In this day of declining writing skills, reading scores, and leisure reading, some say that our very literacy is in danger. Certainly the contrarians seem to have valid concerns. Our young people text constantly instead of write, and do much of their communicating online. Will their generation see the demise of literacy as we have known it?
The "cup half full" folks think not. The progressives see a future of more information, using new delivery methods and a more descriptive language. Let's take a look at both of these points of view to see what we might project.
Technology means change. Change is not naturally welcomed by our human nature. One must override the fear of change meaning worse, versus simply different and potentially better.
Here's what I believe. Communication is at the very heart of who we are as people. We laugh, we cry, we are moved by it. That very aspect of our chemistry will ensure our literacy. What form it takes and how it's accomplished may be another thing. And if we are open to differences in the WAY we communicate, we should be fine. The very emergence of different languages and ways of communicating will be exciting.
Basic reading and writing will endure as will the book. It is too engrained in who we are as well as providing a wonderful delivery method that has been built into who we are for centuries.
As with most things, our literacy and how it's displayed and used will not be an all or nothing matter. It will evolve as we will with it. And it will not be boring; in fact, it could be stimulating and even fun.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Online Schools, Friend or Foe of Traditional Learning?
Online schools have grown rapidly, are now in 17 states nationally, and are gaining more and more financial support from their states. More than 600,000 children take online classes in the U.S. Some persons who have used the textbook in a traditional classroom setting are concerned. This issue is alive right here in my backyard in Milwaukee, where it has been supported by State lawmakers.
In many instances parents, who have home-schooled their children previously, have gone to online schools to supplement, or provide all of the content and teaching.
There would seem to be three issues: 1) Is online learning more effective particularly for younger children? 2) What might this mean long run for our most valuable resource of certified teachers? 3) How will it impact the textbook?
I would submit that we should first gauge any change here by how it impacts the student. Simply put, our kids are the final link to be served. Let's put them first and not our personal agendas. Secondly, we must find a way to utilize the wonderful asset we have in our career teachers. They have so much to give and possess the experience to deliver it.
Finally, the educational textbook is priceless intellectual property. It is another tremendous source of learning. We cannot and should not casually watch it erode.
Another issue working against the textbook is its weight, since online learning eliminates a good portion of that problem by not requiring the students to take home their textbooks. In one Baltimore school, students are carrying 45 pounds of books. Many have wheels but still have to get them up and down stairs. Even though there is no hard legislation as of yet on the weight of textbooks, it is a very real problem that must be addressed. Laptops, instead of books is one solution.
The real bottom line is for all of us to understand the issues, and then do the right think for the children. That must mean, however, that we take into consideration the resources of teachers and books that have served us so well in the past.
In many instances parents, who have home-schooled their children previously, have gone to online schools to supplement, or provide all of the content and teaching.
There would seem to be three issues: 1) Is online learning more effective particularly for younger children? 2) What might this mean long run for our most valuable resource of certified teachers? 3) How will it impact the textbook?
I would submit that we should first gauge any change here by how it impacts the student. Simply put, our kids are the final link to be served. Let's put them first and not our personal agendas. Secondly, we must find a way to utilize the wonderful asset we have in our career teachers. They have so much to give and possess the experience to deliver it.
Finally, the educational textbook is priceless intellectual property. It is another tremendous source of learning. We cannot and should not casually watch it erode.
Another issue working against the textbook is its weight, since online learning eliminates a good portion of that problem by not requiring the students to take home their textbooks. In one Baltimore school, students are carrying 45 pounds of books. Many have wheels but still have to get them up and down stairs. Even though there is no hard legislation as of yet on the weight of textbooks, it is a very real problem that must be addressed. Laptops, instead of books is one solution.
The real bottom line is for all of us to understand the issues, and then do the right think for the children. That must mean, however, that we take into consideration the resources of teachers and books that have served us so well in the past.
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