What are the core principles of education?

I was reading the article “Incubating Next-Gen.Edu” from Campus Technology June 2008 this morning; it was one of the articles Patsy provided at yesterday’s Blue 2.0 Party. I enjoyed the article but it made me think about something’s related to education. I should note that I am impressed with the resources that UC – Riverside has committed to technology on their campus and in particular to the classroom discussed in the article. However, (you knew this was coming) it also made me think about whether or not similar gains in student learning could be completed in a more cost effective, lower technology format.

The article describes how the classroom was completely reconstructed and implemented several unique pieces of technology, but also integrated other lower tech ideas as well , for example using different colored carpet squares to assign people to groups, using white boards around the room and flexible classroom design of moveable tables and chairs. One of the pieces of technology that was discussed included a remote control that would enable a student or group of students to revise and edit another group’s work being shown on the screen. While this is really cool, my question is whether or not this same idea could be implemented using the white boards and different colored markers? Does so much money need to be invested into a single piece of technology when something already exists that does the same basic thing?

I do tend to be conservative, being defined here as more contemplative about change, regarding education than others who are likely to read this post. I do wish to squelch the creativity for developing new technologies, because I realize the benefits they can provide because I recognize the need to have people around me who are more progressive, being defined as more willing to promote change, by increasing technology use in the classroom. I am very happy to work with people, some progressive and some conservative, with differing views on implementation of technology. By working together, and occasionally butting heads, we are able to develop ideas, programs, and good efficient uses of technology to make the instructional practices more effective for student learning.

One part of the article that deserves overwhelming support was that UC – Riverside had developed a unified approach to technology. This makes things easier for faculty and students as all technology systems are similar and thus easier to use, once the system is understood by the user.

On a different topic, this article also made me think about what are some of the most important things we want our students to take away in order to be productive citizens 5, 10, and 15 years into the future. This brought about the title of this particular blog, “What are the core principles of education?” One thought that came to mind was the importance of good writing skills, and it is not just the act of writing but being able to express one’s thoughts in a clear and organized manner, that takes into account different opinions and ideas, and argues for a particular idea based upon evidence. I also see that it is important to learn to work well in small groups, to take into account different ideas and incorporate them with those ideas already formed in your mind. It is also important to be willing to build upon what is already known and understood. The final point is to set up student learning so that they know that it is important to be flexible in their learning and that people learn things in different ways and it may be necessary to adapt their position in order to accommodate someone else.

Some will argue that it is important to teach how to use technology and other things, but at the rate at which technology changes, is that a good use of resources? How often do I spend time now using Basic to program a computer, yet I spent a great deal of time doing that in high school.

My conservative nature says not to change for the sake of change, but to change for the sake of improved learning opportunities!