Digital Content Conversation

Spent the morning in a round table discussion with 16 publishers, open-source content creators, mobile device manufacturers, district staff, and members of Governor Schwarzenegger's staff relating to modularizing textbook content for distribution to California students in ways not previously delivered in the State. Things are really getting interesting...

Much conversation surrounded developing a common understanding of what defines "modular" (is it a chapter? is it a concept? is it something else?) and how it would be delivered to the classroom level. Other topics of focus included maintaining consistency of school programs (as if...) and ensuring that all students receive access to a common curricular program ("faithful implementation") and have common outcomes ("teach to the test"). That presupposes that all students come prepared to receive a common curriculum (they don't) and that all teachers stick to agreed to pacing guides (good teachers would when, how, and why to deviate in order to meet student needs). Obviously, there is much more talking that needs to be done.