I believe it is imperative that learner-centered leaders are always peering beyond the headlights into the future. In particular, we need to pay close attention to the technological advances occurring in society that are coming down the road toward us.I am hesitant to use the word "technology" because it comes with a lot of baggage. All of us have a definition of technology and those definitions are laden with value judgments. Plus, think about this...the chalkboard was a revolutionary technology when it was introduced into the classroom in the 1800's. With all of that being said, there are changes happening in the world of technology that keep me awake at night because I am so excited about the possibility these changes can bring for our learners. Over the next three newsletters, I will discuss these changes and how they intersect to create an outstanding possibility for learner-centered leaders and the learners we work for. The first topic is web 3.0.
I will talk about decentralized organizations and the apps already running on the web 3.0 blockchain next week. in the meantime, let's remember what Clayton Christensen cautioned us about how legacy organizations incorporate innovative technologies. Legacy organizations, he wrote, try to fit the new innovations to do tasks in the old way of doing things, in effect trying to make the existing structure more efficient. For example, web 3.0 and blockchain technologies must be used for more than just securing student data in schools...this is just using the technology for an existing structure.
We must look beyond our headlights and think of how web 3.0 will allow educators and schools to interact with the entire school ecosystem to create the best learning experiences possible. The next 20 years will see a revolution in how schools do business. Will you and your school be ready?