Journal #5

Christensen, C.M., & Horn, M.B. (2008). Disrupting Class: Student-Centric Education Is the Future. Edutopia, Retrieved October 8, 2008, from http://www.edutopia.org/student-centric-education-technology.

This article starts with a vision of the future: that each student works with a computer program tailored to their own individual needs. That each student is learning the same material but in a way that best suits how they are going to learn. Unfortunately that is not how our schools work today, most schools do have computers now but they are not using them to their full ability. The article then goes on to explain the difference between innovation and disruptive innovation. This program needs to be put into place to transform the classroom onto a path on computer innovation.

Question 1: How will all schools be able to afford the cost of the programs being used?
Different schools have different financial programs. To ensure that students from higher socioeconomic statues receive the same technology programs of those students from the lower socioeconomic statues the government/states need to provide the funding for these programs. Each student should have the right to the same programs no matter what financial statues their schools are in.

Question 2: If the vision of a computer taught lessons comes true what is the use for real life teachers?
The teachers will turn more into facilitators of the computer programs as well as help the students with their individual needs. If one student is having a problem understanding a certain part of the program the teacher would be able to help that one student with their individual problem. It opens up the teacher’s time to focus on helping the students who really need it and just facilitating with the rest.