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The Long Tail in Education
In 2006, Chris Anderson defined a transformation in business with his book The Long Tail. We’ve invested billions of dollars in technology as well as time and talent into improving education in this country. But the tail of our learning curve keeps getting longer. If we continue to teach to the masses with interventions for the most common problems, we will never meet the needs of the millions of students falling into the niches. They are teaching themselves and each other in social networks and game sites. How can we increase the wisdom of the crowds by delivering a sound education to the long tail learners?
1. July 2008 at 2:15 pm :
Thanks for creating and maintaining this blog.
We have a serious vision problem with school leaders. I think most school administrators have a very out-of-touch view of what’s possible if we turn teachers and students loose with technology as a teaching and learning tool.
I do think individual teachers can — and do — make a difference. This is vitally important. But school administrators need to be school leaders and do much more to encourage and promote collaboration, shared leadership and robust communication.
The kids are ready. We know that. We need to change the structure of schools and without 21st century educational leaders, we are swimming upstream.