MVU Closing Address

The closing address at the Michigan Virtual Symposium 2008 was a panel discussion moderated by Richard Ferdig. The following is a paraphrased version of the panelists responses to questions:

Panelists:

Michael Flanagan, Superintendent of Public Education, Michigan Department of Education

Dan DeGrow, Superintendent, St. Clair RESA

Jayne Mohr, Associate Superintendent, Traverse City Area Public Schools

Lorri MacDonald, Michigan Online Teacher of the Year; Online Instructor, MVU

Jamey Fitzpatrick, President & CEO, MVU ,

Michael Horn, co-founder and Executive Director of Innosight Institute

Warren Buckleitner, Children's Technology Review



Talking About the Future:

What does disruptive Innovation mean to you?

Michael Flanagan: Where we are right now: State Superintendent can waive seat time. Customizing education with technology can help all kids hit home runs. This is an opportunity to be student based and not teacher based. We need to attach money to proficiency and not seat time.



Lorri MacDonald: "In every crisis there is an opportunity" Schools should be open 24-7



Jamey Fitzpatrick: In the recent past no superintendent was asking for a virtual school, but now its needed. We can get smarter about how we innovate. Danger is thinking that technology is extra with budget constraints.



Michael Horn: We need a common language so that we don't speak over each other. Our solutions and visions might not be exactly right, but hopefully a common language has begun. Most excited about learning.



Warren Buckleitner: Think about mastery learning, its proven and can be done in a variety of ways. Kids are smarter than we think and we need to give them access and get out of the way. All the pieces are there, they've been developed and theory is there and waiting for us to put it to work.

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QA



Micheal Flanagan: not larger schools! Don't need to build them...when we put the for sale sign on it who will buy it? Funding needs to be adjusted and addressed. Early childhood is an important area.



My question: Are the days of ISDs numbered and bricks and mortar schools soon gone?

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Parting comments:

Dan DeGrow: Online education is only going to grow. Our job is to make it successful



Jayne Mohr: Our children are our future the online learning experiences are possible because of the seat time waivers. Blended instruction is an option.



Michael Flanagan: don't limit yourself to what you can do without permission! Not everything requires a waiver.

Lorri MacDonald: If we keep doing what we've always done we will get what we've always gotten. Creativity needs to be encouraged. Look to learn from kids.

Michael Horn: Disruptive innovation is a force that extends benefits to more people by driving down cost. Everyone can have a computer on their desk. Disruption expands benefits...accessibility will come.



Warren Buckleitner: a forest fire fertilizes the ground for new growth, boats rise on the account of water, don't throw out your old shoes until you have new shoes.