Comments on: How to Improve Public Education http://www.scottfreethinking.com/2006/12/how-to-improve-public-education-2/ Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:38:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: CJE http://www.scottfreethinking.com/2006/12/how-to-improve-public-education-2/comment-page-1/#comment-1454 CJE Tue, 18 Oct 2011 20:55:32 +0000 http://www.scottfreethinking.com/blog/index.php/how-to-improve-public-education/#comment-1454 Despite my inclination to agree with most of what you say, I must play devil's advocate. For there is not a single shred of empirical data that backs up any of your assertions. And here's the kicker -- while high schools may want to adopt a more "modern" way of educating, colleges still utilize old school methods, such as lecture and "doing your own work" (or, as you put it, an apathetic approach). How do you explain the differences between a system touted as the best in the world (our college system), and one with assumed problems (public education)? Shouldn't we be doing MORE things like they do? Can we even try, given the lack of fundamentals among our students (who prefer the haphazard world of 2 minute sound bites to the depth and rigor it takes to formally internalize anything). I have my own empirical data. It comes from experience attempting to do some of what you've said. I have taught 15 years, and DO incorporate media and problem-solving activities in my class. Group assignments are a constant. However, today's students, while social, are shockingly deficient in such basic things as the ability to read a 6-digit number (this at the HS level). Bear in mind, however, that I do not teach a core area subject, so I have much more freedom in my approach than someone who teaches, say, Algebra, which requires a knowledge base in order to more easily approach higher level thinking. In my opinion, the most effective way to improve public education at all levels is very simple. Cap classes at 15 students per section. The amount of behavioral distractions, bookkeeping and general cat herding we do every day would automatically decrease, allowing me to work with more students individually, helping them learn how THEY learn (some of them actually learn better when they're NOT stuck in a group). I love technology, and we use it every chance we get. HOWEVER, Technology is not a cure. It is only a tool. Each and every time the latest tech has come out, it has been cited as a means to revolutionize education (the telegraph and television among the list). Until you remove people from the equation, people will remain the key. Despite my inclination to agree with most of what you say, I must play devil’s advocate. For there is not a single shred of empirical data that backs up any of your assertions. And here’s the kicker — while high schools may want to adopt a more “modern” way of educating, colleges still utilize old school methods, such as lecture and “doing your own work” (or, as you put it, an apathetic approach). How do you explain the differences between a system touted as the best in the world (our college system), and one with assumed problems (public education)? Shouldn’t we be doing MORE things like they do? Can we even try, given the lack of fundamentals among our students (who prefer the haphazard world of 2 minute sound bites to the depth and rigor it takes to formally internalize anything).

I have my own empirical data. It comes from experience attempting to do some of what you’ve said. I have taught 15 years, and DO incorporate media and problem-solving activities in my class. Group assignments are a constant. However, today’s students, while social, are shockingly deficient in such basic things as the ability to read a 6-digit number (this at the HS level). Bear in mind, however, that I do not teach a core area subject, so I have much more freedom in my approach than someone who teaches, say, Algebra, which requires a knowledge base in order to more easily approach higher level thinking.

In my opinion, the most effective way to improve public education at all levels is very simple. Cap classes at 15 students per section. The amount of behavioral distractions, bookkeeping and general cat herding we do every day would automatically decrease, allowing me to work with more students individually, helping them learn how THEY learn (some of them actually learn better when they’re NOT stuck in a group).

I love technology, and we use it every chance we get. HOWEVER, Technology is not a cure. It is only a tool. Each and every time the latest tech has come out, it has been cited as a means to revolutionize education (the telegraph and television among the list). Until you remove people from the equation, people will remain the key.

]]> By: Craig J Malone, Greeneville High School, Junior http://www.scottfreethinking.com/2006/12/how-to-improve-public-education-2/comment-page-1/#comment-676 Craig J Malone, Greeneville High School, Junior Mon, 19 Apr 2010 02:11:24 +0000 http://www.scottfreethinking.com/blog/index.php/how-to-improve-public-education/#comment-676 I agree completely with everything you wrote above. I just finished my a report that was on how I could improve the education system. I quoted you many times sir and I just wanted to thank you very much for caring enough about the education system to write what you have. I was truly inspired by what you wrote and intrigued by it as well. When I finished reading what you wrote for the fifth time I was completely amazed yet again and sad in the end that you didn't include more. Again, thank you for what you've written and thank you for caring enough to write it. I agree completely with everything you wrote above. I just finished my a report that was on how I could improve the education system. I quoted you many times sir and I just wanted to thank you very much for caring enough about the education system to write what you have. I was truly inspired by what you wrote and intrigued by it as well. When I finished reading what you wrote for the fifth time I was completely amazed yet again and sad in the end that you didn’t include more. Again, thank you for what you’ve written and thank you for caring enough to write it.

]]> By: sue http://www.scottfreethinking.com/2006/12/how-to-improve-public-education-2/comment-page-1/#comment-58 sue Sun, 04 Feb 2007 10:36:41 +0000 http://www.scottfreethinking.com/blog/index.php/how-to-improve-public-education/#comment-58 wow, bravo, amazing wow, bravo, amazing

]]> By: Pat http://www.scottfreethinking.com/2006/12/how-to-improve-public-education-2/comment-page-1/#comment-57 Pat Thu, 21 Dec 2006 19:07:29 +0000 http://www.scottfreethinking.com/blog/index.php/how-to-improve-public-education/#comment-57 Wow, sounds like someone I would like to talk to. I am a 25 year teaching veteran who has been trying to change the system for years. I am ready, at the end of my career, to jump into Charter Schools. What do you think? How about learning the basics? We need to revamp elementary education so the upper grades can deal with the structure you discuss. I would love to have a dialogue with you. Wow, sounds like someone I would like to talk to. I am a 25 year teaching veteran who has been trying to change the system for years. I am ready, at the end of my career, to jump into Charter Schools. What do you think?

How about learning the basics? We need to revamp elementary education so the upper grades can deal with the structure you discuss.

I would love to have a dialogue with you.

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