Virtual Education

Comments

Nice Video.

I totally disagree with his last statements about the Maine students. The issue with the test and why students didn't answer the question, is that they were not engaged. He is making a very definitive claim that students can't think critically, when the reality is that they just as easily could have been saying that having to write with a pencil about TV is stupid. Give them some time to create a presentation of some sort of their thoughts and I would bet most of those students would have done extremely well in sharing their thinking. Too bad he thinks this way. Maybe it is the colleges that need to change to get caught up with the direction we are going as a people.

BTW, this whole initiative by PBS and Frontline is laudable and I am very excited about the information provided. Well Done!

That being said, I think Dr.Bauerlein brings up many salient points to consider, however, we need to perhaps look at it from a different perspective. Is the issue of falling proficiency skills related to the technology proliferation, or is it that we still have not learned to maximize the technology to enhance critical thinking?

In the Maine example, is there a classic case of throw technology at a problem (IE laptops for all students to keep up with trends?), without sufficient preparation and most importantly training on how to leverage that technology?

How well do the teachers in these classrooms use the computers and tools? Is it to facilitate traditional, flat, written curriculum or are they expanding their own knowledge about the possibilities? have they begun to leverage things like virtual 3D collaboration , role playing, video and audio integration into immersive environments, in order to offer new teaching methodologies which would significantly improve immersive learning and skills proficiency?

I think like any subject matter, the issue is more complex than a simple result from one example, and school administrators, teachers, local politicians as well as Washington need to more completely understand ways to provide the right teaching environment, training and resources for these new and exciting times!