The Way We Move Forward

Although I am as enthusiastic about new educational software as the next English teacher (lol), I do see some issues that suggest that we might be putting the virtual cart before the cyber horse. Jason Szep's article, "Technology Reshapes America's Classrooms," insinuates that classrooms move toward a complete utilization of cyberspace as a replacement for classroom space. To suggest that computers may be able to accurately assess students' needs is, to me, absurd. First of all there is the problem of the human capability of outsmarting a computer, tricking it, underachieving in order to receive easier work, or paying other students to log on and complete assignments. Second of all, there is the problem of the increasing outsourcing of American jobs. 

When technology is integrated with a classroom curriculum there is a far better chance that students will receive the kind of assessment and instruction that they, individually, need. To completely lose ourselves in technology will not alleviate the problems American public school systems are facing. What about all the high need schools that are not receiving these technological advances, the schools that are not being included in this revolution? The gap will widen, the children who are deprived will be left behind. The issue of educational equity needs to be dealt with first and thoroughly. 

Eventually the world will be so intertwined, so porous, that national borders will not matter as much, but as of now, Americans need jobs and any that we can keep, we should. In my opinion the further the student is from the teacher, tutor, classroom, the less likely his or her individual needs will be assessed. This proposal does not seem like a move in the right direction at all.