Education Summit

The future of education: Responding to uncertainty

ISU eyes education future with summit

Nov. 29, 2007

There's both an urgent need for new teachers, and the need for teachers to embrace new methods to connect with today's students. Those were major themes at this month's education summit at ISU, according to David Whaley, associate dean for teacher education in the College of Human Sciences and director of the University Teacher Education Program.

The one-day summit featured national education speakers and drew state legislators, Iowa Department of Education officials, researchers, and other educators from all levels of PreK-16 education among its 128 participants.

Since the event, Whaley and other ISU faculty have made plans to regularly convene groups of Iowa educators and business partners to provide recommendations for Iowa's future schooling communities. They will also identify schools and programs in Iowa that have already created futurist learning communities, and encourage them to serve as demonstration sites for all educators. Whaley says organizers are considering a second summit that will focus on specific strategies essential for education's survival.

A complete review of this month's summit, including video of the speakers and their PowerPoint presentations, is available below.

Iowans challenge education conventions, promote innovation in education at ISU Summit

Nov. 5, 2007

State legislators, Iowa Department of Education officials, researchers, school administrators, teachers, and business leaders joined together on Friday to probe into the future and challenge conventions that stymie advances in PreK-16 education. The one-day summit was held Nov. 2 on the Iowa State University campus in Ames.

Participants examined revolutionary changes in the way students interact and learn and hashed out ways to individualize teaching and close the achievement gap. Small groups generated ideas for channeling the mass departure of teachers and transforming American education. The colleagues also considered strategies for simultaneously advancing education and the economy.

"At Iowa State University, we are thinking about creative ways to get to the place in the future that will enable us to compete more effectively in the global marketplace," said David Whaley, associate dean for teacher education in the College of Human Sciences and director of the University Teacher Education Program at Iowa State. "We're bringing together people who have the capacity to change the way our schools work -- to create a brighter future for our children," said Whaley, who coordinated the summit.

Program

"The education crisis: It's here, now what?"
Cheryl Achterberg, Dean, College of Human Sciences, Iowa State University
Cheryl Achterberg's slides

"The View from the National Science Board"
Elizabeth Hoffman, Executive Vice-President and Provost, Iowa State University
Elizabeth Hoffman's slides
"Would Students Come to School if They Didn't Have to? Drivers of Change for the Future.”
Jill Conrad, Senior Consultant for Policy and Planning, Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL )

Video and slides of presentations by Cheryl Achterberg, Elizabeth Hoffman, and Jill Conrad, with introductions by David Whaley Cheryl Achterbergs remarks begin at 9:04, Elizabeth Hoffman's at 30:11, and Jill Conrad's at 56:31.

“Reinventing Teaching to Meet the Needs of the 21st Century Learner.”
Karen Smith, Chief Operating Officer, National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future

Video and slides of Karen Smith's presentation, with introductions by David Whaley. Smith's remarks begin at 3:36.

Reflection and reaction to the critical knowledge presented in the morning session
Charles Dobbs, Professor and Chair of the Department of History, Iowa State University

Small group discussions to identify strategies. Scenario topics including: science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in a competitive global marketplace, role of government, technology development, social values, control of learning, and teacher education for the future.

Summary of day's outcomes. Next steps.
Carl Smith, Professor and Chair, Curriculum and Instruction, Iowa State University

Video and slides from presentation by Charles Dobbs, small group discussion spokespersons, and summit summary by Carl Smith. Dobb's remarks begin at 1:00. Reports from the small group discussion begin at 20:50. Summary remarks by Carl Smith, with introduction by David Whaley, begins at 25:58.

To ask a question or submit a comment or suggestion related to the future of Iowa's education, click the "share your feedback" link, above, left. Submissions will be reviewed by David Whaley, associate dean for teacher education. Or, contact David Whaley or DeeAnna Bechtel directly by phone 515 294-7800, or email dbechtel@iastate.edu.