Post to Steve Hargadon: The Lurker Steps Out!

Okay, Steve Hargadon. Carefully, oh so quietly, I am tippy toeing out from behind the safety and the anonymity of my computer screen, beyond the safe haven of lurking. Today, I shall participate, albeit briefly, to comment on your post, "Web 2.0 Is the Future of Education." Currently, the high school where I have been an ELA teacher for more than 18 years, is dancing around the idea of establishing a charter school as a way to create the kinds of classroom experiences that our students must have to be successful participators and collaborators in the world zipping and zinging around them at a rapid fire pace. As an employee of our school district, I know that change is always followed by parental angst, as well as the metaphorical heart palpitations and hand wringing of our faculty. The central chunk of your post, (the ten trends, the bulleted paradigm shifts, and the suggestions for educators, have succinctly given me food for thought as well as an olive branch of sorts to pass to those parents and professional peers who aren't quite sure why we need to make a move at all. Thanks!