal touch
that's so vital in education.
Oh, that's such a good point.
And I think, you know, it's about finding that balance.
Technology shouldn't replace
face-to-face interactions entirely.
But it can definitely enhance and streamline communication.
And then, you know, free up time
for those valuable personal connections.
All right, good point, good point.
So let's move on to the next computer strength.
Remembering.
Okay.
I'm already feeling overwhelmed just thinking
about all the things I have to remember as a school leader.
So how can computers help with that?
Well, think about the sheer volume of information
you deal with daily.
Oh, yeah.
You've got lesson plans, student data budgets,
curriculum guidelines.
I mean, it's endless.
It never ends.
And computers are built for this kind of storage and recall.
They can hold fast amounts of data
and access it instantly.
So instead of having file cabinets overflowing with paper,
we could have, you know, everything neatly organized,
accessible in these digital archives.
Exactly.
And this remembering power,
it translates into tangible benefits.
Yeah.
How?
So for example,
imagine needing to reference a lesson plan
from a few years back.
Yeah.
No more digging through dusty boxes.
Oh, I hit that.
It's right there at your fingertips.
Wow.
Yeah, that kind of easy access to information
could save teachers and administrators
countless hours of prep time.
Yes.
But does this mean that we're expecting everyone
to become like a walking encyclopedia?
That's a good question.
You know, if computers can remember everything for us,
do we even need to learn facts anymore?
That's where I think the human element comes in.
Okay.
Well, computers excel at, you know,
storing and retrieving information.
It's our job as humans to synthesize that information,
think critically about it.
Okay.
And apply it in meaningful ways.
So it's not about memorizing facts and figures,
but rather about understanding how to access
and leverage information effectively.
That's it.
Okay.
I'm starting to see how these computer strengths
can be incredibly useful if you strategically.
For sure.
But before we move on to the next one,
I am a little curious, you know,
do you ever worry about becoming too dependent
on computers for remembering things?
Sure.
Does it make our brains lazy?
It's a valid concern,
but I see it more as a shift in focus.
Okay.
Not a decoy in brain power.
Gotcha.
My brains are freed up to tackle more complex tasks.
Like what kind of tasks?
Analyzing information, problem solving,
making creative connections.
Okay.
Those are the skills that I think
will be truly valuable in the future.
All right, I'm on board with that.
Yeah.
So let's talk about the next computer strength.
Following rules.
Okay.
I have to admit, sometimes I wish my students
were as good at following rules as computers are.
I hear you on that one.
But this rule following ability is actually
one of computers greatest assets.
Okay.
They excel at executing instructions flawlessly.
Right.
Making them ideal for tasks
that require precision and consistency.
So we're talking about things like grading data analysis
and all those like administrative tasks.
Exactly.
That can really bog down teachers and school leaders.
Right.
Yeah.
Imagine a world where computers can grade
multiple choice quizzes.
Ooh.
Analyze student data to identify trends.
Okay.
And even automate routine paperwork.
Talk about a dream come true.
Right.
That would free up so much time
and mental energy.
For sure.
For teachers and administrators
to focus on like more creative and impactful work.
That's the beauty of it.
Hmm.
By leveraging technology for these rule based tasks,
we're essentially giving teachers and leaders a superpower.
Oh, I like that.
The ability to work smarter, not harder.
I love that it's not about replacing humans.
Right.
But about empowering them to do what they do best.
Absolutely.
And that leads us to the final computer strength.
Comparing information.
Okay.
And think of it like this.
Computers are like the ultimate detectives.
Okay.
They can sift through mountains of data and spot patterns
and connections that would take us humans forever to find.
So this is where the power of search engines
and algorithms comes in.
Exactly.
Right.
They can analyze student performance data.
Yes.
Identify learning gaps.
Yes.
And even suggest personalized learning recommendations.
Precisely.
And that kind of data driven insight
can be invaluable for school leaders.
Absolutely.
Like imagine using data to make informed decisions
about resource allocation curriculum development.
Oh, yeah.
Professional development for your staff.
It's about using data to drive positive change and improve
outcomes for all students.
Exactly.
Data is such a powerful tool when used strategically.
It's not about reducing students to numbers,
but about understanding their individual needs.
Right.
And tailoring instruction to help them succeed.
Okay.
I'm starting to see how these four computer strengths,
listening and shouting.
Right.
Remembering following rules and comparing information.
Yeah.
Can be incredibly valuable for school leaders
if used intentionally.
Absolutely.
And speaking of ethics.
Yeah.
That's such a crucial aspect of leveraging technology
and education.
