As if you needed another reason to speed up the embedded use of bootleg technology in your classroom(s), consider this: Bootleg technology provides an opportunity for students to have some “skin in the game.”  Our smart phones, tablets and other bootleg technology devices are quickly becoming an extension of our person.  Especially for the generation that doesn’t know of a world without cellular phones and laptop computers. Our students own their connection to the broader world, more so than we ever did as children. 

So what does that mean for us, the educator?  It means that with a little common sense, purposeful action and the genius of Tom Sawyer, we can bootleg the bootleg technology. If we embed the habit of using the personal tech tool for educational purposes, we can extend learning into every waking moment of the student’s life.  We know that the average teenager interacts with 3,000 texts a month. Many teenagers now report that they find it easier to text someone than to actually talk to them.  That is powerful information about a powerful tool. The question I have for you is, “What are you going to do about it?”

A number of you in the LYS Nation are now using your own 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 September 23, 2012.

1. Dr McNeil: Last Texas legislative session we cut our education budget but did not cut our Pearson testing contract. (By @TroyMooney)

2. Ethical dilemma: Is it wrong to speed if you are trying to get to church on time? (By @mike_metz)

3. Meeting today with NYU professors to discuss the use of the Foundation Trinity & the Fundamental 5 for continuous school improvement.

4. HHS CBA Process: If you are not getting movement from your common assessments, challenge your system, not your students. (By @brandyjbaker)

5. The tardy “warning” bell only serves to encourage students to meander for most of the passing period.

6. We would have less need for security on campus if administration and staff all monitored hallways during every passing period.

7. On a HS campus that by policy doesn’t allow the use of bootleg technology in classes. Should we bring back the slide rule?

8. Never confuse the fact that you know to do something is the same thing as doing it.

9. Gave a shout out to Fundamental Five as a great resource for leaders today at TASA with Alan November! Great Day! (By @jenniferzsch)

10. The Fundamental 5 (Cain & Laird) just shot past 20,000 copies sold! Thank you, LYS Nation!!!

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/Fundamental5
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool)
• Upcoming Presentations: Region 10 ESC Fall Leadership Conference (Keynote), Advancing Improvement in Education Conference (Multiple Presentations), TASSP Assistant Principals’ Workshop (Featured Speaker), North Dakota Association of Secondary School Principals (Keynote), American Association of School Administrators Conference (Multiple Presentations), National Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations)
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation