In an earlier blog we explored the rapid pace of the
development and adoption of digital devices, and we focused on the current
Smart Phone which is the Ultimate Device. Because the Smart Phone is an extension
of our brain’s memory, and we can download tools of every type, we can begin to imagine how
it will alter the way we conduct business, medicine, education, government and
our personal lives. The K-12 public education system is an industry that can
benefit from the digital revolution.
The best way to think about the public school system is to
realize that if it were a private business, it would be bankrupt! No private business
could survive if the expense to create a product (a high school graduate)
exceeded $100,000 and 20+% of what was manufactured failed to meet
specifications (dropped out).
realize that if it were a private business, it would be bankrupt! No private business
could survive if the expense to create a product (a high school graduate)
exceeded $100,000 and 20+% of what was manufactured failed to meet
specifications (dropped out).
For perspective, we need to ask how and why was public
education designed, formed and implemented in the first place. Actually, it was to supply labor for the
Industrial Revolution. Kids on the family farm in the 1800s needed little
formal education, but work in the factory was different. Factory owners found
that they needed workers who could read directions, write results of their work
and record how many items they produced in a day. It soon became apparent that literacy
was going to be important, and how to add and subtract figures, as well. So,
the early education focused on the three “Rs”, i.e., reading, writing and
arithmetic. By the twentieth century public high schools were preparing
students for basically three categories (1) those who were going to college,
(2) those who were going to be stenographers or book keepers and (3) those who
were going to work in the factories or farms. The introduction of the PC ended
all of that.
education designed, formed and implemented in the first place. Actually, it was to supply labor for the
Industrial Revolution. Kids on the family farm in the 1800s needed little
formal education, but work in the factory was different. Factory owners found
that they needed workers who could read directions, write results of their work
and record how many items they produced in a day. It soon became apparent that literacy
was going to be important, and how to add and subtract figures, as well. So,
the early education focused on the three “Rs”, i.e., reading, writing and
arithmetic. By the twentieth century public high schools were preparing
students for basically three categories (1) those who were going to college,
(2) those who were going to be stenographers or book keepers and (3) those who
were going to work in the factories or farms. The introduction of the PC ended
all of that.
The PC, created in 1973, eliminated the jobs of
stenographers and book keepers overnight. Robotization of tasks in factories,
and the replacement of horses with huge farm equipment made the public school’s
shops for the third group totally inadequate. Consequently, the schools focused
on what they still could do, namely, prepare students for college. The result
is what one would expect. Two thirds of the students are bored to death by the
time they reach ninth grade which causes them to drop out mentally by that time
and some physically shortly thereafter.
stenographers and book keepers overnight. Robotization of tasks in factories,
and the replacement of horses with huge farm equipment made the public school’s
shops for the third group totally inadequate. Consequently, the schools focused
on what they still could do, namely, prepare students for college. The result
is what one would expect. Two thirds of the students are bored to death by the
time they reach ninth grade which causes them to drop out mentally by that time
and some physically shortly thereafter.
The global job market in the 21st century is in a
constant state of flux and requires skills that will change from time to time
during one’s work career. Consequently, one has to be prepared to change jobs
perhaps as often as every five years, and often learn new skills as well during
a career. This means the person has to
be knowledgeable enough to search for and learn how to re-train for the new
job. Moreover, this new world means that the worker needs to think of him or
herself as a “business entity” with skills someone might want to purchase. This
requires the student to learn how to become his or her own teacher, business
owner and marketer.
To achieve this, the entire K-12 education system needs to
be changed. The protocol of students being lectured by a teacher and required
to memorize material for a test is no longer essential when one can Google a
request for information and have the answer in seconds. What the student needs
to know is where the information is, how to research it, how to verify that the
information is true and then how to communicate in clear written as well as
spoken language exactly what the essence of the researched information is.
be changed. The protocol of students being lectured by a teacher and required
to memorize material for a test is no longer essential when one can Google a
request for information and have the answer in seconds. What the student needs
to know is where the information is, how to research it, how to verify that the
information is true and then how to communicate in clear written as well as
spoken language exactly what the essence of the researched information is.
