Rethinking Education Chapter 8 Reflection

In Chapter 8 of Rethinking Education the chapter determined three categories that are driving the technological revolution in schools. They are: customization, interaction, and learner control. The chapter talked about how progress is usually measured by standardized tests. I was also surprised that teachers can “game” the system and cause results without making a difference in student learning. I am uneasy about this and the fact that teachers would actually consider doing this. “…Schools need to embody more individual support and choice in how and what students learn.” This statement causes many concerns with my view of teaching. I do believe that students should have some control over what they are able to learn about, but if we give too much power over to the students how do we know that we are helping children become well-rounded with knowledge in more than one subject? If students are allowed to choose what they want to learn, those who dislike reading or math would likely not choose to learn further about those subjects. I do not think that is an acceptable approach to learning. Another statement the book makes in this chapter bothered me. “Kids today spend over 6 hours per day interacting with television, video games, the Internet, instant messaging, email, and other media. This is more time than they spend in school or with friends, and almost as much time as they spend sleeping.” I thought this statement was NOT supporting technology being integrated into schools. If students are already spending that much time using different forms of media, then why should we encourage that they use more? If anything that statement would convince me to incorporate less technology into my students learning than more because of all the time they already spend using it.

                A credentialing system was also discussed in this chapter and would be divided into three categories: academic, generic, and technical skills. I think that this system would help for focusing on skills required for certain career plans, but most middle school and high school students are still in the process of finding what they want to do with the rest of their lives. High school is already stressful enough and throwing in job training certifications may be too much. If this was more of an option rather than a requirement I think it would be successful and is overall a great idea.

                Under the new curriculum design section the authors bring up the point of self paced learning. They propose the fact that some students may attend college at age 15 or 16. I think there are many different things to consider when looking at this prospect. On one hand this would allow students that are more advanced to move at their own pace, rather than being bored and stuck in one grade for a year. Alternatively, should students as young as 15 be exposed to the college environment? There are multiple pros and cons to all of these issues and it’s difficult to make the decisions that will be the best for all students.