Chapter 8 Reflection

Imperatives of the technologies that are driving the revolution are customization, interaction, and learner control. Schools need to embody more individual support and choice in how and what students learn and engage children in more challenging and realistic tasks that reflect the uses of knowledge in the world. I find it interesting that kids today spend over 6 hours per day interacting with technology. This turns out to be more time than they spend in school and almost as much time as they spend sleeping. The book talks about setting up national credentials that can be administered on computer or by trained professionals at any school or learning center. I do not think this is very beneficial when talking about schooling. I see this approach as a way to broaden one's horizons and learn diverse topics. People should not be able to choose their own course of learning like this.

Also, computers are revolutionizing how we measure what people know. With the variety of different standardized tests that are being used on the computer, there are more and more people are being tested this way. The book argues that computers will capture the kind of knowledge and skills required for learning in the professions. Students will be able to create a portfolio of assessments to be used for employment or college applications. I still believe that this is no way to educate citizens. If this approach was taken, it should be during or after college. It should not be so heavily focused on people choosing what they learn when they are so young. My theory is that they will change their minds often because they are immature and have to take many different courses over the years which will just set them back with their personal education. Although students will be encouraged to stay with a particular curriculum for a long time, I just do not think this is realistic.