CTO certification

Accountants have the CPA exam. Lawyers must pass the Bar. I'm guessing that dentists and doctors have some sort of test. Teachers and librarians qualify for licensure. One of the marks of a professional is an objective demonstration of knowledge and proficiency in one's field of practice. While such credentials have never been a guarantee of excellence, it is comforting to see that framed diploma on the dentist's wall when she's coming at you with a big whining drill.

So I was excited to read about an effort by CoSN to certify Chief Technology Officers (CTOs). I've looked over the e-mail below about the CETL certification and even attended a session on the topic this week at our local tech conference, TIES. Unhappily, the more I dig into CETL, the more questions I have. These questions include:

• Will any potential employer actually recognize CETL certification as a valid indicator of proficiency? (How many HR directors or superintendents even know what CoSN is or what it represents?)
• How valid is using a multiple-guess test in determining a knowledge and skills base for this field, given its changing nature, its diversity of responsibilities, its lack of best practice research, and its dependence of success on interpersonal skills? (Full disclosure - I only scored 40% on the practice test, despite having been a tech director for 20 years.)
• Are the costs of the test and prep materials reasonable?* The exam prep book is $350 for members/$550 for non-members; the exam cost is $400/$700; the exam re-take cost is $200 per part, per re-take; and the recertification (required every three years) cost is $150/$300. OK, for something as recognized and established as the CPA exam, I could buy this. But these prices for a new test with no track record?

I have no issues with core "competencies" of CoSN's Framework of Essential Skills. I don't have a problem with some sort of assessment of proficiency in these areas.

But for my money - both as one looking to hire and one who wants to be hired - I'd advise that your candidate CTO has a track record of accomplishments as demonstrated by a portfolio of work.

The reality is that assholes can pass tests, but rarely get much accomplished in the real world of education. I'd not expect much from someone with a few letters behind his/her name. I'd look for experience - and success.

* It's ironic that technology, through MOOCs. badges, etc., is allowing people to explore alternative means of learning and accomplishment in learning to the traditional and expensive educational processes. For a cuttin' edge organization CoSN seems to be woefully ignorant of the movement.

Have you mastered the knowledge needed to bring 21st century learning to your school district? If so, CoSN invites you to test this knowledge by sitting for CoSN’s Certified Education Technology Leader (CETL) certification exam. Those who pass this rigorous exam will hold the CETL designation, which will demonstrate to your supervisors and colleagues that you are committed to bringing leading edge technology to our nation’s schools. ...

What is the CETL Certification?
The CETL certification exam is based on the Framework of Essential Skills for K-12 CTO. Developed by professionals working in the field, the Framework is the body of knowledge that successful education technology leaders must have to bring 21st century learning environments into our nation’s schools.

How is the Exam Structured?
There are two parts to the exam:

• Part I is a multiple-choice, two-hour exam administered through Internet-Based Testing (IBT) at a proctored test site. You will be given a pass/fail notification at the end of the exam.
• Part II of the exam is essay based. Those who pass Part I will be sent an email with instructions for taking Part II, which may be completed on your own computer. Candidates will have seven days to submit their essays (submission instructions and the deadline will be provided in the email).

Is Certification Right for Me?
The CoSN CETL certification program is specifically designed for CTOs and those aspiring to be CTOs. Those who achieve CETL certification will:

• Demonstrate to your colleagues, superintendents, and subordinates that you have mastered the body of knowledge needed to bring 21st century technology to K-12 school districts.
• Show your dedication to remaining current in the education technology field through the CETL recertification requirements.
• Work with your school district to ensure that technology is considered and implemented in all aspects of your school district’s strategic planning.

If you aspire to achieve these goals, the CETL certification is right for you.

...

For more information about the CETL exam, please visit the CETL Certification website.

BFTP: The radical center of education

A weekend Blue Skunk "feature" will be a revision of an old post. I'm calling this BFTP: Blast from the Past. Original post December 15, 2007. A article bases on this post was published in Teacher-Librarian magazine June 2008. The article can be found here.

Last Sunday I caught just a bit of the Speaking of Faith program on National Public Radio. Tippett was interviewing the author of The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren, and his wife Kay. As a couple, they lead a large Evangelical church, but also are working on AIDS prevention. One particular comment by Kay stuck me. She sees her church as a moderate organization, neither fundamentalist nor liberal. And she believes this to be the most difficult position for it to take because it has two sets of critics - those from both the extreme left and the extreme right.

