Toffler-Future Shock

This article was interesting. Some parts of it I agreed with, while other parts I found a bit hard to swallow. Toffler's makes some very radical comments that I can't imagine occurring, but then didn't we say that about a man walking on the moon at one time?

One quote in particular that he makes runs something like this:

"New technologies make possible customization in a way that the old system--everybody reading the same textbooks at the same time--did not offer."

This is seems to suggest diversity with the use of technology. Toffler appears to be quite right with this thought. I can easily see how technology like blogging can place students at their own level of skill development. They are learning as they progress. They are also participating in class to the best of their ability at any given time (that is provided they are interested in doing so). I also can see how this could adapt to different learning styles. Students learning English as a second language could use the blog to show how they convert their language to English, this in turn becomes a learning tool for the rest of the students. I can also see LD students (that's learning disabled) take off with this type of technology. It offers them a chance to publish to a number of people and to receive feedback to what they have written. By conducting a mini-lesson on proper blogging etiquette students are more likely to leave constructive and productive comments to classmates blogs. This in turn offers an LD student an opportunity to build confidence in their abilities to communicate. Quite often this is a skill that LD students feel they don't possess.

The rest of the article was just as provocative, but instead of discussing it I'd rather take a quick look at Toffler's ideal "School of the Future." These are:

Schools that are open 24-hours a day

I sort of like this ideal. I could see it working for many parents with work schedules that aren't the usual 9 to 5. Also students have different times when they are at their best. My best thinking times are, believe it or not primarily after 9 p.m. until around midnight. Our world doesn't always operate on a 9 to 5 schedule and kids really need to see this. Still, I can see this as hard for school district to adapt to, almost equates with that old thought of students going to school during the summer.

Customized educational experiences

This is a good idea. Students are not all alike. We can't expect to crank them out like cookies we have cut from the same mold. Each student has their likes and dislikes, and they have their strengths and weaknesses as well.

Students coming and going at all hours

Difficult to do, but it would be a good ideal.

Students starting school at different ages

Somehow, I can't see this one.

Integration of curriculum across all disciplines

This is a great one. I would dearly love to see more of this occurring. I can't imagine teaching something without giving pieces of other subjects. For example, students need to understand background history in order to understand certain historically related books.

Non-teachers working with teachers

Another great one. Non-teachers doesn't have to mean any Tom, Dick, or Harry, but it could include the expert on whatever the current topic of discussion might be. Perhaps an author of a particular book, or someone's favorite NASCAR driver!

Exposure of teachers to both the world of business and the school room

Ahh, this one could be a bit touchy. On the one hand I can see exposing teachers to the business world by having them employed within it's boundaries, but on the other hand I can't always envision them as enjoying it or as being altogether successful. A good teacher does not mean a good business person and vice versa. A better approach to this one might be to allow the teacher to work with someone in the business field (a mentor), to learn about how business functions and what needs to be taught in the classroom. A business person could also try working with a teacher in the classroom in the same manner - this is a bit like asking the author of a book to visit the class, but for a much longer visit.

Allowing local businesses to have offices at the school

I'm not sure about this one. It could be good since students would be able to visit local business men and women, yet it could be bad as well. The influence of business on students future buying habits could become an issue.

An increase in the number of charter schools

This is not an ideal that I am enamoured with.