Lean Production: Inside the war on public education

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13. I see your point.

Children have never learned anything from videos. That's why Sesame Street and School House Rock were such failures.



Video is an excellent medium to teach children because if they don't understand it; they can watch it again without someone having to repeat anything. If the child doesn't understand something; they can ask the teacher (or a parent). If a child is identified as incapable of learning by video; then I can see some kind if special program, but I doubt there is any evidence that children can't learn from video.

If educators are laboring under the misconception that technology can't improve learning in the classroom (any classroom); they can expect to be disappointed.

It took a while for CAD software to replace draftsmen (they require a lot of setup and there are still glitches). However, once the time savings were realized and repetitive tasks were automated; there was never talk of going back.

The education industry needs a similar revolution. Children aren't getting the tools they need to succeed and very often it is because educators refuse to take responsibility for their failures by trying to blame academic failure on parents and often times the children themselves.

I've seen discussions here on DU make that argument (its the parents fault) and that has been my experience in meetings with school personnel (blame the parents). Educators tend to circle the wagons when they are faced with criticism and I think it reduces the positive perception of outsiders.

Don't get me wrong; I respect teachers. I believe there are a lot of good teachers out there, but I think when teachers heap too much praise upon one another or the industry itself; those of us who have had bad experiences with teachers might not speak up because of the love fest. Even though we disagree.

The industry has fallen behind because of the type of funding that it receives. Parents (who should be the client) have no control over the activities of the professionals.

Compare that to Lawyers, Accountants, Engineers, or Medical Doctors even. If you don't have any control over the people who are providing the professional service; you take your business to the firm down the street.

It is no doubt unsatisfied customers (like myself) who are trying to bring about the charter schools; are motivated by this disconnect.

I want to believe that representative government like the local school board is the solution, but schools just seem to get worse.