Therefore, the principles for the new education system are
these:
these:
Learning
how to search for needed information
- Learning
to think critically for oneself to determine the truth of the information - Knowing
how to solve problems based on such thinking
- Learning
how to communicate clearly what was learned
finding the student’s inherent “talent” early in the K-12 system so that it can
be nurtured and honed. If this talent is identified, it doubtless will hook up
with the student’s passion, and thus be a driving force to motivate the person
to enjoy education enough to graduate, and more than that, to make education a
lifetime pursuit.
The key to the new education system is digital technology. The
Smart Phone, or equivalent digital device, would be employed in the classroom.
The student would be required to have it for every class and this includes for
many tests, as well. Fear that the child
would text or do something else, is a matter of the child’s self discipline.
Any child being detracted by the Smart Phone will fail the tests. If the child
is developing and focusing on its “talent”, the child will soon become self
disciplined.
Smart Phone, or equivalent digital device, would be employed in the classroom.
The student would be required to have it for every class and this includes for
many tests, as well. Fear that the child
would text or do something else, is a matter of the child’s self discipline.
Any child being detracted by the Smart Phone will fail the tests. If the child
is developing and focusing on its “talent”, the child will soon become self
disciplined.
Here is how the new K-12 might work! We should scrap all
formal education by rote after 5th grade. After 5th
grade, the classroom teacher would no longer become the lecturer. The lecturer
would be a master teacher who would convey the information to the student via a
large TV screen, or You Tube on the Smart Phone. The adult person in the class
room would be a coach and monitor. That person would teach the child how to
find information, how to ascertain the veracity of the information and how to
communicate what was learned in clear unequivocal and succinct language.
formal education by rote after 5th grade. After 5th
grade, the classroom teacher would no longer become the lecturer. The lecturer
would be a master teacher who would convey the information to the student via a
large TV screen, or You Tube on the Smart Phone. The adult person in the class
room would be a coach and monitor. That person would teach the child how to
find information, how to ascertain the veracity of the information and how to
communicate what was learned in clear unequivocal and succinct language.
The first and foremost job of this helper would be to have
the child understand that the Smart Phone or equivalent is an extension of the
brain’s memory. The child may appear to know everything there is to know about
the Smart Phone, but they do not. They have the facility to learn about it
faster than we adults, but because they have not lived long enough, they lack
the wisdom to ask the right questions to get to the bottom of the issue at
hand. That is where the classroom teaching comes in.
the child understand that the Smart Phone or equivalent is an extension of the
brain’s memory. The child may appear to know everything there is to know about
the Smart Phone, but they do not. They have the facility to learn about it
faster than we adults, but because they have not lived long enough, they lack
the wisdom to ask the right questions to get to the bottom of the issue at
hand. That is where the classroom teaching comes in.
After the student learns that the Smart Phone, Tablet or
Laptop is the means for recalling what information is needed for any given
subject, the student then needs to know how to separate fact from fiction. This
is more important than at any other time in history because the sources of information
are ubiquitous, but editors and fact finders are becoming scarce. When one
billion men, women and children already have the Smart Phone “glued” to their
hands whatever they see, hear of or read, they instantly communicate to someone
via e-mail, Face Book, Twitter, Instamatic, blog or whatever means at their
disposal. However, these “reporters” do
not pay much attention to whether it is true or not. Actually our commercial
sources of news are not much better. Consequently, false or incomplete information
spreads like gossip. As great as Wikipedia is, it is not the absolute truth
either because users can add information to it. Therefore, what all students
need are skills and training in how to think critically, how to solve problems
and how to communicate clearly and unequivocally what has been learned.
Laptop is the means for recalling what information is needed for any given
subject, the student then needs to know how to separate fact from fiction. This
is more important than at any other time in history because the sources of information
are ubiquitous, but editors and fact finders are becoming scarce. When one
billion men, women and children already have the Smart Phone “glued” to their
hands whatever they see, hear of or read, they instantly communicate to someone
via e-mail, Face Book, Twitter, Instamatic, blog or whatever means at their
disposal. However, these “reporters” do
not pay much attention to whether it is true or not. Actually our commercial
sources of news are not much better. Consequently, false or incomplete information
spreads like gossip. As great as Wikipedia is, it is not the absolute truth
either because users can add information to it. Therefore, what all students
need are skills and training in how to think critically, how to solve problems
and how to communicate clearly and unequivocally what has been learned.
