The Future of Education Allison Kinard

Emmett O’Brien Technical High School

Connecticut Technical High School System and Emmett O’Brien THS

Connecticut Technical High School System was founded in 1910.

Currently O’Brien serves 546 students from the Valley region of Connecticut (“Emmett,” 2012, p. 1).

Ten different technologies available to choose from; electrical, HVAC, plumbing, health technologies, machine tool, CADD, automotive, culinary, hairdressing, and carpentry (“Emmett,” 2012, p. 5).

Students graduate with a diploma and technical license in one of multiple trades (“Connecticut,” n.d.).

Emmett O’Brien’s Classroom The system went through its most significant

changes in 2005 by adding college preparation classes and modernization of the technical courses (McQuillan, 2010).

In 2011, O’Brien reported a 0% dropout rate but at the same time only 43.4% seek a secondary education degree (“Emmett,” 2012, p. 5).

“Emmett O'Brien’s Mission Statement: Emmett O’Brien will provide our students with a comprehensive educational program that prepares them academically, technically and socially to become responsible, successful and contributing members to society” (“Mission,” n.d.).

FUTURING Futuring is the concept of building a scenario of

what and where something will be in the future based on quantitative and qualitative data (Mietzner & Reger, 2005, p. 220).

By using futuring in education we can prepare better for preparing our students for the future.

Futuring will make better citizens for society.Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, “We cannot

always build the future for our youth but we can build our youth for the future” (Reese, 2009, p. 14).

Image retrieved from http://buckontech.blogspot.com/2012_12_01_archive.html

FUTURING TECHNIQUESScenarios- builds a set of predictions of the future

Strengths- able to look at multiple possibilities, makes people challenge long held beliefs, and allows people to prepare for any possibility

Weaknesses- time consuming and a lot of data must be accumulated (Mietzner & Reger, 2005, p. 221).

Scanning- using research-based and observational data to make decisions about the futureStrengths- research-based data can look at trends Weaknesses- observational data can lead to bias

(Sobrero, 2004, p. 2).

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TechnologyUse of multiple technologies such as mobile devices,

web content, and social media can be used to increase learning and make it more enticing for students.

Hybrid online classes in high school can provide more contact time with teachers, chance of college credits, and students can go at their own pace (Blackboard K-12, 2009, p.3).

Web 2.0 includes web content, social media, and wikis which students are already so comfortable with and will open doors to using mobile devices for learning (Becta, 2008, p. 3).

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Public Policy and Funding Public policy such as the Common Core State Standards

and Obama’s federal aid for schools increase will have a large impact on the future of our schools.

Common Core State Standards goals are to make our students college and career ready and competitive with other students internationally by focusing on English language arts and mathematics (National Education Association, 2014, p. 2-7).

Federal funding has been proposed to be increased by President Obama in the 2015 school year which will make implementing more technologies and the Common Core State Standards possible (Litvinov, 2014, para. 3).

Image retrieved from http://www.corestandards.org/

Vision in Five YearsStudents use mobile devices in classTeachers incorporate open content resources Students and teachers communicate on

social media to continue class discusses for homework and to extend lessons creating classes into hybrid courses

Image retrieved from: http://theagendadaily.com/mobile-phone-usage-doubled-according-latest-ofcom-report/

Five ChallengesHave to turn down more students due to

increase of applicantsDiscipline issues with mobile devicesIncreased bullying issues with social

media and mobile devicesStruggle between teacher and student

roles due to knowledge of technologiesStudents who cannot afford mobile

deviceswill be left behind

Five BenefitsIncreased applications of

prospective studentsHigh level thinking students

attendingIncreased rigor due to online

hybrid coursesMore learning due to

students’ interest in using technologies

Use of open content makes learning have endless possibilities

Call To ActionAdministration needs to give a survey to

choose best fit teachers to become school coaches to train staff in Common Core State Standards and technologies

Research and compare data to find best professional development to send coaches to

Have coaches train the staff in CCSS and new technologies until everyone becomes comfortable

Work on getting grants and more funding to support better technology

References Becta. (2008). Analysis of emerging trends affecting the use of technology in

education. Retrieved from https://post.blackboard.com/bbcswebdav/courses/EDU505.901238026230/Documents/Analysis%20of%20Emerging%20Trends%20Research%20Report.pdf

Blackboard K-12. (2009). Learning in the 21st Century: 2009 Trends Update. Retrieved from https://post.blackboard.com/bbcswebdav/courses/EDU505.901238026230/Documents/2009%20Online%20Trend%20Report.pdf

Connecticut Technical High School. (n.d.). Program of Studies. Retrieved from http://www.cttech.org/central/Program-of-studies/index.htm

Emmett O’Brien Technical High School. (2012). Strategic School Profile 2011-2-2012. Retrieved from http://www.cttech.org/OBRIEN/aboutus/ssp/DIST900-25.pdf

Litvinov, A. (2014, March 5). Obama calls for end to austerity in education. Retrieved from http://educationvotes.nea.org/2014/03/05/obama-calls-for-end-to-austerity-in-education/

McQuillan, Dr. Mark K., (2010, October 18). CTHSS to Celebrate 100th Anniversary at October 29th Statewide Event. Connecticut Technical High School System News. Retrieved from http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/lib/sde/pdf/pressroom/cthss100thanniversary.pdf

ReferencesLitvinov, A. (2014, March 5). Obama calls for end to austerity in

education. Retrieved from http://educationvotes.nea.org/2014/03/05/obama-calls-for-end-to-austerity-in-education/

Mietzner, D. & Reger, G. (2005). Advantages and disadvantages of scenario approaches for strategic foresight. Int. J. Technology Intelligence and Planning,1, 220-239.

• Mission Statement. (n.d.). Emmett O’Brien Mission Statement. Retrieved from http://www.cttech.org/OBRIEN/aboutus/mission.htm

National Education Association. (2014). NEA Common Core State Standards Toolkit. Retrieved from http://www.nea.org/assets/docs/14047-CommonCore_Toolkit_14.pdf

Reese, S. (2009). Gazing into the Future. Techniques: Connecting Education And Careers, 84, 14-19.

Sobrero, P. (2004, June). The Steps for Futuring. Journal of Extension, 42, 1-5.

IMAGEShttp://buckontech.blogspot.com/2012_12_

01_archive.htmlhttp://socialmediatoday.com/monica-romer

i/2181461/new-social-media-statistics-you-need-know

http://theagendadaily.com/mobile-phone-usage-doubled-according-latest-ofcom-report/