It's about your goals...

I love this post from Jeff Utecht, "There's no spork for education!". There's no "one-size-fits-all" tool for students or teachers. As educational techologists, I feel we still battle the tool mentality. When teacher comes to me and says, "I want my students to blog. Can you help me do that?" the first question is invariably "What is the goal you're trying to achieve?" -- maybe we'll blog and maybe we won't.

Your first question should always be, "What am I trying to accomplish?" and THEN "What tools can help me accomplish that best?"

Keep your goals first, always.

On Preconceived Notions...

Another singing sensation made the news lately on Britain's Got Talent -- Susan Boyle has received rave reviews on her rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream". What has caused the media frenzy? The fact that Ms. Boyle does not have the outward appearance we expect from someone so talented, much the same as we were all shocked by the operatic talent of Paul Potts not long ago on the same show.



How many people do we overlook because of their outward appearance? How many talents go undiscovered, unrealized? What could we achieve, where could we be if we let go of our preconceived notions and just see people for who they are?