In response to “Electronic Schooling,” April 16-22 edition, this is a drastic oversimplification of what is needed in secondary education. The concept of self-directed learning materials are …
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In response to “Electronic Schooling,” April 16-22 edition, this is a drastic oversimplification of what is needed in secondary education. The concept of self-directed learning materials are similar to certain strategies of the Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) curriculum which relies on self-learning. These methods have their roots in the Behaviorist theories of B.F Skinner if anyone is interested. These types of activities have been shown to be far less effective than constructivist approaches to learning. What do we do with students with special needs? This includes students with severe disabilities and those who simply have reading difficulties. Who will create the curriculum? The idea of all children being home schooled is also unrealistic because most parents work during the day. It would shift the costs and responsibilities of education to parents, most of whom are not teachers. What about people who live where there is no broadband internet service or cannot afford it? What about computers? I am not saying that technology is an evil when it comes to education, quite the opposite, we need much more of it in the classroom so students can effectively communicate when they do take online courses. However, there is no replacement for a real teacher being in the room.