Re: SHAPE OF FUTURE SCHOOLING

[Marti Anderson <marti@inwave.com>]

Hi Jim!

I was disturbed by your message on the future of education. While I
agree that technology can play a very important role in education, I
think if we rely on a technology-based model of education, we will be
missing out on a very important component of teaching and learning, that
all-important human factor, which you seem to feel is unimportant.

Many children rely on that hug, that pat on the back, that encouraging
smile from their teachers. In my opinion, the best teachers are those
who can combine all the factors you mention in your message with
compassion, going the extra mile for students who need them. People who
thirst for knowledge and who are self-motivated will thrive in the
environment you picture. Others will smother or drown. We are there for
ALL students, not only "the best and the brightest."

I hesitated before writing this, left your message sitting in my Inbox,
hoping that I might be able to simply ignore the message or that I would
read it differently later, as I do not like to offend anyone. But, upon
reflection, I feel this is just too important to be ignored.

I wish you well.

:-)   Marti Anderson
mailto:marti@inwave.com
student, SLIS, UW-Milwaukee
substitute teacher, Janesville Public Schools
seeker of employment as an elementary school library media specialist