Integrity News

In this article from Townhall.com, Dr. Matthew Ladner discusses potential changes in education due to technology, in particular the internet.

The Shape of Things to Come in American Education

Currently I am taking two online college courses through the local community college. It’s not quite the same as sitting in a classroom, but it also makes education much more flexible and accessible for the average citizen who may have to work or meet other responsibilities that don’t allow for attending classes that occur on a regular basis.

I’ve noted that a lot of the success depends on the professor in classroom and online settings. I think online learning also requires a greater commitment from the student because there is no one standing over you and making sure you turn in assignments. Sure the professor can set deadlines, but if you fail to make deadline, it’s doubtful you will get “lectured” for not completing the assignment.

Here’s some of what Dr. Ladner has to say:

Designers may improve online programs to the point that they will be of demonstrably better quality than the tried and true methods. For example, innovators are working on computer-based learning programs that will adapt to the individual learning styles of children. These programs present information in a variety of ways, figure out which way works best for each child and adapt the presentation accordingly.

Personalized, self-paced learning also offers enormous promise. Both fast and slow learners often find themselves frustrated by the pace of teaching that suits the average learner.

There is tremedous potential here. A lot of people are hesistant about technology because of cost concerns, but I think computer-based learning could actually be more economical.

My first idea is to replace the standard textbook with a laptop. Each student would be given a laptop and it would be his responsibility to take care of the laptop for years - not one year, but several. Whenever he would start back to school, it would be with the same device. At the beginning of the year, the students would upload their textbooks onto the laptop - think about the potential savings on printing textbooks (especially since they are typically hardcover!)! If the student lost the laptop, he would have to replace it, but, in my opinion, it would be easier to keep track of one laptop rather than ten textbooks.

In designing the virtual textbooks, students would still have to complete review questions, vocabulary lists, etc., but all of that could be accomplished on the laptop. At the end of the day or the next morning, students could plug their laptops into their desks and upload their homework to the teacher’s computer - eliminating all of the paper. Eliminating the paper is not only good for the environment, but would save parents and schools money.

Another design would be related directly to what Dr. Ladner mentions, customized learning. As the students go through the text and complete questions, the software could customize the information presented to meet the needs and challenges of the individual student. It could also be designed to recognize patterns - maybe typing speed, sentence structure, etc. - that would enable to computer to recognize cheating.

Now I wouldn’t want to eliminate classroom instruction (be it public, private or at home, doesn’t matter) all together. Active discussions about material covered can open a student’s mind and help them to make connections between seemingly unrelated ideas, so I would see the teacher’s role become something more akin to a moderator. I also think that teachers could administer pop quizzes to ensure students’ honesty.

Dr. Ladner writes about the potential to break away from certain academic dogmas:

I can imagine an online course built around  Milton Friedman’s Free to Choose television series that could be better than the average high-school or college economics class. I can’t remember the name of the graduate student who taught my Econ 101, but he wasn’t Milton Friedman. He didn’t adapt his presentation to my learning style. Come to think of it, I don’t think he spoke English terribly well.

Quality teaching powerfully drives education outcomes. An online Friedman might very well best many flesh and blood instructors.

This has tremendous potential to put educational decisions back into the hands of parents.

Technology brings us so much potential, we should actively seek out ways to make our lives better through technology while remaining mindful that technology is a tool. In this case it is a tool to help us learn and strengthen our minds. It is not meant to be a replacement for the powerful potential of the human mind.