Critical thinking is a vital skill that helps the student to
separate fact from fiction. It should be a required subject in school beginning
as early as possible and reinforced continually throughout the K-12 education
phase. Knowing how to think critically is going to be needed all during one’s
life not only to separate fact from fiction but also to help in problem solving
which starts with the separation of fact and fiction. In other words, one should
not believe anything, unless it can be verified. Since the Smart Phone is a
pathway to all the knowledge of mankind and is available in seconds, wouldn’t
it make sense to teach students how to be critical thinkers and to check their
“new memory” for some verification for each question at hand?
separate fact from fiction. It should be a required subject in school beginning
as early as possible and reinforced continually throughout the K-12 education
phase. Knowing how to think critically is going to be needed all during one’s
life not only to separate fact from fiction but also to help in problem solving
which starts with the separation of fact and fiction. In other words, one should
not believe anything, unless it can be verified. Since the Smart Phone is a
pathway to all the knowledge of mankind and is available in seconds, wouldn’t
it make sense to teach students how to be critical thinkers and to check their
“new memory” for some verification for each question at hand?
Problem solving should also be a curriculum topic. There are
some very good texts on this subject. The basics of problem solving involve (1)
the separation of fact from fiction in the information about the problem (same
as critical thinking), (2) the development of hypothesis that will be possible
answers to the problem and (3) how to choose the most probable hypothesis. The
third involves the concept of Occams Razor. That idea is one of the more
important ones a student should learn. Simply stated it means that among competing
hypothesis, the simplest has the highest probability of being correct. Most of
the time we humans choose the most complex of the theories and fall into the
trap of believing there is a conspiracy.
some very good texts on this subject. The basics of problem solving involve (1)
the separation of fact from fiction in the information about the problem (same
as critical thinking), (2) the development of hypothesis that will be possible
answers to the problem and (3) how to choose the most probable hypothesis. The
third involves the concept of Occams Razor. That idea is one of the more
important ones a student should learn. Simply stated it means that among competing
hypothesis, the simplest has the highest probability of being correct. Most of
the time we humans choose the most complex of the theories and fall into the
trap of believing there is a conspiracy.
Communication skills permit the student to communicate what
has been learned from research of a given assigned subject. Simply filling in
blanks or darkening holes for multiple choice tests to show that is learned will
not suffice for the digital world. The student should be required to know how to
communicate simply, succinctly and clearly and should be judged on how well the
student can write a paragraph and how to give an oral presentation about what
was learned. With the world’s largest dictionary in the palm of the hand, and
the device offering unsolicited spelling and grammar corrections as the report
is typed, every lesson will have a vocabulary, spelling and grammar as part of
the subject regardless of what subject is being taught. Actually twitter might
fit here because if one can accurately explain a complex subject in 140
characters, that person knows how to communicate. Measuring performance of
these skills should be a continuous part of the entire curricula regardless of
the subject or class grade.
has been learned from research of a given assigned subject. Simply filling in
blanks or darkening holes for multiple choice tests to show that is learned will
not suffice for the digital world. The student should be required to know how to
communicate simply, succinctly and clearly and should be judged on how well the
student can write a paragraph and how to give an oral presentation about what
was learned. With the world’s largest dictionary in the palm of the hand, and
the device offering unsolicited spelling and grammar corrections as the report
is typed, every lesson will have a vocabulary, spelling and grammar as part of
the subject regardless of what subject is being taught. Actually twitter might
fit here because if one can accurately explain a complex subject in 140
characters, that person knows how to communicate. Measuring performance of
these skills should be a continuous part of the entire curricula regardless of
the subject or class grade.
