Databus Issue: 2009 3 07/13/2009
President's Message
Russ Brawn President
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As I write this message two thoughts come foremost: the first is the widespread accolade and support for CETPA’s contributions to its membership, particularly in the value delivered by our Annual Conference; and secondly, the importance of progressing to ‘green technology’ the theme of this Databus issue.
In the last Databus, we presented the challenge in conducting the 2009 Conference in a time of scant monetary resources. Through surveys, feedback from the EdTech list serve and elsewhere the Board has been gathering thoughts and concerns from our community. Many have commented upon the desire for a more virtual experience, and the capture of conference sessions that may be later shared. We are thankful for your contributions of these thoughts but I find myself most impressed by the recognition of the value of the event as it has been – in the multi-layered and fully dimensional experiences that are gained via in-person interaction within and outside of conference sessions. That is, the ‘gold’ to which this column refers. Value akin to gold is found in colleagues sharing of successes and failures, and in moments of discovery that are made possible through the presentation and exchange of ideas, services and products. The support for a most cost effective, yet traditionally conducted conference is manifest. With your support as presenters and attendees, the CETPA Conference will be continue to present mission critical value as we explore alternative options to enrich professional development among California’s technology leaders and practitioners.
Turning to the concept of ‘green’ technologies, the CETPA Board finds one more reason to ardently support our Governor’s call to promote textbooks in a digital format within our schools. As most of you know, Governor Schwarzenegger advocated the implementation of policy to create digital textbooks for high school science and math by August 2009. At its May meeting, the State Board of Education voted to pursue just such a policy calling upon the Office of the Secretary of Education, the Department of Education and the State Board’s staff to develop a call to content developers and publishers for digital materials for geometry and above and for high school science. By the time of this publication digital textbooks would be submitted, and by July 15, the digital texts would have a standards review by high school teachers and specialists. By the end of July, a report on standards alignment will be prepared. A final report will be submitted to the Governor by the middle of August. Upon approval of the report, the digital textbooks would be available for every school to use. Over time the goal would be to expand the use of digital textbooks to other subject matter and other grade levels.
Cost savings has been a focus of both promoters and skeptics of the initiative and it is one important consideration. However, that is but one measure by which to appraise widespread introduction of digital learning media. Using less paper-based media and using efficient appliances to delivery the content to students are other considerations. Most imperative, however, is to adopt and adapt to new 21st Century skills to transform teaching and learning into environments that engage today’s students. The CETPA Board has taken a position of support for the Governor’s innovative proposal, has communicated our organizational support, and has offered our assistance in implementation of the digital textbook policy. In these efforts we are working with Secretary of Education Glen Thomas. CETPA believes that this policy is the first step toward significant reforms in public education and as the organization is uniquely situated to provide technical and strategic assistance, we call for your support. Your voices and actions of support are critical to the transformation to alternative tools for instruction within the schools and districts that we love and support. I continue to look forward to your assistance in fashioning answers and developing skills that embellish our capacity to tend to the needs of others.
