Susan+Patrick+Opening+Session


 * World Future Society - need to check the site
 * Forecasts the future of society
 * http://www.wfs.org/
 * Web is changing Chinese society - for the youth
 * Moving to 21st century skills model
 * How do we teach these 21sst century skills
 * Singapore - all teachers trained to teach online
 * one week per year is eLeaning week
 * training teachers to use Second Life
 * Classrooms being redesigned ala Starbuck's
 * Essex, England
 * to spark the interest of the "disinfected" kids
 * is working but a huge learning curve for teachers
 * Is changing the model of schooling
 * have to work with changing regulations and funding models built on traditional schooling
 * 4 keys things leaders need to know about online learning
 * expand opportunities for kids
 * is rapidly growning
 * is effective - equal or better than traditional
 * improves teaching (teachers take what they learn into the regular classroom)
 * "Being against online learning is like being against electricity"
 * "Being against online learning is like being against driving a car"

Bruce's contribution: In the top ten list of trends internationally, Alternative Energy is #1 and Online Learning is #8, and is the only education issue mentioned in the top ten. 87% of Chinese youth are using the internet "world class education", 21st century skills, etc, are a perfect match for the online world China and the UK have signed a several billion dollar deal for k-12 online learning Singapore trained all teachers, has online learning in 100% of schools, and shuts down schools for a week each year to hold "e-learning week" Four Key Ideas for Online Leaders 40% of high school students want online courses to be available 42% of parents believe that online classes are a good investment YouTube - information revolution video
 * 1) Fundamentally online is expanding options for kids
 * 2) It is growing about 20% a year
 * 3) It is effective - all studies show equal or better
 * 4) It improves teaching