Welcome to the Gates Ideas website. Look around to find information about my workshops, keynote addresses, resources, and other services that I provide. I bring to the table 33 years of teaching experience in public education and a passion for all things technology to help you find and use the right tool(s) for the job. I believe it is not about the tool itself, it’s all about getting the kids actively engaged in their learning and becoming true digital citizens. That means having the ability to locate, evaluate and understand information from the Internet, and being able to manage it and create meaning from it. The world will continue to shrink and “flatten” and we must be mindful of that as we prepare our students for the global workforce. We MUST create a world class education for all students. We must demand it. Say it with me -  “I demand a world class education for all children!”

I believe that the context of school (and therefore learning) has changed. Where once our economy and our jobs, even our life’s goals were local or regional, today they’re global. Our students will compete for jobs with workers from around the world. Today’s technology makes that possible. I want to instill a sense of awareness, purpose and urgency with our teachers and students. I believe I can do that through workshops, keynote addresses, and consultations.

Check out the “Services” and “What I’m Doing” tab on this site. I am available to conduct a variety of Professional Development workshops, hands-on workshops, presentations, and keynote addresses for teachers, administrators, parents and focus groups. If you are considering going to a One-to-One program, there are lots of items to consider beyond just the logistics. I can help with the overall understanding and knowledge of what this program will look like to help shape Professional Development and get your teachers ready for it.

For the past five years, I have served as a mentor in the “Classrooms for the Future” (CFF) program in PA. This program provided assistance to teachers to develop “21st Century digital skills” and integrate technology throughout their curriculum in meaningful ways. My consulting services also include working with school districts to evaluate their current use of technology. Based on that evaluation, I will suggest a workable, sustainable plan to promote Professional Development for your teachers to create a real 21st Century learning environment for their students.

I can be reached through the “Contact Me” tab or by telephone at 717-773-6526.

James Gates, Consultant