Elephants in the School Reform Debate

[1jazzieladie]

I found your point of view pretty much on the money. There is a way of implementing both sides to reach the outcome we are all seeking. The fundamentals must be taught. Children need to learn the basics in order to master the advanced learning principles however it has to be done in a way that sparks the desire to learn. There is an example of this in California called The Open Charter School Institute Please visit the website.

[orcapod]

if throwing money at education actually worked we would have a nation of geniuses already. When De Tocqueville visited the US in the 1830's he was amazed with the level of literacy possesed by average americans - and that was before there was even a public school system. Bottom line: People who desire education will educate themselves

[wfryer]

It is amazing to see how we cling to the "traditional ways" of teaching and learning purely because those were the experiences we had. I think it is important for adults to have learning experiences that appropriately utilize a variety of technologies, to learn about their potential for beneficial use.

[sciFreak007]

As a physicist I find mind bending is the disdain for calculators in teaching math.... mathematical mind are for the most part born. Historic evidence shows that generally people don't think mathematically help should be welcome. We are entering the computational age.... teachers don't want to use calculators they think there is some benefit there is not, but don't tell kids they like numbers if they can get a leg up. What a generation allowed full access can do with full comp' pwr will amaze