The remote learning sea change

"I think this is very exciting. Most of our kids will rise to this challenge and do very well. I expect so well, the test scores for most will go up. Real learning will take place. A new sense of responsibility will take hold."

Okay you change agents! Wake up! This is the event you have been waiting for. How do I know? I too, am a change agent. Not for all things - but some things. Like education. Of all the things which need changing, NOTHING needs it more than education. Why? Using today's model, too many kids get left behind. Too many kids don't learn nearly enough. Not in all districts, but in some. 

Enter "remote learning". Some might refer to it as online learning. Something Control Data played around with in the 1980's, using their Plato program. The President of Old Miss was on the news this morning discussing remote learning. He was almost giddy talking about it. In his words, once we get into this pool, we might never come out. In other words, this event, this COVID-19 outbreak, could change higher ed forever. Maybe secondary education also. 

There are some kinks to work out for sure. But that is why we have the wizards of smart working on this. Like I said, online learning is not new - been around for decades. But to have it mainstreamed, that is a horse of a different color. But with this new social distancing we are all stuck with, mainstreaming it will be. Oh - and besides much more online learning, get ready for more home schooling. How do I know? Our government does not want our country to look like Italy - where almost 400 people died in one day due to COVID-19. This - more social isolation for all.

What are the tools needed to make this work? First and foremost, a laptop or tablet. Then of course, easy access to the internet. What if a student comes from poverty and cannot afford either of those? First problem to be solved. But with our education system awash in money, I don't thing that problem will be too hard to figure out. What about students who decide to blow off this opportunity, and just play video games instead? As part of the "woke" generation, it will be time these kids all "awoke". No more coddling. If they need help, help is there. But, if they don't produce with the tools they are given, and eschew getting help, good luck on the outside.

I think this is very exciting. Most of our kids will rise to this challenge and do very well. I expect so well, the test scores for most will go up. Real learning will take place. A new sense of responsibility will take hold. Teenagers will start acting like young adults instead of clones of Beavis and Butt-head. 

Today in many districts across Minnesota, starts the planning for how to make remote learning work for K-12. Wednesday will be the day it will be mandatory for all districts. This will be a BIG change for all students, for all families of those students. But we will get through this. We will be better for it on the other side. We all need to embrace change, because change is coming, and coming fast.