Embrace technology

This time next year the dust will be settling on ballot initiatives challenging all three prongs of the "Students Come First" education plan adopted by the 2011 Idaho Legislature. The new laws restrict the bargaining powers of local teachers unions and eliminate indefinite continuing contracts for all new teachers. They also call for advances in classroom technology and merit pay increases for teachers.

But be prepared: At some point, online delivery of education is coming to a public high school near you.

Starting this year, the state is distributing $13 million annually for advanced classroom technology and professional development. Students in the Class of 2016 will be required to take two online credits. That's two of 46 credits required by the state. High school teachers will be provided mobile computing devices next fall. The state will begin deploying mobile computing devices for high school students in autumn 2013.

To some parents and educators, this is the beginning of the end of all that's right in the education world. But to others, this is a step that's both prudent and necessary.

One of the elements we find most intriguing is that the online delivery method seems to be sparking bonfires of innovation. Do a search of "Khan Academy" and you'll find an organization whose mission is to provide a free, world-class education to anyone, anywhere. With more than 2,700 educational videos that are free to access, Khan Academy has delivered almost 90 million lessons. Public educators around the country are beginning to embrace Khan Academy.

Other unorthodox but effective delivery methods are popping up as well. A practice called "flipping" has teachers videotape their lectures and assign those as online homework, saving valuable classroom time to work one on one or in small groups with students.

While the state teachers' union and others fight the mandated march of more technology in the classroom, supporters cite financial incentives - imperatives? - for online delivery of some classes. In Idaho alone, many millions will be saved by reduced need to invest in more bricks and mortar for school buildings. Further, many more students can be served by a single online class delivered to multiple schools, reducing the need to add teachers and administrators.

Technology offers tools that the business world ignored or avoided at its own peril for the past decade or more. It has a place in public education, and we're eager to see how it can enhance the learning experience of Idaho students.