Where the real learning lives

In my many years of education I have always understood this social institution to be all about the learner and the learning process. Societal expectations of K-20 education are high and are high staked. As many recognize, education has been greatly influenced by business practices and this week I have experienced this directly. Teachers are on the front line of the learning experience, we see, experience, respond to and interact with the learner in an intimate way. Therefore we have information and a perspective that those who do not teach cannot completely understand, interpret, or make decisions about. And yet, I believe K-20 education is increasing being driven and directed by individuals who are removed from this experience. State boards of education may not have any educators assigned to them. Federal mandates related to classroom experiences may not be reviewed or supported by teachers. So this week I attend EDUCAUSE, the largest higher education IT conference in the world (I think). As I purused the schedule I was excited about the variety and scope of the topics - so much to learn! But I quickly realized that there were few, if any, sessions delivered by faculty. I knew faculty attended, but I was hard pressed to find faculty-driven sessions. How can IT adequately and appropriately understand and make decisions about T&L without the active, committed, and engaged involvement of faculty and students? This is not a new question - but we must continue to ask and persist in making sure our voice is heard as well as that of our constituency: our students.