What if there were no distractions? What if every student could learn at his
own pace? If every student was guided though school as if by a personal
tutor who walked the student through problems step-by-step, would learning
not be greatly facilitated?

Replace 10 math teachers with 1 supervisor to watch 300 schoolchildren in a
computer lab. Let the teachers of the United States come together to devise
and agree upon the “best” way to explain a procedure in algebra and address
all possible resulting questions. An interactive computer program can then
teach the procedure step by step in a series of video clips to students in a
lab. The clips would be so straight forward that almost all questions would
be eliminated, but answers to the other frequently asked questions would be
available in the program. After each clip it would then test the student
for mastery of the information before moving to the next topic. Students
would learn information quickly and effectively.

Here is an overview of the advantages:
1. Computers replace teachers – this is less costly for school
districts and thus taxpayers.
2. No distractions – students are isolated and learn independently from
each other.
3. No waiting – the computer does not have wait for the supervisor to
take role or answer phone calls during class. The computer waits for you.
4. Instead of many teachers around the world explaining a concept in
their own ways, only the explanations that proved to be the most effective
would be shown in the program.
5. The program can learn how the students learn best and show versions
of the video clips that are most compatible with the students’ respective
learning styles.
6. If a student has a question, the program will likely be able to
answer it using its searchable database of questions and answers from
students and teachers in previous years. The student will not hold up the
entire class for his question.
7. Students are tested on concepts before they move on. The computer
does not waste time explaining something that student is not expected to
understand.
8. The required frequent interaction prevents absentmindedness and
saves time. It does not allow for students to stop paying attention as
doing so would result in a tangible halt of progress.
9. Students would not be allowed to leave the lab until their day’s
worth of work is done. This encourages students to stay on task.
10. Students can spend more time in subjects where they need the most
help. Perhaps 1.5 hours of math and 0.5 hours of science would be more
helpful than 1 hour of each for some students.
11. Learning on the computer eliminates worksheets and use of paper,
saving money and the environment.

This revolutionary teaching technique would be most effective in classes
where the agenda is primarily lecture, such as in math and social science
classes. In classes where open discussion or use of equipment is necessary,
such as English or science, mortal teachers would still remain for at least
part of the school year.

How do you feel about computers teaching students? Why do you think this
idea would or would not be successful? What flaws do you note – and what
possible solutions do you have to these flaws?

Symptoms of senioritis in its early stages can cause fidgeting, constant checking of the time during the entire class period, inability to concentrate (severe daydreaming), and worst of all tardiness to class. These symptoms usually start in an infected victim from the months of February – April. Once the second week of April has passed, regardless of duration of sickness, much more severe symptoms set in. These extreme symptoms include, but are not limited to; ditching, extreme irritability, wandering of the school campus during class sessions, inability to write complete sentences, and acute depression.

Scientists say they are worried that they do not have a have a cure for this age old disease as April approaches. Every year families are shattered due to this dreaded syndrome. Researchers have compiled a list of things that cause senioritis. This list includes “acceptance to a desired college”, “friends”, “warm weather”, and most importantly “the inability to deal with the concept of high school any longer”. Statistics show that currently 35% of foothill seniors have been diagnosed with senioritis. However it is expected that by the end of April 2010 over 90% of foothill seniors will be part of this epidemic.