Forward Fast

FORWARD FAST explores the extraordinary impact that the internet and web-enabled devices have had on schools. Educational leader and author, Marc Isseks, conveys the need for today’s classrooms to be centers of context, not content. In this exciting new world, principals, teachers, parents and students have the opportunity to permanently transform learning and redefine what meaningful instruction is all about. Isseks explains how to promote creativity and innovation from the teacher’s lounge to the superintendent’s office. Armed with tools and strategies that foster more engaging classrooms, educators feel empowered to achieve their full potential. Valuable insights are also provided for parents who often fail to fully conceive the incredibly powerful – and often negative – impact the internet and social media are having on their children. Lastly, the author paves the way for educators to design coursework that goes well beyond STEM initiatives. Children not only need the skills to work in a technological world, they need to learn how to live in a world with technology. A self-proclaimed “educational pyromaniac,” Marc Isseks intends to light fires under educators who work and set fire to systemic conventions that do not, in an effort to meet the academic, social and emotional needs of children in a world moving FORWARD FAST.

A must read for school leaders and all educators at any stage in their careers. At a time when spoon-feeding content no longer makes it, Marc Isseks gives us both the big picture and the small steps that it will take to truly motivate today's learners. This lively and engaging read will have you smiling with recognition and nodding in agreement at the the need to chuck rote activities like the dreaded Do Now or the uninspiring Aim question in exchange for bold new ways of thinking about teaching and learning., FORWARD FAST reminds us that technology should not drive our instruction, but rather, should enhance the way we present our topics. Those topics, however, need to change to adapt to an ever changing world. We can’t just teach the way we always did and we certainly can’t teach what we always taught!, For years, educators and school organizations have studied how data-driven pedagogy impacts student learning. Isseks lays bare the counter narrative to that analysis with the impact that technology integration has had on our students, teachers, and school communities. We now live in a beta world. What we see today may be far different from last week. With the fast pace in which technology has brought about positive change, we are finally placing the focus on learning and from there, deciding on sound pedagogy., Living and learning in this current technological revolution is not about devices and programs, but the ability to personalize instruction more than any other time in history. FORWARD FAST amplifies the call to action for educators to prepare students to be producers rather than consumers in this unprecedented age.

Marc Isseks has been an educator for nearly 25 years, serving as a classroom teacher, department chairperson, content specialist and building administrator. To learn more about the Internet Ethics curriculum, follow Marc on Twitter: @marcisseks or visit marcisseks.com.