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There is an educational creativity expert named Ken Robinson who says, "We are in the middle of an education revolution." That is to say that the American system of education, by necessity, has to change. One aspect of this change is the dawning of the digital age. Most students are going to have to have technology skills to survive and thrive in the 21st century.

That being said, it means something to what we, the educators and families of ISD 118, need to do to prepare our students for their futures. Think about these education statistics:

- Over 6 million college students took at least one class online (31% of all college students, 51% of of all college freshmen).

- Of the top 125 businesses in America, more than 66% of employees are at least partially trained using a virtual classroom (online class) and 94% have the access needed for training.

- Technology jobs now make up over 23% of all jobs in America, have a lower unemployment rate (3.3% vs. 9.2%), and are one of two quickly growing industries in America (medicine being the other).

Keeping these numbers in mind, along with other statistics you know like over 3 billion users on Facebook (that's half the planet), it becomes clear how technology is and will continue to change education. We need to be on the front edge of this technological wave if we are to serve our students in a satisfactory way.

Technology will always be a tool not unlike the wheel, screwdriver, or the hand axe. Learning language, math, arts, sciences, social skills, collaboration skills and problem solving skills will always be the business of educational institutions. I hate to think of the impact of failing to provide our students with the tools they need to succeed in the future. The future demands it seems, according to most educational, technological, and economical experts, a new skill set for our students to learn when they leave school and enter adult life.[[In-content Ad]]

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