Blurts

Evidently some feel that there is an opportunity to “disrupt” the educational content industry (formerly known as textbook publishing). Books cost a lot and some students find reading books a struggle. Various entrepreneurs recognize this as an opportunity, but now feel frustrated that their brilliance has allowed them to make little head way. Perhaps educational institutions fail to grasp the advances they offer and the institutions must be circumvented if “progress” is to be made. [my quick summary of what companies attempt to disrupt education have concluded based on Matt Greenfield post in Disrupt Education).

One thing that I fail to grasp (me talking now) in the outsider view of educational activity is just how those who are frustrated understand learning to happen. There seems to be an assumption that the “things” that offer information or the “processes” that encourage interaction with these things are somehow flawed. Perhaps so, but a clear description of just where things break down is lacking. If the solution was simple educational researchers would have offered solutions long ago. Why would those with a motive to start a business have insights that those who spend their careers analyzing teaching and learning do not?

Perhaps a more productive model would require evidence before expecting sales.

The limitation I see in NCLB is that what the program is purported to accomplish is not the problem to be solved in order to address issues of international competition. Getting as many students as possible to some basic level of functioning is not the need as indicated by data summarized by the Economic Policy Institute. Basic skills are not regarded as lacking by employers who need workers with basic skills. Educational programs for the encouragement of high achieving students do not receive sufficient attention.

California politicians and academic administrators evidently disagree on the role for online learning in higher education. LATimes describes the difference in positions taken by Gov. Brown and UC President Napolitano. Descriptions sounds like a “boots on the ground” (military comparisons are in) go slow approach versus a silicon valley encouraged tech is the answer approach.

The flipped classroom seems to be a technology supported trend gaining the most acceptance with teachers. This conclusion from Speak Up data.