SAS CEO Blasts Old-School Schooling

theodp writes "What does SAS CEO Dr. Jim Goodnight have in common with 47% of high school dropouts? A belief that school is boring. Marking the 50th anniversary of Sputnik with a call for renewed emphasis on science and technology in America's schools, Goodnight finds today's kids ill-served by old-school schooling: 'Today's generation of kids is the most technology savvy group that this country has ever produced. They are born with an iPod in one hand and a cell phone in another. They're text messaging, e-mailing, instant messaging. They're on MySpace, YouTube & Google. They've got Nintendo Wiis, Game Boys, PlayStations. Their world is one of total interactivity. They're in constant communication with each other, but when they go to school, they are told to leave those 'toys' at home. They're not to be used in school. Instead, the system continues teaching as if these kids belong to the last century, by standing in front of a blackboard.'"

Comments

Re:Time to revisit education in general

[patio11]

I'm sure the teachers unions will embrace that idea with the same wonderful sense of acceptance and experimentation that they embraced charter schools, school choice, and merit pay with.

Re:But you're missing the point of school.

[SIIHP]

I read your link.

As a former teacher, I have to say that was the biggest steaming pile I've ever seen. The assumptions that idiot makes must have resulted in one of the worst run, least effective classrooms in history.

I taught. I taught students how to think. So every time I see some asshole like you making blanket assertions like you did, it makes me glad I got out.

I was a good teacher, and jackasses who think they know WTF is going on like you ran me off with attitudes exactly like yours. So the next time you bemoan the state of education, remember the shit you've spewed and that you bear some responsibility yourself.