Appreciate the daily links from Wesley Fryer's "Moving at the Speed of Creativity" blog. A huge range of Web2.0 topics, and everything else under the 21st Century of Education sun. Here is just one reason why:
From the "Including Cyberspace in Official Mission" post, 12.30.05:
The U.S. Air Force announced a new mission statement in early December 2005:
The mission of the United States Air Force is to deliver sovereign options for the defense of the United States of America and its global interests — to fly and fight in Air, Space, and Cyberspace.
This replaced the previous mission statement:
To defend the United States and protect its interests through air and space power.
Mission statements of businesses and other organizations may at times seem superfluous, but they are meant to direct the daily focus and work of individuals working toward a common goal. I think it is significant that US Air Force leaders have recognized the importance of the electronic environment to the security picture of the United States, and chosen to formally acknowledge this by including “cyberspace” in its mission statement.
I am wondering if schools should similarly acknowledge the much-changed informational environment in which we live by changing their core missions to reflect the importance of developing digital literacy? I think they probably should.
Not only does Wes do a great job of seeing the link between the link -- who would have made the connection between the US Airforce's new mission statement and offered up a challenge to all of us involved in the world poised towards the "future of learning" -- but he also reminds us that our challenge may be larger than simply doing 'better' what we've done for centuries.
Digital literacy. Keep an eye/ear open for what Wes is talking about.
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