SchoolTechnology

This schism between how schools have traditionally taught and how students want to learn is bringing education ever closer to a tipping point.

"When you cram any innovation, in any sector, into an existing model, that model basically usurps it, conforms it to the way the model already operates," says Michael Horn, a co-author of Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns. "It doesn't fundamentally change that factory model in a way that's student-centric. It doesn't give each student what [he or she] really need[s]."

Unlike parents or teachers at their age, 21st century students are fortunate to have what Marco Torres refers to as "the global stage" which describes the worldwide publishing potential now offered by the Internet. Yet, for the most part students are performing on this stage completely devoid of teacher or adult influence. It is unfortunate that outside of school students operate in a world where they are interacting, publishing, and producing for thousands, yet as they enter the school building, they have to power down and produce work usually for an audience of one.

Some good information and quotes

The "professor versus laptop (or other wireless access device)" issue is a false construct if we view technology-mediated learning as a social system offering many ways to alter one component and thus change the whole system. Rather than seeing distraction as a challenge, educators can see it as an opportunity to reflect upon and change the design of their entire instructional approach. Creative and innovative educators can use technology innovations to help reform teaching, similar to the way Guttenberg's press helped bring about scientific revolution and modern authorship.

Interesting results from a major research study about what kind of reform efforts are most effective. Chalk one up for more scripted, designed reform efforts.