Vendor-driven hype and wishful policy thinking over robots, increasingly sophisticated artificial intelligence software, and expanded virtual teaching feed private and public fantasies about replacing teachers and schools. Taking a step back and thinking about what parents, voters, and taxpayers want from schools–the social, economic, political, and individual goals–makes magical thinking more of a curse in the inevitable public disappointment and cynicism that ensue after money is spent, paltry results emerge, and machines become obsolete.
I end with the obvious point that magical thinking and the accompanying curse afflicts not only educators but also the rest of us, as these homeowners found out:
Dominic Corbin on 01 Mar 12President Obama used the National Governors Association annual meeting to call for a boost in education funding. President Obama has urged Governors to invest more in education at this year's National Governors Association annual meeting, driving home the idea that the country needs to boost its skilled workforce if it wants to keep competitive in the international market.
