have changed, essentially schools have remained the same. Schools still reflect an
assemblyline mentality (established in the 1920's) that was designed for a time clock
efficiency of rudimentarily educated population. We break education into "logical"
subjects that rarely intermix. We teach text as the "sole" source of learning with few
exceptions that are frequently text based because of time limitations.
Our institutions reflect the content as GOD ideology when skills are far less fluid than
the actual content we teach. I am old enough to have had history textbooks that posited
Egypt as the first civilization. (Mesopotamia was "only understood 30 years before. Even
today we are discovering the potential for new world civilizations that may predate
Mesopotamia.) Science and math are clearly fluid. Communication (often held hostage to
English classes and textbased delivery) has undergone massive changes.
Using content of some sort to faciltate skill development will be the most relevant thing
we do. Yet it is the most underconsidered aspect of our institutions. Too hidebound by
our own futureshock we have stayed too long at the fair and our students hae moved on. I
still believe taht we have much to offer, if we are only willing to ascertain what that
is.
David F. Withrow
Director of Technology
Harford Day School
Bel Air, Maryland 21014
voice: 410 879 2350 ex 33
fax: 410 836 5918
http://www.harfordday.org
The test of the morality of a society is what it does for its children.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is.
- Yogi Berra
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