The system of standardized testing has "nothing to do with knowledge and everything to do with surveillance." Today, we focus on how everyone should be treated equally, not treated the same, a big difference. Then why do we still give each student the same test? Especially, when we don't teach them all the same, knowing they all learn differently? Thomas makes the point, it's because teachers aren't trusted. Why are we "battling administrators"? Were they not teachers once? Even more so, were they not children once?
In the end, we need to focus on creating "context" rather than focus on "content." Until the system accommodates and remodels itself to meet this new learning that is introduced by the development of global communications, we must make a stand, and try to integrate and blend the tools available at our disposal. I just hope that I don't deplete my own passion nor lose this momentum I've gained in learning and exploring the conversations around change and technology.
Reference:
Thomas, Doug. (2012, September 12). A New Culture of Learning, Douglas Thomas at TEDxUFM. TEDx Talks. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lM80GXlyX0U