Education

Dr. Jamie McKenzie has enjoyed some 40 years working as a teacher, principal, superintendent and director of libraries, media and technology. He draws upon his experience as a leader and an innovator to create this collection of essays and articles outlining an approach to adult learning of new technologies that is intended to reach even the most reluctant teachers.

During the final decade of the twentieth century, schools in many countries spent huge sums running cables and buying computers to connect classrooms to the Internet.

For this investment to pay dividends - to dramatically strengthen the skills with which students read, write and learn about their world - schools must offset this spending on equipment with two critical elements: 1) a clear focus upon program goals and 2) the provision of extensive professional development opportunities for all teachers.

The next decade may bring a dramatic shift as schools and teachers place greater emphasis upon thinking, questioning and information skills, recognizing that networks make possible what the Australians have called information literate school communities.

With the right program goals and matching professional development opportunities, we can create a generation of young people capable of wrestling thoughtfully and skillfully with difficult questions, problems and decisions.

In recent years he has been helping schools and clusters of schools from all around the world to plan professional development that makes a difference. In this book he stresses basic concepts that lead to staff engagement and student performance on challenging thinking tasks. Most of these concepts are enduring - strategies that work as well in 2009 as they did in 1999. These approaches outlast the technology fads and bandwagons that come and go. Much of the advice provided will pass the test of time and prove valuable in 2019 and 2029.

Amazon Review
McKenzie's book suggests very powerful ideas to help teachers learn technology. This book is directed towards the administrator who is trying to assist teachers in learning technology. Simply hosting an afterschool workshop is not enough. This book suggests great ideas in which to prepare teachers for educating students in a highly technological society.