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Feel free to flame me for this if you wish, but....

On Mon, 7 Jun 2004 08:46:24 -0400 "Swiston, Bethany L"
<[log in to unmask]> writes:
> I was completely psyched about how the technology was impacting my
> instructional program, but I've recently read an article in which
> the author perceived technology in a negative light.  She saw that
> using technology that is enjoyable promotes the perception that
> education should always be entertaining, although learning is
> sometimes a difficult and taxing process.

See, this is why I'm dubious about "professional studies" or whatever
they call glorified op-ed pieces like the one Bethany refers to. Let me
get this straight... the author in question perceived things "in a
negative light" --- because the students enjoyed them? The author feared
that they might find education enjoyable, when they >should< think of it
as taxing and difficult? What a pile of @#$%^&*!

Hey, I know. Let's not let kids do any experiments; instead, let's make
them memorize factoids and formulas and analyze huge reams of data! That
ougta pare down their expectations that learning is enjoyable. And it
doesn't end with science. Let's ban the Harry Potter books (kids seem to
LIKE those, so you know they've gotta be bad news!) A more appropriate
book would be Finnegan's Wake, or perhaps Atlas Shrugged. Now THOSE ought
to teach the young uns the important lesson that reading is not
enjoyable!

OK, I'll turn off the sarcasm. But seriously, a word to Bethany: you're
the one actually working with these students, you're the one who knows
the best how well your approach is or isn't working. Don't doubt yourself
just cause some "expert" is mouthing off. And for what it's worth, I
think your initial assessment is right: bolstering students' enthusiasm
about learning can only be a good thing.

Rant over,
Jonah Cohen
Outreach & Public Programs Manager
Science Center of Connecticut

"Scalia finished his memo by writing 'If a Supreme Court justice
can be bought so cheaply, this country is in deeper trouble than I
thought.'
In a related story, this country is in deeper trouble than Scalia
thought."
-The Daily Show


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