Ten Possible Education Headlines For 2012… Happy New Year!

This posting is my third annual (2012) collection of fictitious educational headlines  we might like to see, headlines we might actually see, and headlines that might just be fun!  While I am not suggesting any of them will become a reality, it is always exciting to dream, imagine, and even have a little enjoyment! I also thank all those companies named in fun… for all the amazing things they do for education. I wish all of you the very best as you enter a New Year! Keep up the great work in our schools, you really are the best! Please take a moment to subscribe by email or RSS and also give me a follow on Twitter at mjgormans. Also, please take a moment to subscribe to this post by email or RSS. I promise you will find some great information coming your way in 2012…So Sign Up Now!  By the way, If you happen to think of a headline, please share with all of us! Have a wonderful New Year! – Mike Gorman

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Race To The Top Is Renamed “Meet Us At The Top”…  Finally No State Is Left Behind! – While  racing to the top has its admirable qualities… it still leaves some states behind. National government gets wise and combines the best of two programs while dumping the worst. Still… have legislatures considered the entire world? Where exactly is the top?

Apple Invents Wireless Electricity Called iVolt… Adobe Charges It Will Not Work with Flash – Who ever thought that Apple was no longer an innovator? The solution has finally come for schools that only have one AC outlet in the classroom. Electricity sent through the wireless internet connection means no wires and no batteries. Adobe has stated that use of iVolt will cause its Flash product to  go into unFlash mode while General Motors has filed a trademark complaint.

Google Develops Method To Literally Store All the World’s Knowledge in the Real Clouds – Through the use of Apple’s new iVolt, Google has discovered a way to use clouds to store data. Google has stated that use of clouds will be free using the improved Chromebook. States and countries in the Sunbelt fear this could rain on their economy while Microsoft files an antitrust suit claiming that all clouds should be in clear view of everyone’s Windows.

A Day To Be Remembered … Both Political Parties Agree To Double the Education Budget – It was one of the coldest days recorded in Washington DC, while, over a cup of tea, both Republicans and Democrats signed this agreement as a new law.  The new bill came shortly after passage of another signing decreeing the acknowledgment of a recent discovery of a new species… pigs with wings. Both sides agreed that one more stakeholder can now “Meet Us At The Top”

The Textbook Makes One Last Stand… What Will You Do When the Lights Go Out? – A major paper based textbook manufacturer has put together a publicity campaign suggesting that learning will be difficult during a power outage if schools convert to a digital curriculum. While admitting that a digital curriculum is more up-to-date and engaging, the manufacturer stated, “During a recent power outage students at Transformationless High School were still able to read important information regarding the planet Pluto for an upcoming standardized test”. Apple issued a press release touting its iVolt!  

Introducing the US TEST … A Standardized Test That Is Seamless, Transparent, And Powerful – A unique standardized test has been revealed to educators. The US TEST (Unstandardized Test) could be the mechanism that allows all students to succeed.  The key to this remarkable instrument is to first throw out all standardized tests and then institute the US TEST. During testing time, students are allowed to learn, collaborate, communicate, develop critical thinking skills, and think creatively! Teachers and students assess in a formative manner. In order to be most effective, extend this test time to the rest of the school day. Since US TEST is free and open source, Congress could double the current money going to the nation’s classrooms. The motto for US TEST is proclaimed, “Meet Us At The Top”

New Task Force to Focus on Pre-21^st Century Skills While 22^nd Century Group Takes Note – While the Pre-21^st Century Task Force recognizes the importance of many of the 21^st century skills, they state there must be new emphasis on pre-21^st century skills. These are skills that seem to be disappearing and need new emphasis. They include, but are not limited to, respect, courtesy, civic virtue, focus, restraint, and moments to just stop and appreciate. They even suggest there could be virtue in turning off the technology and talking to a real person every once in a while. While the 21^st century group discussed implementing this in a virtual setting, the even newer 22^nd century group demanded that schools teach skills that have not yet been thought of.

New Student Response System (HBRS) Conceived… And Could Replace Clickers – While acknowledging that student response systems, more affectionately for simplicity’s sake known as “clickers”, have their place, another method could be equally as effective. Known as HBRS (Human Biological Response System), this ingenious method could vastly improve the classroom of tomorrow. Proponents’ indicate that its key ingredients  allow students and teachers to communicate, collaborate, and reflect both in person and using digital resources. In fact, both teachers and students can practice different styles of formative assessment possibly allowing both to understand progress, intervention, and needs. After all… what if the lights go out?

All States Agree On The First Common Core Standard… Implementation Should Be Fruitful – Some thought it couldn’t be done, but history was made when the very first Common Core Standard was agreed upon by state educators. It was decided that core standard 1.1 would state that all students realize that an apple contains a core that can be measured and that can be assessed. OK, I had to dig pretty deep in the bushel for that one! It was learned that Apple has decided to apply for a trademark for common core (will not be visible in Flash) and Microsoft has claimed an antitrust.

The Number One Education App Already Available In Every Classroom – The number one education App was selected by multitudes of students, and those who had ever been students. Unfortunately, this App is not available in the Droid Market Place or the Apple App Store. The App can only be found in classrooms across the country. It is of course… our teachers.  No amount of electricity, technology, internet, or ones and zeros could ever match the effectiveness that a real teacher brings to education. This article sends out big word of appreciation to all those dedicated and amazing educators across the world. Thank you!

I have included an eleventh headline below. It is one that I will make sure is posted every year!

World Wide Effort Placing Education  And Children As Top Priority Results In  Movement Toward “Peace On Earth – Not only does this effort result in world peace, but health, energy, environment, food, and poverty are also addressed!  No further editorial needed!

Thanks for joining in a posting that I hope brought a smile to your face. Together, as educators, we must continue to work together to bring to our students an education that is engaging, relevant, and intrinsic! Continue to visit and take a moment to comment. Please accept my invitation to subscribe by RSS or email! I promise some great posts in the year 2012. Take a moment to share this post with others through an email or retweet and also give me a follow on Twitter at mjgormans. Thank you for your kind words both at this blog and at my presentations and webinars! May the year 2012 be filled with both personal and professional growth and satisfaction!  Wishing You A Very Happy New Year – Mike Gorman