The times, they are a-changing, me-thinks

I have been at MacICT for 4 years almost and these years have been incredible. The growth of a culture of thinking that embraces new ideas, and more importantly, creates new ideas has been encouraging. The ability to take risks in a safe, supportive environment has meant that the work achieved has been beyond my own imagination. The centre is quite a hub of real innovation. The projects allow us to scaffold, mentor, encourage, experiment and evaluate quickly the impact we have on students and their teachers. (Note, I mentioned the students first?) If you can make an impact on students, and allow them the opportunity to share it with others, not just their peers but teachers, then it is a very powerful message.
I was reading last night from Dean Groom that we have got to do more than 'send messages.' He was very complimentary when he said: MacICT...' find room to move and innovate consistently – providing real skills, not just messages.'
But I am also reading from Greg Whitby that education is going backwards.
And speaking to Stephen Heppell while he was here in Australia for the Listen2Learners event, things are fairly grim in the northern hemisphere, especially our UK colleagues.
What does this mean for us? Are we really at a fork in the road? Is it time for us to step up? I hope so. I think it is possible but there are some cracks in the wall at the moment. There have been some fantastic ideas proposed: the Prime Minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation Councils Expert Working Party's recommendation (Dec 2009). Transforming Learning and the Transmission of Knowledge
Professor Penny Sackett Chief Scientist states: The report focuses on the fundamental questions that influence our ability to learn and highlights the opportunity for Australia to transform its practices related to learning, with the aim of enhancing life-long learning outcomes for all Australians.
The central recommendation of the report is the establishment of a Science of Learning Program, to be delivered through a number of interdisciplinary and inter-professional Science of Learning Centres.
So if the Chief Scientist agrees with these findings, what's happening? Is this a likely outcome for Australia or not? Are you seeing the cracks in the wall that I'm seeing?