Porter Bilger & Associates, LLC

Almost every day I spend time learning about technology in education online via social networking sites like Classroom 2.0 or through an innovative school I am involved with called Hoosier Academy.   I do this for two reasons – (1) This is a passion of mine, and (2) I see the power of online learning everyday because my daughter (who is 7 years old) is lucky enough to attend a school with a significant on-line component.  

Technology allows me as a parent to know where my daughter is academically every day.   And I mean everyday!  I know whether she mastered adding 3-digit numbers or the lesson on the Trojan War.  I not only know the questions in which the teacher will be asking my daughter today as she goes through various lessons – I know why she is asking those questions.

Technology has enabled me as a parent to know what is going on in the world of education, as well as what my daughter is learning today – and did she master it.

Technology and social media also allows me to participate in live conversations with individuals from Australia, India, California, China, etc. through on-line meeting platforms like Elluminate and social networking groups like Classroom 2.0.   We share the latest research, tool and best practice which can be utilized in the classroom or at home.   And by the way, I don't pay a dime for this.

My eyes have been open to the possibilities.    I realize that most parents are not able to know where their child is academically everyday.    But they can and they should.   However, more parents and teachers need to be aware of the possibilities technology can bring to education.   However, it is not just about having more computers or a “smartboard” in the classroom – it is about how we use technology and how we can learn from others to improve.    It is about aligning the child, parent, teacher, principal, and school system to success. 

My challenge to the education community is to leverage the online world to align what every child needs to learn every day to each child’s team (parent, teacher, etc.).  This focus will give rise to more higher achievers in the classroom, and improve the world we live in.

The world is changing through technology… Let’s use technology to change the world!