Walden University Blog

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The problem we face comes from trying to layer informational technologies onto an educational system that has failed to reach students in meaningful ways since the Middle Ages. If you doubt this, look at the painting by Laurentius de Voltolina of a classroom painted in Bologna during the mid 1300's.

You can tell this is a classroom at a single glance – not because the students are sitting in rows (although that is one clue), but because one student in the third row is sound asleep as the teacher drones on, and on, and on.

Of course, the penalty for failing school was not nearly so great then as it is now. Most people of the time didn't know how to read or write, yet they were able to earn a good living. There was no movement in support of 15th century skills, for example - no race to the top.

But, seriously folks, why have we left the core model of this classroom intact for centuries – even though it was already a failure, if the goal was to reach every learner. When informational technology is used to support the old model, it can contribute to the problem, not to the solution.

Forget digital natives/digital immigrants, the learning styles of today's kids, etc. These kids are not a new challenge. School has always been badly structured for some learners – it is just that the consequences of this are greater today than ever before.

So let's get back to technology. If students are to develop good skills in the use of informational technologies, they need to see these uses modeled every day in their classrooms. And just what should these classrooms look like? Consider the following quote:

Forcing children into an existing curriculum inhibits their self-actualization, just as forcing them into neat rows of chairs and desks inhibits their creativity. The teacher (should) become an enabler, an advisor; not, heaven forbid, the transmitter of a pre-existing body of ideas, texts, or, worst of all, facts. The child should construct his own knowledge rather than passively receive it.

Pretty cool, right? So when do you think this was written? Most people guess it is a modern quotation. In fact it is from Harold Rugg's amazing book, The Child-Centered School published in 1928. This book, written by a colleague of Dewey's, should be required reading for anyone entering education today. Unfortunately, it is out of print – I had to search a LONG time to find a copy.

Not only do we know what we need to do to fix our broken system, we've known it for a long time. And, we even have some cool tools that can make the job a bit easier. All it takes is the commitment to follow through – to turn platitudes into practice (No child left behind? Puhleeeeze!)

If we want students to develop effective skills in the use of informational technologies, we need a system that supports these skills ourselves.  Let's create joyous environments that celebrate learning, and where informational flow is democratic and global.  If we commit ourselves to this, the technologies will take care of themselves.