December 2004 — Features
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A Vision for a Summit
Technology Management:
- the need to be more effective in the management and utilization of technology in the district
- the need for technology plans that focus directly on student achievement
- the movement to data warehousing and how most districts face similar struggles.
Technology and Student Achievement:
- the need for educators to learn how to take advantage of how technology can shape the learning environment, increase student achievement, improve their schools’ operating systems, and reduce the cost of educating children
- that technology has the potential to accelerate student learning
- the need to stay focused on what the student needs to be successful.
Technology and Leadership:
- that significant change cannot happen without bold leadership
- that district leaders must be innovators with an active interest in renovating the education model to accommodate the new learner
- the need to make professional development a top priority.
The summit evaluation also allowed CELT to see what went well, what needed improvement, and if the summit was useful and had the potential to be repeated. Feedback in this area showed that nearly 70% of respondents felt that the summit should be repeated annually, while 30% felt that the summit should be repeated biennially. In addition, 30% of respondents felt that the summit was “valuable,” while 70% felt that the summit was “very valuable.”
The summit evaluation also gave CELT important qualitative data about the participants’ thoughts regarding future summits, technology and the needs of educational leaders. The evaluation forced them to think about their district’s priorities, as well as where they are lacking or where they are innovators. These qualitative remarks are helping shape future summits and CELT’s ongoing agenda.
Next Steps
At the summit’s completion, CELT began to build upon the valuable insights and knowledge shared by participants. Immediate follow-up plans include:
- Distributing selected presentations to all attendees and making additional copies available to the public.
- Expanding the reach of summit participation by planning the 2005 National Education Summit.
- Initiating planning for the South Florida Regional Summit on “Technology, Learning and Economic Development for the 21st Century,” which will be held in Fort Lauderdale this May.
Of course, the essence of the summit transcends the two-day event and can be summed up with this final thought from one participant: “I believe that the educational space must focus on what works best for students.”
For more information on CELT and its future events, visit www.celtcorp.com.
