Technology & Learning - March 2009 - (Page 8) editor’s desk CONSIDER THE END LEARNER I made my annual pilgrimage to the Texas Computer Education Association Conference (TCEA) last month. Inside the Austin Convention Center were the usual trappings: EdTech experts expounding in keynotes and workshops sessions; vendors hawking the latest and greatest releases and upgrades to their products; attendees in constant pursuit of their next free t-shirt and squishy stress ball. But while strolling the convention floor, I also noticed something strange and startling at one of the booths—actual students! Using technology! Forgive the sarcasm, but I believe one of the main reasons why today’s schools are antiquated is that nobody considers the end learner. When was the last time a school or district made a purchasing decision on a technology implementation after consulting the people who will be actually using it? Sure, the faculty may get a once-over—although that is certainly not a guarantee—and the school board will most likely have to approve the contract. But the students? What do they know? As it turns out, they know a lot. If you turn to our How It’s Done column on page 20, you’ll find out how the technology integrators in the Omaha, Nebraska school district use older students to help with the integration of new software into the younger grades’ curriculum. And blogger Ryan Bretag shares the wonderful tale of sitting down and discussing 21st-Century learning concepts with his students on page 50. What we find most radical is already second nature to them. Also remember that reviews in this magazine and online at techlearning.com are written by actual teachers working with actual students. Makes sense doesn’t it? MARCH 2009 | VO L . 2 9 N O. 8 Publisher: Allison Knapp aknapp@nbmedia.com; (510) 868-5074; Fax: (650) 238-0263 EDITORIAL Editorial Director: Kevin Hogan khogan@nbmedia.com Managing Editor: Christine Weiser cweiser@nbmedia.com Editorial Interns: Amir Hardy, Clea Mahoney Senior Art Director: Nicole Cobban ncobban@nbmedia.com Art Director: Annmarie LaScala Graphic Artists: Michelle Henning, Adrianne Knapp, Neel Patil Contributing Editors: Jeffrey Branzburg, David Jakes, Scott McLeod, Judy Salpeter, Gwen Solomon Custom Editorial Director: Gwen Solomon gwensol@earthlink.net ADVISORY BOARD Larry Buchanan, Sheila Offman Gersh, Doug Martin, Lane Mills, Alan November, Jason Ohler, Cathleen Richardson, Kathy Schrock, Ellen Towers, David Warlick TECHLEARNING.COM Web Production: Minnick Web Services ADVERTISING SALES East Coast Sales Manager: Caliann Mitoulis cmitoulis@nbmedia.com; (215) 370-5813 MARKETING Marketing Manager: Jared Stearns jstearns@nbmedia.com Production Manager: Fred Vega fvega@nbmedia.com CIRCULATION Group Circulation Director: Denise Robbins drobbins@nbmedia.com Circulation Director: Anne Drobish adrobish@nbmedia.com REPRINTS AND PERMISSIONS Wright’s Reprints: (877) 652-5295 EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING OFFICES 810 Seventh Ave., 27th Floor, New York, NY 10019 Phone: (212) 378-0400; Fax: (650) 238-0263 For general editorial correspondence: techlearning_editors@nbmedia.com NEWBAY MEDIA LLC—CORPORATE President & CEO: Steve Palm Chief Financial Officer: Paul Mastronardi NEWBAY MEDIA K-12 EDUCATION GROUP Vice President, Group Publishing Director: Adam Goldstein Publisher: Allison Knapp Editorial Director: Kevin Hogan Editorial/Creative Director: Anthony Savona Web Editor: Rob Granger Web Analyst: David Leach Web Production Specialist: Ashley Vermillion Web Ad Production Specialist: Lesley Keller SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION $29.95 per year in the U.S. $59.90 for two years. $39.95 in Canada and Mexico. $69.95 in all other countries. To subscribe: (888) 266-5828 or www.techlearning.com Kevin Hogan Editorial Director www.techlearning.com N THE WEB www.techlearning.com 8 | TECH & LEARNING http://www.TECHLEARNING.COM http://www.techlearning.com http://www.techlearning.com http://www.techlearning.com http://www.techlearning.com
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