Soon the broadband stimulus RFPs will be released and there will be a flurry of proposal writing for the $7+ billion for rural broadband and for the rest of the $787 Billion.

The big, big, big question is who has broadband training best practices curriculum guaranteed to produce jobs, jobs, jobs?

In the relationship age, also the knowledge age, also the innovation age, it is imagination and the ability to become a self-starter that appears to be necessary for employment. As educators, how can we best instill the love of learning in our students, who are likely to have over 15 different vocations in their careers?

The ability to search and find what they need to know on a daily basis, just-in-time inquiry-based learning...is a priority skill.

The ability to stay current on trends amid a growing global entrepreneurship culture using online collaboration and multi-media "feeds" of all kinds - is another priority.

The self-awareness to focus on balance and lifestyle, and the importance of helping others, global service learning, is yet another priority.
 

I hear we're now in competition with everyone, everywhere, for everything, and this raises a lot of interesting questions about how and whether we value education in our country as compared to other countries, many of which have far exceeded the U.S. in producing motivated learners. Our HS drop out rate averages 4/10, and I think our K12 and higher education systems would warrant a D- by any grading scale. I'd fault failed policies like No Child Left Behind, not our hard-working, under appreciated educators.

My latest little project, as you've heard repeatedly is the 21st Century Learn, Earn, and Serve Academy at http://lone-eagles.com/workforce101.htm 

Trying to summarize essential 21st Century Workforce Basics...in a cliff notes multimedia format for Alaskan HS drop outs - is a whale of a challenge. It involves addressing low reading and literacy levels, short attention spans, and an anti-education bias. This pilot project first effort has been my opportunity to use youtube, wikis, blogs, podcasts and video captures to present what's possible in a summative manner along with hands-on skillbuilders.  I have learned a lot in the process of first phase development and plan to redo all eight lessons.
 

There are too many of all ages who have not yet started to get involved in learning about the digital opportunities around them, and the pace of innovation is accelerating.

The thought I'd like to leave you with is that if fast Internet and home computers were available to everyone in Alaska's rapidly dwindling Alaskan Native villages and rural Communities, (as is planned via broadband stimulus funding) how rapidly could we grow an entrepreneurial culture such that sustainable ecommerce and telework jobs would allow young families to migrate back to the villages to revitalize the cultural and economic vitality of all villages and communities? Could we create such a cultural shift before it is too late?  I think we'd need to start with the K-3 learners.
 

Most villages have 7/10 drop out rates, many leaving school in junior high. Big Questions. Big opportunities for educational innovations.