Exploring E-Learning Reforms for Michigan – Public education must adapt to a changing world by liberating educators and students from the traditional, industrial model.

“The next big killer application
for the Internet is going to be
education. Education over the
Internet is going to be so big it
is going to make e-mail usage
look like a rounding error.”

John Chambers, President and
CEO, Cisco Systems

Executive Summary:

This model structures learning to a six
hour day delivered within the confines of the classroom or school building.
Today’s students increasingly expect a learning experience that is relevant,
authentic and real. They require skills and knowledge that will enable success in a new
world that is global, agile, and entrepreneurial.

Will they be ready? The answer is “Yes”
– but only if Michigan’s education, business, not for profit, legislative and executive
leadership engage their collective imaginations and energy to delivering quality learning
that meets the needs of EVERY Michigan student.
Technology can assist in customizing each student’s learning experience.

Elearning
allows educators to move from the historic “sage on the stage” delivery model to
a more progressive any time, any place facilitator of learning model. E-learning is
bringing learning to people. Literally, the Internet has expanded access to knowledge
exponentially.

It is imperative that our systems of public education play the lead role in
preparing our citizenry for success in the global economy.
Michigan cannot lead in the 21st century without casting off the anchors of
attitude, archaic laws and public policies and beliefs that bind us to 20th century education
models.

Following is a summation of the recommendations developed after meeting with
hundreds of stakeholders that included superintendents, technical experts, teachers,
business leaders, students, administrators, teachers and myriad others interested in
optimizing learning opportunities for Michigan’s students.

Many of the recommendations are bolder than others. Some are more do-able
than others. Some require changes in vision, imagination, and attitude; others require
changes in law and bold leadership. All ideas are offered as a catalyst for productive
conversation that leads to bold action and change for Michigan’s teachers and students.

Summary of Major Recommendations and Full Report: http://www.coe.wayne.edu/e-learningreport.pdf

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Getting Smarter, Becoming Fairer-
A Progressive Education Agenda for a Stronger Nation
Renewing Our Schools, Securing Our Future

A National Task Force on Public Education
A Joint Initiative of the Center for American Progress and the Institute for America’s Future

America’s public education system came of age at the beginning of the last century, amid an
enormous growth in population and a fundamentally changing economy. Early 20th century
America saw the fading of an agrarian society, the advent of the industrialized economy
and a massive infl ux of immigrants.

We created our current public school system to meet the
needs of this changed society and to prepare students to succeed in the 20th century economy. Our
investments and leadership in education, such as making high school widely available and building
strong public universities, helped foster economic prosperity and a strong democracy.
One hundred years later, America faces a newly globalized economy, rapidly changing
demographics, and a lingering and dangerous achievement gap for minority and poor students that
continues to sap America’s strength by failing to give all children the tools they require to become
the highly skilled workforce and engaged citizenry our country needs.

Now, we are charged with simultaneously closing two sets of student achievement gaps:
one at home, the other on the international stage. We must ensure that all American children
– regardless of race, ethnicity, income, native language, or geographic location – are afforded
access to the high-quality schools that will enable them to participate in the promised opportunity
of the American dream.

Failure to do so will only lead to greater divisions in the country between
the “haves” and “have-nots,” which history tells us can have disastrous consequences. We must
also produce more high-caliber students to compete successfully with the young people overseas
who can today rightfully take pride in their own world-class educations.

In this new era, America must commit itself to a fundamental examination of its public education
system and fully restructure it to meet the challenges of this century. American perseverance,
ingenuity and brainpower can make America stronger than ever. But 21st century success will
require the creativity and talent of every American.

Getting Smarter, Becoming Fairer lays out a
road map for creating a public education system capable of meeting the challenges our country
faces. We call on our nation’s leaders to show the courage to guide America along this path.

http://emailimages.ctsg.com/caf/edureport_gsbf_full_report.pdf