Being originally a mathematics teacher in the 80s, I was looking forward to hearing from Seymour as his theories were underpinning much of the pedagogies around mathematics at that time. As well, I taught LOGO which was in its early stages of programming basic machines in classrooms. Much has changed since then.
Get down to the fundamentals…that is ‘hard’ thinking, says Seymour. Development of critical thinking doesn’t require computers. However, if we put one pencil in every classroom it would not improve the literacy, but if we give everyone a pencil then it enables all students to write as a computer in the hand of each student enables them to access learning opportunities.
Complacency is a serious problem in relation to implementation of resources that enable contemporary learning. Often, it is significant events outside of education that develops a motivation to invest in education. He sees that ‘globalisation’ is a shift that provides significant economic and social benefits for countries and why developing countries must invest in their future.
Stop fussing about 1:1 computing, Seymour says. - it will happen in the very near future. The real question is why don’t they? Knowledge workers do!!
Shift from a focus on how to learn to ‘what’ to learn for students in this new world? Build, amplify and extend on what students bring into schools.
Educationalist should not accept the offerings of industry but set the pace for what we want and need. The $100 laptop project is proof you can shape industry.
Garry
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