Chapter 3 iTunes Schools: Customized Learning for the 21st Century
I liked that someone was concerned that schools were beginning to lose the face-to-face contact between students and teachers. Technology is great and all and it’s nice to have to possibility to do more individualizing with online courses but we can’t neglect the power of the person to person contact. Teachers have the possibility to make a positive impact on many kids but that possibility does not exist if there is no contact.
I’m not sure about this whole idea of kids being able to move at their own pace with a more individualized lesson plans. It sounds like a great idea, especially since teachers would be able to make sure each child as the proper amount of understanding before moving on. However, I don’t know how practical this would be. Most schools have a state standardize test they need to administer to their students towards the end of the year. It sounds bad, but there are some students that need to be pushed along so that they are at least exposed to all the material before the test otherwise there is just no hope for them. Now some might argue that it is better to have a great understanding of some of the material rather than a vague understanding of all the material, but there is some much material covered on a standardized test like that because is tests over everything covered all year long. These tests are starting to hold more and more weight to them as far as determining how much funding a school might get and sometimes it might even determine whether or not a teacher will keep their job. There is too much riding on these tests to just let kids move along at their own pace throughout the year.
Your assumption that individualized means slower, may not be sound. I think the issue is more complex in terms of how to keep a student on task -- and on time.
ReplyDeleteHowever, to the extent that you are correct, your concerns are valid.