While the Radical Center political movement has been around for a while, I suggest that we in education and technology adopt a similar view on hot button topics. (And one thing that blog reading/writing has taught me is that there are PLENTY of emotion-laden topics in education!) While a polarized view of reading methodologies, filtering, DRM, Open Source, copyright/copyleft, constructivism, e-books, fixed schedules, Mac/PC/Linux, OLPC, fear-mongering, etc. makes for entertaining reading and good PR, I wonder if radical stances actually create educational change and so impact kids lives.

As a radical centerist in education, I try to subscribe to the following principles (This is just Saturday morning brainstorming and subject to revision, OK?) Sorry about many of these being clichés.

1. Adopt an "and" not "or" mindset.
2. Look for truth and value in all beliefs and practices. 
3. Respect the perspective of the individual. 
4. One size does not fit all (kids or teachers).
5. If you think it will work, it probably will.
6. The elephant can only be eaten one bite at a time. Or is it that you can't leap the chasm in two bounds?
7. To travel fast, travel alone. To travel far, travel with others. 
8. Don't be afraid to say, "I don't know."
9. Measurement is good, but not everything can be measured.
10. Know and keep your core values.

I'll try to flesh these ideas out and revise them over the next week or two. I'd be delighted to hear from others who consider themselves a part of the radical center. And to hear from the fringes as well on just why this is a bad idea. (Will I regret having just written that?)

Image from mathworld.wolfram.com/. 

The blind men and the elephant

One of the things I really love in my job is representing the technology department at district-wide student council meetings. Usually about once a year, I get invited to participate in a dialog among representative student council members from each of our secondary schools, the superintendent, and school board members. The students are never shy about what they love, hate, and hope about technology. The most recent meeting was held yesterday.

Students in our district  also serve on the district's technology advisory committee and a couple students are in both groups. Early in the meeting, I complimented the students who serve on the advisory committee on how important their role is and how valuable their input had been over the years. A school board member (who had also served on the tech advisory committee) asked me to explain what that group did.

Now officially being a long-winded old fart, I began the explanation by mentioning the old story of the blind men and the elephant and how it illustrates how no one person can see every piece of a really big thing - like technology use in schools. And that is the reason why a group with lots of different perspectives makes better decisions than a single individual.

The mention of the story drew blank looks from all two dozen kids and a couple school board members. "Wait, everybody knows this story, right?" Heads shook. I gave my version and on the meeting went.

When I got back to the office, I asked my secretaries if they knew the blind men and the elephant story. None of them did. For the rest of the day I asked everyone I met if they knew the story and its meaning. 

My assumption about a common cultural literacy came crashing down.

So, assuming that our little community isn't some odd island of ignorance, I am sharing my favorite version of the fable below. This poem and the illustration above are from the <http://www.noogenesis.com/pineapple/blind_men_elephant.html> 

Enjoy...

THE BLIND MEN AND THE ELEPHANT

John Godfrey Saxe's ( 1816-1887) version of the famous Indian legend

It was six men of Indostan
To learning much inclined,
Who went to see the Elephant
(Though all of them were blind),
That each by observation
Might satisfy his mind.

The First approach'd the Elephant,
And happening to fall
Against his broad and sturdy side,
At once began to bawl:
"God bless me! but the Elephant
Is very like a wall!"

The Second, feeling of the tusk,
Cried, -"Ho! what have we here
So very round and smooth and sharp?
To me 'tis mighty clear
This wonder of an Elephant
Is very like a spear!"

The Third approached the animal,
And happening to take
The squirming trunk within his hands,
Thus boldly up and spake:
"I see," quoth he, "the Elephant
Is very like a snake!"

The Fourth reached out his eager hand,
And felt about the knee.
"What most this wondrous beast is like
Is mighty plain," quoth he,
"'Tis clear enough the Elephant 
Is very like a tree!"

The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear,
Said: "E'en the blindest man
Can tell what this resembles most;
Deny the fact who can,
This marvel of an Elephant
Is very like a fan!"

The Sixth no sooner had begun
About the beast to grope,
Then, seizing on the swinging tail
That fell within his scope,
"I see," quoth he, "the Elephant
Is very like a rope!"

And so these men of Indostan
Disputed loud and long,
Each in his own opinion
Exceeding stiff and strong,
Though each was partly in the right,
And all were in the wrong!

MORAL.

So oft in theologic wars, 
The disputants, I ween, 
Rail on in utter ignorance 
Of what each other mean, 
And prate about an Elephant 
Not one of them has seen!