"Join The Movement to Transform Learning" by George Lucas
Huffington Post
Published Online on February 28, 2011
Complete URL: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/george-lucas/join-the-movement-to-tran_b_828962.html
This article is the first of three I have on technology in learning or "Trifecta of Technology" or T.O.T. for short as we are focusing on children. :) Mr. Lucas begins his writing by stating much has changed in technology since he started the George Lucas Educational Foundation, but schools have been incredibly slow to adapt to the new advancements. The reason for this, he argues, is schools are stuck in the Industrial Revolution mindset where all schools want to do is stuff as much information into kids as possible, have them regurgitate it and then get a diploma. However what society needs is for kids to use technology to do three things: "find information, rigorously analyze the quality and accuracy of information and creatively and effectively use information to accomplish a goal."
Lucas also argues it would be more cost advantageous to have computers for learning as opposed to buying textbooks that are expensive and outdated within a couple of years. He sounds much like Jerome Bruner in he wants to combine technology with classical education and have an inquiry based and project-based learning process. Lucas feels this would make education fun and exciting for kids again. It is ironic to me that Lucas considers his thoughts as innovative when Bruner argued them 50 years ago!
However adding one-on-one computer learning would certainly make the learning process much different than what Bruner would have ever anticipated. As new teachers, we may very well see our worlds changed by the possibility of all kids learning from portable computers or iPads and giving them problems they can instantly research and solve on the web while working together. When the "textbooks" need to be updated, it can be downloaded in a short time to be able to allow children to use current information so there is no lag time on current issues or discoveries. How cool would that be?!
What is refreshing is Lucas does not blast the schools or teachers in his article. His basic point is to leave the old way of schooling behind and embrace the new age of thinking and technology. Since I think that is something we would all favor, it does not sound like a bad idea to me.
I checked out Edutopia and it's pretty cool. I'm glad to see that people actually care about edcucation. And it doesn't hurt that they have some money and means to at the very least stimulate discussion about how to improve education. But what is the right way? That's the hard question. I bet alot of suffering has occured in the past based on the ideas, research and efforts of well-intentioned people who have ruined a curriculum. While Lucas and wealthy entrepeneurs like him may be well intentioned, are their ideas good for education? If we focus too much on tools (like computers)do we rob our students of the creativity to make their own tools or understanding why a certain tool works best. Maybe computers are such a great tool they can transcend ordinary learning obstacles and make all children super smart, aware, inquisitive and awesome students. Who knows? In the hands of a bad teacher the exact opposite could happen. I don't think we can buy, google or click our way out of the problem of improved education. Your're right Paul, At least Lucas doesn't bash teachers.
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