Thanks for this pointer Jack. I'd like to comment on the point of
revolutionizing education through technology even though I understand that
this was not the main point of your post. The passage that caught my
attention was:
"Rather it is a work which applies what we know about how people learn to
the design of computer software that can revolutionize the schools."
In Switzerland, the public shcools are under the authority of each canton
(euqivalent to a state in the US). The canton of Vaud, where I live, decided
a few years ago to completely change its pedagogy. In about 5 or 6 years
they have moved from classical education to what some call
socio-constructivism.
Children now learn through problems and games that they need to solve
themselves, most often in teams of 2 or more. They learn how to reason and
transfer knowledge rather than digest information. There are no grades
anymore but appreciations which are used in a holistic way to help the child
rather than judge them. This means a lot more work for the teachers who need
to adapt to the needs of the children rather than follow a standard program.
The interesting point for this discussion is that there is a computer in
every classroom (at least in my village's school) but it is not the focus of
attention. It is there as yet another tool for learning through playing.
The whole revolution didn't center around technology at all. It was about
the ideas and the ways to implement them. The debate about the consequences
and implications of this change is still very active. Some people hate this
new system and some love it. I side with the second category.
Cheers.
Gil
-----Original Message-----
From: Jack Park [mailto:jackpark@thinkalong.com]
Sent: jeudi, 8. novembre 2001 18:11
To: unrev-II@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [unrev-II] Engines for Educators -- an online book
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