95. We cant solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them. —— Albert Einstein 如果我们面临的重大问题在思维认识水平与我们创建它们时处于同一水平上，我们不可能解决这些问题。 —— 艾尔伯特 · 爱因斯坦
105. 《 Did You Know 》 作者 Dr. Howie DiBlasi Durango , Colorado Tools For The Classroom www.toolsfortheclassroom.com
Editor's Notes
....anyone … anywhere … anytime with Howie DiBlasi! The revelations of TxDLA member Howie DiBlasi read of digital-age literacy, inventive thinking, effective communication and high productivity. Within the letters to fellow disciples of 21st century learning skills, the message is to prepare students for a global economy. “ I am a zealot (a person who shows zeal or fanatic) for 21st century learning,” DiBlasi said. “We as educators must change the way we teach our students.” As IT director with Durango, Colo., school district, DiBlasi espouses his beliefs as devoutly as his personal faith. Planning to retire in 2008, he keeps motivated as an educator by “spreading the gospel of 21st century learning and observing educators/administrators that get excited on how it can change the way we educate our ‘digital natives’,” he said. Quoting from leading educational technologist Alan November, DiBlasi cites the need for students to be self-directed as they come to understand how to organize their own learning and deal with massive amounts of information. “ We also need to teach our students how to be prepared for jobs that don’t yet exist,” DiBlasi said, “using technologies that haven’t been invented in order to solve problems we don’t even know are problems yet.” The emphasis on career preparedness should not be surprising. DiBlasi’s roots as a teacher began in Lake Havasu City, Ariz., where he was selected as Arizona’s vocational teacher of the year and developed a program recognized as “most innovative.” After 20 years, DiBlasi entered the private sector and owned a retail computer business for 13 years. Upon completion of his doctorate in educational technology, he began serving as IT director for Durango. Through the past 15 years, DiBlasi has brought others into the fold with online courses and interactive video conferencing (IVC). “ IVC fulfills our goal of continuously looking for ways to integrate technology into the classroom and make learning more effective,” DiBlasi said. As a ranching community nestled among mountainous landscape, Durango students have introduced other students to a lifestyle contrasting to the cement and skyscrapers. “ I still get a kick when I see the collaboration projects between a big city and a small community,” DiBlasi said. In a video conference with children in the Bronx, New York, youngsters discussed why kids in the Bronx cannot play outside because of gangs while the kids in Durango play in parks, schoolyards and wide-open spaces surrounded by mountains. DiBlasi described this project as “eye opening and jaw dropping” as many kids in the New York suburb had never seen a mountain. “ What a great way to connect two very different cultures,” DiBlasi said. Last year Durango students participated in more than 100 IVC with content providers including the Bronx Zoo, Center for Puppetry Arts, Chicago Museum of Science, and Alaska Sea Life Center to name a few. “ The use of IVC has allowed our students interaction with experts at these locations and truly provides the global connection,” DiBlasi said. “This technology has enhanced learning in the classroom and reduced the workload on teachers and staff.” DiBlasi anticipates his latest venture this next school year featuring “Live from the Heart,” a live open-heart surgery in which students interact with the surgeon. Another new project will work with former Disney animators and the new Durango-based company GeeGuides to develop tools to interpret and create art. Emmy-nominated computer animator Eric Guaglione met DiBlasi a year ago and currently is beta testing the company’s entertaining, interactive art education system. The company also will provide six IVCs for the district. “ He (Guaglione) is an excellent example of working with the community to share globally his experience to our students in Durango and around the world,” DiBlasi said. Durango school district also uses IVC for staff development and administrative meetings. With the inclusion of Blackboard, the district provides classes in educational technology and information literacy state wide. “ Blackboard allowed us to go one step further beyond the IVC,” DiBlasi said. “We provide a discussion board, creative writing, book chats, writing across the curriculum, visual literacy, digital story telling and several other classes.” DiBlasi currently utilizes Blackboard to provide communication for a special interest group as part of the National Education Computing Conference. Continuing to expand his message’s reach, DiBlasi will present on the topic of free software for 21st century learning during the next TxDLA conference. His first presentation, “Video Conferencing: Lessons Learned – Year One,” came after meeting Patrick Crawford from Region XI and Marci Powell. DiBlasi has since attended several sessions including the leadership session offered at last year’s conference. Among the personal connections developed during state and national conferences, DiBlasi has met Tommy Bearden, Roxanne Glaser, Gerri Maglia, Jenny Jopling and Laurie Hogle. “ I have made so many contacts that want to do projects with us; it would take the next five years to complete them all,” DiBlasi said. “There is so much experience, knowledge and energy in the group. It is contagious and infectious.” Even after retirement, DiBlasi will continue to spread the word as a consultant and active member of TxDLA when he and his wife, Joan, relocate to Georgetown. “ I guess I am crazy enough to think I can change the world and hope I have a small impact on what we do as educators,” DiBlasi said. Contributed by Cheryl LaRue, North Lamar ISD ED. NOTE: Howie DeBlasi's contact information is: Howie DiBlasi, Ph.D. I.T. Director, Durango School District 970-247-5411 ex 1451 e-mail: [email_address] Web Address: http://web9r.durango.k12.co.us/
Dr. Howie DiBlasi Durango , Colorado Tools For The Classroom www.toolsfortheclassroom.com Known as the "Did You Know II" guy. See it on YOUTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65wE6yFYgP8
![Did You Know III 你知道吗？（ III ） Howie DiBlasi I.T. [email_address]](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/didyouknowiiicn-091015051109-phpapp02/85/did-you-know-iii-cn-1-320.jpg)
