7 ms·

The mentality isn't the problem, the budget is. Assembly-line is a cost saving strategy, not a pedagogical strategy. Most good ideas in education are ruined up

by gowld 4y ago

The mentality isn't the problem, the budget is. Assembly-line is a cost saving strategy, not a pedagogical strategy. Most good ideas in education are ruined upon deployment because they cost more than sociey is willing to spend (on average), except for the few who have wealthy private patrons (parents or "scholarship aid" / "gifted" programs). And most bad-looking ideas are attempts to make the best of the limited budget, or good ideas were ruined by lack of budget. "Individualized instruction" is the current one -- we can't afford good individualized instruction, so everyone hates the bad individualized instruction we get. Gifted kids especially, have complex talents that don't always fit inside a software program in a 2-D screen. Technology can be cost effective, but that's not the same as giving best results.

contingencies 4y ago
Well that's a cop-out. Homeschooling is an option for many of us. Furthermore, the global market for an individual, first-world teacher, online is currently about $20/hr. There is a vast array of resources available immediately at no charge. It has never been easier to seek external instruction. Gamification of learning has created kids with sophisticated understanding of space, time, networks, etc. free of human teachers. The trend is clear. We can push further.
- freemint 4y ago
  That seems very presumptive and very americocentric. Homeschooling is not an option almost everywhere. You would need to make more then the teacher to justify employing one. Even then it is not guaranteed that you end up with a good teacher (or a good student teacher fit) so you have to shop around, yet another thing people can't do easily.
  - contingencies 4y ago
    I'm an Aussie/Kiwi/German in China. I don't think I'm Americocentric, but feel free to make your own reality. Economically, let's say out of 9-3PM typical school hours there are 4 productive hours. If we reduce by 25% due to 1:1 effectiveness vs. classes, 3 hours per day @ $20 = $60/day x 5 days/week x 4 weeks = $1200/month. That's really not so bad for 3 hours of private teaching per day. You could easily share it with another child/friend, so optionally divide by that factor ($600/month for 2 kids, $400/month for 3 kids). It's affordable, now, with no special circumstances, for many people. Look at what private schools charge. Here in China, for example, they start at $300/day.

by gowld 4y ago

contingencies 4y ago

Well that's a cop-out. Homeschooling is an option for many of us. Furthermore, the global market for an individual, first-world teacher, online is currently about $20/hr. There is a vast array of resources available immediately at no charge. It has never been easier to seek external instruction. Gamification of learning has created kids with sophisticated understanding of space, time, networks, etc. free of human teachers. The trend is clear. We can push further.

freemint 4y ago
That seems very presumptive and very americocentric. Homeschooling is not an option almost everywhere. You would need to make more then the teacher to justify employing one. Even then it is not guaranteed that you end up with a good teacher (or a good student teacher fit) so you have to shop around, yet another thing people can't do easily.
- contingencies 4y ago
  I'm an Aussie/Kiwi/German in China. I don't think I'm Americocentric, but feel free to make your own reality. Economically, let's say out of 9-3PM typical school hours there are 4 productive hours. If we reduce by 25% due to 1:1 effectiveness vs. classes, 3 hours per day @ $20 = $60/day x 5 days/week x 4 weeks = $1200/month. That's really not so bad for 3 hours of private teaching per day. You could easily share it with another child/friend, so optionally divide by that factor ($600/month for 2 kids, $400/month for 3 kids). It's affordable, now, with no special circumstances, for many people. Look at what private schools charge. Here in China, for example, they start at $300/day.