You know, as leaders, we need to be mindful
of the potential pitfalls and ensure
that we're using technology in a way that benefits all students
and upholds our values.
That's a great point.
And I'm sure we'll dig into those ethical considerations
in more detail later on.
Yeah.
But for now, let's shift gears a little bit
and see how these computer strengths play out
in a real world classroom setting.
Yeah.
Ackerman uses a great example in his work
about a science teacher using microscopes.
Oh, yes.
That's a fascinating one.
I'm all ears.
Let's hear it.
All right.
So picture this.
You've got a science teacher.
So we've been talking about all this amazing stuff
that computers can do.
Yeah.
But you know, I'm also thinking about the human side of things,
especially for us as educational leaders.
Right.
I mean, we're not trying to turn our schools
into like robot factories, are we?
Of course not.
In fact, what's really fascinating
is that as technology becomes more and more powerful,
those uniquely human skills become even more important.
So while computers are busy remembering facts
and following rules, what should we humans be focusing on?
Well, think about the qualities we associate
with great leaders.
Right?
Right.
OK.
Things like creativity, empathy, critical thinking,
problem solving, the ability to inspire and connect with people.
Yeah.
These are all things that computers just can't replicate.
It's like those soft skills are suddenly
becoming like the most valuable assets
in this tech driven world.
Exactly.
But how do we actually cultivate those skills in our schools?
Yeah.
It feels a bit abstract compared to like teaching math or science,
you know?
It definitely requires a shift in mindset.
Yeah.
You know, we need to move beyond just a purely academic focus.
OK.
And create learning environments that
nurture those human skills alongside those traditional subjects.
So what does that look like in practice?
Do we have students like meditate in the hallways or?
Oh, maybe not that extreme.
OK.
But think about things like project based learning.
OK.
Where students are working together to solve real world problems.
OK.
That fosters collaboration, critical thinking,
communication skills.
I like that it's about giving them a chance
to like apply their knowledge in a meaningful way.
Exactly.
Not just regurgitate facts on a test.
Right.
And we can also integrate arts education more deeply.
OK.
Encourage students to express themselves creatively.
Think outside the box.
So we're not just churning out robots who can code,
but also fox during the next generation of artists.
Exactly.
Innovators, problem solvers.
Right.
But isn't this a tough sell sometimes?
Yeah.
Like a lot of emphasis is still placed on standardized testing
and those measurable outcomes.
It's a valid challenge.
But that's where I think strong leadership comes in.
OK.
You know, school leaders who champion
this more holistic approach, who advocate for those human skills,
Yeah.
they can really make a difference.
Yeah.
But it's not just about talking the talk.
Right.
We have to walk the walk as well.
Absolutely.
Yeah.
The way we lead, the way we interact with our staff and students,
that sets the tone for the entire school.
Yeah.
You know, are we modeling those skills of collaboration,
empathy, and open-mindedness?
So it's like a ripple effect.
If we as leaders embody those human qualities,
it'll hopefully create a more positive and supportive learning
environment.
Exactly.
For everyone.
And here's where it gets really interesting.
OK.
Remember all those amazing things computers
can do that we were talking about earlier?
Yeah.
Well, those can actually be tools to help us cultivate
those human skills too.
Whoa.
Hold on.
I thought we were talking about how human skills are what
set us apart from computers.
Now you're saying they can work together.
That's the beauty of it.
It's not about technology versus humanity.
It's about finding ways for them to complement each other.
OK.
I like that.
Like, for example, technology can
create these immersive learning experiences.
OK.
Connect students with experts around the world.
Or it can provide personalized feedback and support,
you know, help students learn at their own pace.
Exactly.
Develop a deeper understanding of concepts.
Technology can be such a powerful tool for differentiation.
Yeah.
Helping us meet the needs of diverse learners in ways
that just weren't possible before.
But let's not forget those ethical considerations
we touched on earlier.
Oh, absolutely.
As leaders, we have a responsibility
to make sure technology is used responsibly and equitably
in our schools.
You're absolutely right.
We need to be asking ourselves some tough questions.
Like, what kind of questions?
Like, how do we ensure that all students have access
to the technology they need?
Right.
How do we protect student privacy in a digital world?
Yeah.
How do we teach students to be responsible digital citizens?
These are weighty questions.
And I don't think they're easy answers.
No.
But they're questions we can't afford to ignore.
And they're questions that require that human touch.
OK.
You know, technology can help us gather information,
analyze data.
But ultimately, it's up to us as leaders
to make those ethical decisions.
Right.
And guide our schools in the right direction.
This conversation is really making
me think about my own school and the things we could be doing
differently.
I'm glad to hear.
