Three things to think about as you consider allowing the use of bootleg technology on your campus. First, it is already occurring, both by adults and students. The system is just forcing the early adopters to hide their knowledge and expertise. Second, you need to review and revise campus and district policy in order to turn your early adopters from scofflaws into trailblazers, tutors and mentors. Finally, you need to be prepared to beef up your Wi-Fi access and ensure campus-wide coverage. You may think that what you currently have will suffice, but once everybody is trying to access the system, you will immediately notice the effect of limited bandwidth. The good news is that the fix is less expensive than buying new computers or hardwiring classrooms for more internet connections. A number of you in the LYS Nation are now using bootleg technology devices to follow Twitter. If you haven’t done so yet, we want you to join us. To let you see what you are missing, here are the Top 10 LYS Tweets from the week of July 10, 2011, as tabulated by the accountants at Price Waterhouse. 1. Just read “The Fundamental 5” today. Very informative, enlightening book. Look forward to bringing the knowledge to my faculty. (By blitzkrieg 607) 2. Options instead of “test prep.” 1 – Teach the scope and sequence. 2 – Embed more reading. 3 – Embed more writing. 4 – Embed more discussion. 3. I’m ok with the idea of paying teachers for exceptional performance. But wouldn’t that require at least adequate school funding? 4. I would have no problem with merit pay if it were based on the performance of at-risk students. Having all of my affluent students pass isn’t extraordinary. 5. So my at-risk merit pay plan idea isn’t fair to GT & AP teachers? Sure it is. They just have to teach a section of at-risk students. 6. So my at-risk merit pay plan isn’t fair to teachers at schools with no at-risk students? Sure it is. Just change schools. Less risk = less reward. 7. I find it funny that our Governor and Legislators easily break their commitment to students and schools, but not to the testing companies. 8. I would like for politicians to define the level of performance expected for the level of investment. That is fair. 9. The problem is that they (politicians) won’t do that. Because, it (school performance and funding) is not about value. It is about opportunism (on both sides) and greed. 10. You could have a no cost 1 to 1 technology environment on the first day of class if you allowed students to bring and use their smart phones and tablets. Think. Work. Achieve. Your turn… Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com! http://tinyurl.com/4ydqd4t Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation