Monday, November 6, 2006
8:00 am - 8:30 am
Welcome and Opening

"Our Mission: Education, Innovation and Online Learning"
NACOL’s mission is to increase educational opportunities and enhance learning by providing collegial expertise and leadership in K-12 online teaching and learning. We have a responsibility to make sure students have the chance to succeed academically, regardless of zip code. Ninety percent of the fastest growing jobs in the economy require a college degree. Forty percent of high schools in the U.S. do not offer a college preparatory, advanced curriculum. High school graduation rates are 70%. Preparing our students for the future begins long before college. Our education system has given millions of Americans the chance to realize their potential, live the American dream, and contribute in society. Through creativity, risk-taking and a pioneering spirit, America is a center for innovation and the world's leading economic and political power. The flattened, new world economy is bringing change at an alarming pace, and our education system is on overload as many of our students lack the skills to succeed in the knowledge-based, technology-driven economy. Online learning is a proven way for enhancing the critical learning experience of all students – no matter their location, economic background or resources. Online learning is leveling the playing field for all students and investments in online learning benefit students, teachers, schools and society.

Monday, November 6, 2006
8:30 am - 9:15 am
Opening Keynote Address

"Teaching for America’s Future in Networked Learning Teams"
Good schools have good teachers, but they don’t become great schools until their teachers form collaborative teaching networks that enable them to improve student learning beyond what any of them could accomplish alone. It is time to replace stand-alone teaching in isolated classrooms with the power of collaborative teamwork in online learning communities. Hear from a national expert on innovative ways to redesign teaching and learning for next generation schools. The National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future (NCTAF) has launched a national campaign focused on: organizing schools to take advantage of networked learning teams that cross traditional classroom boundaries; preparing teachers and principals to work as leaders and members of these learning teams, and rewarding them for their collaborative efforts to improve student achievement. Tom Carroll will share NCTAF’s vision for how we can use networked learning teams to teach for America’s future.

Monday, November 6, 2006
11:30 am - 1:15 pm
Luncheon Keynote Address

"Creative Leadership:  Fostering a Mindset of Innovation"
A creative leader is part alchemist, part diplomat. They are always looking for imaginative ways to influence people to achieve their vision and harness their organization’s creative energy.

At the heart of creative leadership is the ability to see and bring together opposites. Whether it is a vision for a wayward organization… simplicity for a complex task… consensus to a conflict… or revenue for a budget cut.

In this high energy, interactive session you’ll experience the key principles of opposite thinking that creative leaders employ.

• How to create new and improved ideas by reaching out to all viewpoints and not allowing opposing views to cancel each other out.
• How to create time for innovation by abandoning the old and outdated programs and policies that get in our way. Management author, Peter Drucker states that abandoning the obsolete, the irrelevant, or the program with promise that never materialized is the “key to innovation.”

Through examples and exercises you’ll see that the organizational strategy of creative leaders is to break those old rules from elementary school and replace them with guidelines for collaboration, improvisation and reflection.

• Rather than think there is only one right answer. They look for second and third right answers.
• Rather than think the teacher is always right. They challenge management to look for answers from all levels.
• Rather than think the right answer is in the back of the book. They are constantly revising policy manuals based on the changing environment.
• Rather than think that passing notes and looking on someone else’s paper is cheating. They encourage collaboration and appreciate diversity of thought, even contrarian viewpoints.
• Rather than think that the answer is not on the ceiling. They take time every day to look at the ceiling and visualize the future they want to steer their organization toward.

Tuesday, November 7, 2006
8:00 am - 8:30 am
Plenary Session

"Federal Perspective"