Dateline Seattle
Bill Gates keynote

School leaders are challenged by Bill Gates to innovate and lead the way in creating 21st century schools.

This session, which opened the conference, was very interesting. Obviously Bill Gates was a big draw. As a product of independent schools (he graduated from Lakeside School in Seattle), he said that one of the best things his high school faculty did for him was to ” get out if his way.” actually Pat Bassett quoted him as having said that. It is an interesting concept, though. Creating a time and space for students to innovate while at school; easier said than done.

Points reemphasized that I have heard before, but am happy for the reminder:
*preparing students for their future, not our past; creating classrooms where students can problem solve and process information together
*supporting faculty professional development that allows them to play with new technologies and try things with their students, without a guarantee of success because
*sometimes failure is the path to success

More to come, but I am pleased and stimulated by all of the sessions so far.

KM