School was the subject of this morning’s discussion with Karl and Lisa, and how technology has developed over the past decade or so.
Back in the day it was blackboard and chalk when I was at school, then they moved onto whiteboards and ink markers. A couple of years ago they started putting up interactive whiteboards connected to computers, which meant a teacher could give a lesson using this technology as an aid. Today, we had the ActivExpression Handsets, which are nifty little devices that allow students to learn at their own pace. A teacher will ask questions that the children answer by putting in their answer. If a child gets the question right, the next one is a little harder. Alternatively, if a child gets the wrong answer, they get a question that is a little easier. This allows the student to learn at their own pace. There is even a little race that can be screened on the classroom television between characters that represent the children. The more questions you get right, the faster your character goes. It’s not a bad idea, and it certainly gives children a new facet to their learning. As long as there is still interaction between the teacher and the children, then I’m all for it.