The widening range of communication vehicles from the
Internet through the Face Book and other social media require individuals to be
their own communicators. Today, many of our brightest scientists and business
leaders lack the communication skills needed to communicate one-on-one with the
public to explain why their research should be funded or why someone should
invest in a new idea. Imagine how much better they would be at communicating
how well their work is going and how well they could sell the funders to
continue funding their work if they had been forced to learn communication
skills in K-12.
Internet through the Face Book and other social media require individuals to be
their own communicators. Today, many of our brightest scientists and business
leaders lack the communication skills needed to communicate one-on-one with the
public to explain why their research should be funded or why someone should
invest in a new idea. Imagine how much better they would be at communicating
how well their work is going and how well they could sell the funders to
continue funding their work if they had been forced to learn communication
skills in K-12.
What is really exciting about this new system is that the
K-12 student does not have to focus on just one goal, namely going to college.
With the help of the classroom coach, the grammar school student could discover
his or her talent. Then in high school the
student could be coached how to research a path to pursue that passion. The
fact that Apps of all types can be downloaded supports this idea. For example,
if a child is tentative about speaking or has a weak voice, and therefore, has
difficulty performing, a microphone can be downloaded from the Internet which
can be amplify the child’s voice via a Bluetooth Speaker right there in the
class room.
K-12 student does not have to focus on just one goal, namely going to college.
With the help of the classroom coach, the grammar school student could discover
his or her talent. Then in high school the
student could be coached how to research a path to pursue that passion. The
fact that Apps of all types can be downloaded supports this idea. For example,
if a child is tentative about speaking or has a weak voice, and therefore, has
difficulty performing, a microphone can be downloaded from the Internet which
can be amplify the child’s voice via a Bluetooth Speaker right there in the
class room.
On the other hand if a student must be prepared for and meet
the entry requirements for college or a special technical school, then these
must be included in their curriculum. Such courses as algebra, trigonometry,
calculus, physics and chemistry are among these, but they also could be taught
with the Smart Phone in mind.
the entry requirements for college or a special technical school, then these
must be included in their curriculum. Such courses as algebra, trigonometry,
calculus, physics and chemistry are among these, but they also could be taught
with the Smart Phone in mind.
In summary, our K-12 public school system has been broken
for a good while, and most students who have been exposed to it know it. Today,
the digital revolution, globalization and the widening range of communication
systems require a different style of educating. The Smart Phone provides a wonderful
opportunity to fix a failed system. The
Smart Phone can and should be a key means for finding the information the
student needs in the new education system. But equally important is knowing how
to think critically about the information obtained and then knowing how to
write and speak about it.
for a good while, and most students who have been exposed to it know it. Today,
the digital revolution, globalization and the widening range of communication
systems require a different style of educating. The Smart Phone provides a wonderful
opportunity to fix a failed system. The
Smart Phone can and should be a key means for finding the information the
student needs in the new education system. But equally important is knowing how
to think critically about the information obtained and then knowing how to
write and speak about it.
The sooner that this new education system is adopted the
sooner the student will be prepared to cope with the challenges of the Digital
Revolution and its rapid rate of change present in today’s world which is so
radically different than the Industrial Revolution of two centuries ago.
sooner the student will be prepared to cope with the challenges of the Digital
Revolution and its rapid rate of change present in today’s world which is so
radically different than the Industrial Revolution of two centuries ago.
The good news is that digital devices are already being adopted
by some K-12 public schools. Three years agoClearwater ,
Florida
all 9-12 grades, and it has been a huge success for both staff and students.
Numerous other school districts are now experimenting with digital devices in
the class room, and we have heard of one school where they are even permitting
the use of the Smart Phone. In addition, the Smart Phone should be the ideal
device for Home Schooling. Therefore, it
is likely that it will prevail as a teaching tool regardless of how hard we try
to prevent it.
by some K-12 public schools. Three years ago
all 9-12 grades, and it has been a huge success for both staff and students.
Numerous other school districts are now experimenting with digital devices in
the class room, and we have heard of one school where they are even permitting
the use of the Smart Phone. In addition, the Smart Phone should be the ideal
device for Home Schooling. Therefore, it
is likely that it will prevail as a teaching tool regardless of how hard we try
to prevent it.
