This past Friday, I had the chance to visit a New Tech High School here in Texas. I honestly was not prepared for the impact it would have on me. I’d read about New Tech HS, even seriously considered it but it was cost-prohibitive for an urban district, the political will wasn’t there (e.g. changing leadership, everything is on hold).

PBS TeacherLine of Texas had invited Greg Rodriguez (one of my team) and I to share about our partnership with them, and how we are using the ISTE Capstone program to build capacity. I spoke for about 15-20 minutes and then Greg shared how we were licensing PBS TeacherLine courses for use, but running them through Moodle. All in all, it was one of those nice moments when you get to share what you think is success.

But through the whole presentation, as I looked into the eyes of district administrators, surrounded by beautiful technologies in the form of iMacs, High-Def television screens, a neat and tidy environment that spoke volumes, I have to confess that I was awed. But not by the tech, although that was nice.

The superintendent was gung-ho, excited, asking hard tough questions, and I even blushed at one of them, the accountability question being one I hadn’t thought of…I relished the feeling of being caught out. This was the kind of team I want to be a part of, people who are willing to embrace new technologies, CHANGE everything, and do what works. It hit me–again–that it really is about the people.

Pete Reilly (EdTech Journeys) makes this point:

As complex as it can be sometimes, the technology is the easy part. It is people that present the challenge to success. Maybe that’s why so much of the ed tech conversation revolves around the technology. It’s new. It’s cool. It’s fun. Who wants to take on the difficult task of dealing with ineffective leadership and creating systemic change?

I do.

I’m not satisfied with great ideas and great technologies failing because the people involved weren’t up to the challenge. I am not satisfied with the idea that all we have to do is build it and they will come. I am not satisfied with the idea that all we have to do is make a logical argument for change and magically people will change.

As I reflect on the exciting feelings I had when at the New Tech HS campus, the long conversation I had with the Social Studies teacher who came from California and co-teaches with an English teacher, who embraces project-based learning…well, I felt like Dorothy when she finally gets home.

Darn it, Pete…

“There’s no place like home.”

“There’s no place like home.”

“There’s no….”

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