Group 5/Week 5- Finding the way to the future...

July 26, 2010
Group 3/Week 5: Wendy Schwalb & Pat Alfarone

We spoke at length about the numbered topics. Here are our notes.
Our opinion is that there is work to do but we are ready to do it!

1. The future in terms of the effect on human lives and the shape that schooling and education are likely to take.


Home school- access to public school extracurricular because of paying taxes. Good use of paying taxes.

Focus is interest-based.


Virtual teacher- used by home-schooling families.
Adjunct to the current system? Like Skype.
Depending upon the location.

Joint statement: Future will see more use of school choices.
When the future choice has a greater benefit that the current choice, the change will occur. (Like when the change is more like from the horse-and-buggy to the automobile) But, who will go the way of the buggy whip manufacturers? They will adapt or go extinct. Cost benefit analysis.

2. Characteristics of a teacher in the new informational era and the role of
the process of professional career development.
Motivate from love of something or from fear of something.
Teacher's char. should be no different in the future than they are now: enthusiasm, life-long learner, and be able to impart that to others. Some people should not teach just like some people should not be mechanics or doctors or any other career. Teachers choose their profession as others choose their professions.
Learned practical things from class- end result of teaching!! Learning.

3. Predict the development of Education and Schooling in the future.
Development: trying to align with current job market from the early ages.
Microsoft co. set up. Gossiping vs. Collaboration! Think tank. Getting work done!
Linear vs. global style of instruction. Down with podiums! Social vs. intellectual levels. Logical combination of ages. But, if the lower level students are always with that level... Differentiated instruction? RTI. Puts intervention on teachers.
4. How much does students' education and school's effectiveness depend on teacher? The entire education process of one student is a group enterprise. So many facets. Education comes from home also. Improve individual, improves the overall educational environment. PBIS!! Teaching people how to be responsible and how to respect themselves. This must start at home. Build values into everything.