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This is the book we discussed with Alan about the global achievement gap and the implications for 21st century school leadership. It is my professional opinion that you and your leadership cabinets all read this in order to callibrate your instructional and technological initiatives. "The Global Achievement Gap Posted: August 20, 2008 By Kevin Conlon , a new book by Tony Wagner, codirector of the The Global Achievement GapChange Leadership Group, examines the U.S. education system in the 21st century, considers why American students are falling behind their international peers, and proposes methods to begin to correct the downward slide."

Now more than ever, education should prepare students for global civility and peace. So what in the world are we waiting for? Good teachers and principals, in the United States and elsewhere, know that good education begins with clarity of purpose. The purpose of schooling is to prepare students for life in the real world in their communities and societies, both in the present-while students are in school-and in the future-after they leave school behind.

We needed to consider a collaboration center that includes a long conference table with a plasma screen at the end, level with students who will be seated around the table-almost removing the barriers of geography. Within spaces like these, it will be important for librarians to teach students how to responsibly and safely connect with others from around the world. You can show students how to go online and find other students, professionals and organizations that would be willing to discuss and debate topics being studied. You can make use of web databases such as ePALS where classrooms from India, China, Australia and other countries abroad are waiting to bring a new dimension into learning. Additionally, you can use software like Skype that will allow your students to make these connections for free through online audio and video conferencing.

If you get a chance, check out the "Be Playful" link on the Reimagine:Ed site too. Some great video on the power of creativity in the learning environment. Talk about global perspective!