But I have to admit, sometimes it feels overwhelming.
Sure.
Where do we even begin to make these changes?
Don't worry.
You're not alone.
OK.
A lot of school leaders feel that same sense of overwhelm.
Yeah.
But the good news is, even small steps
can make a big difference.
OK.
Start by having conversations with your staff.
So start by asking my teachers, how can we use technology
to help students develop empathy and critical thinking skills?
Exactly.
Brainstorm together.
OK.
What kind of projects or learning experiences
could you design?
Go catch it.
What professional development opportunities
might be helpful?
And I guess it's also about being open to new ideas
and approaches, right?
Right.
We may need to experiment a bit to see what
works best for our school community.
That's the spirit.
Remember, this is a journey, not a destination.
We're all learning and adapting as technology
continues to evolve.
This has been such an eye-opening conversation.
Oh, good.
And I'm glad.
It's given me so much to think about,
both in terms of how we can use technology effectively
and how we can ensure that human element remains
at the heart of education.
It's all about finding that balance.
Yeah.
I agree.
So as you continue to reflect on these ideas,
I want to leave you with a challenge.
OK.
Think about your school or district.
What steps are you currently taking
to foster those essential human skills we've been discussing?
Yeah.
And what more could you be doing?
It's a great question to reflect on.
Ooh, that's a tough one.
It is.
It's definitely a challenge worth pondering.
For sure.
And it's something I'll be taking back to my team.
Good.
For sure.
But I think we have time for one more question.
OK.
Before we wrap up.
What about the future?
What skills do you think will be most important for students
to develop as technology continues to advance
at such a rapid pace?
That's a great question.
And it's one that's on the minds of educators and business
leaders all over the world.
Yeah.
There are a lot of predictions out there.
Yeah.
But I think it's safe to say that, well, I think adaptability,
creativity, and critical thinking
are going to be absolutely crucial.
OK.
Those make sense.
We've touched on those a bit already.
But why are those skills especially important in a future
that's shaped by technology?
Well, think about it.
Technology is constantly evolving.
What's cutting edge today might be totally obsolete tomorrow.
Right.
So we need to prepare students not just for specific jobs,
but for a world where they're going
to have to constantly learn and adapt throughout their lives.
So it's not about teaching them how
to use a specific software program.
Right.
Exactly.
But about giving them those mental tools
to pick up new skills quickly and navigate a landscape that's
constantly changing.
Yeah, that's exactly right.
And that's where I think creativity comes in.
OK.
We need students who can think outside the box,
come up with innovative solutions,
and even invent new technologies themselves.
Because who knows what problems they'll
be facing in the future, right?
Right.
We might need them to come up with solutions we can't even
imagine yet.
Exactly.
And alongside creativity, I think
we need critical thinking.
In a world that's just flooded with information
and misinformation.
Oh, yeah.
Students need to be able to evaluate sources,
analyze data, discern fact from fiction.
That is so important.
It's so easy to get swept up in the latest trends
or believe everything you see online.
Exactly.
We need to help students develop that healthy skepticism
and ability to think for themselves.
I couldn't agree more.
Those critical thinking skills will be
essential for everything.
Yeah.
From making informed decisions to navigating
complex ethical dilemmas.
Yeah.
It's like we're giving them a mental toolkit
to not only survive, but thrive in this future world.
Exactly.
And here's the exciting part.
Those skills aren't just valuable for some far-off future.
OK.
They're valuable right now.
Right.
The skills that make us engaged, citizens,
effective problem solvers, and compassionate human being.
It's not just about prepping them
for some hypothetical job market,
but about helping them become well-rounded individuals who
can contribute to society in meaningful ways.
Exactly.
And the best part is, these are not
skills that can be automated or outsourced.
OK.
These are what make us uniquely human.
This whole conversation has been such a fantastic reminder
that even in a world that's increasingly
dominated by technology, the human element
is more important than ever.
I'm so glad you feel that way.
It's been such a pleasure diving into these ideas with you.
Likewise, I feel like I've gained a whole new perspective
on the role of technology and education.
And the skills we need to be prioritizing for our students?
Absolutely.
And I hope this deep dive has inspired
you to keep exploring these questions
and finding creative ways to foster those essential human
skills in your own school community.
Absolutely.
I'm already brainstorming ideas to bring back to my team.
Thanks for such an insightful and thought-provoking
conversation.
Oh, you're very welcome.
It's been a real pleasure.
The pleasure was all mine.
And to all of you listeners out there,
keep asking those tough questions.
Keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible,
and keep championing the power of human connection
and creativity in this digital world.
Until next time.