Why We’re Failing Math and Science
Posted by: Peter Rillero in Classroom Best Practices, computer assisted instruction, High School Science, Instructional Leadership, Middle School Science, Science Teachers, tags: Joel Klein, New York City Department of EducationA couple of days ago, the Wall Street Journal did an article entitled “Why We’re Failing Math and Science: A panel of experts talks about what’s wrong with our education system—and how to fix it“
One of the experts they interviewed was Joel Klein, chancellor of the New York City Department of Education. He said the following: “we’ve got to use technology differently. In any field but ours, if you fell asleep 50 years ago and woke up today, you wouldn’t recognize what’s going on. In education, if you fell asleep 50 years ago, you still have the same discussions.”
While classrooms have changed, the major change seems to be whiteboards for chalkboards and not big technology gains. The power of technology has not been used to greatly improve math and science education. Nor has technology been fully utilized to make it easier for teachers to help students learn and assess learning. Joel Klien suggests New York City schools are starting this process. As a former New York City teacher (Lehman High School in THE Bronx) I hope he is right, and that other school districts fully embrace technologies, like Adaptive Curriculum, that can help all students learn science and math.
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It seems to me that Chancellor Klien hasn’t been listening to the conversations for using technology differently. I am not sure there has been a 50 year history of discussion about global collaboration, personal learning networks, creativity and problem solving. In fact, I would argue that at best Adaptive Curriculum supports exactly what has been going on in education for far more than 50 years.
Can I link to this webpage, from my web site? I’m wanting to gather as many snippets of useful information as I can.