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Educators and tech community review web-based education
By Bryan Rockstroh
Tears and laughter punctuated the April 7 public hearing of the Web-Based Education Commission, as educators and politicos discussed possibilities of enhancing learning through the Internet.
During the round-table discussion held at Sun Microsystems in Menlo Park, De Anza College President Martha Kanter spoke to U.S. Congressional commissioners. The WBEC, a16-member government-appointed panel seeking ways to bring educators and the Internet together, is charged with finding ways to turn the Internet into the world's largest teaching tool. They also hope to identify roadblocks that might keep students from going online.
Commissioners suggested crossing the digital divide through business partnerships and empowering students with regard to their own education. They cautioned against too much government interference and expressed concern over basic skill levels, citing low math and English entry test scores for entering college freshmen.
"We need to define what we consider to be critical thinking skills," Kanter said, "as well as develop incentives for business partnerships with schools." She also suggested the commission showcase model schools and require that Internet media be accessible.
Tom Greaves, Vice Chairman of the Board for NetSchools Corporation, echoed Kanter's sentiments. "Some students can't succeed at standardized state tests because the required materials are unavailable," said Greaves, who travels nationwide, researching standardized tests. He checks to see if the necessary help is available, and said that often it is not. "When students have access to the Internet, we find two things," he said. "They pass the standardized tests, and they go far beyond what's required of them."
Speakers on the panel stressed the importance of professional development for educators. At the same time, they addressed the Catch-22 inherent in making teachers technologically savvy and watching them leave for higher paying jobs.
"If we had the amount of turnover at Intel that you have in education, with first- and second-year teachers, we'd be out of business," said Pauline Albert, manager of Intel's Education Web Program.
Panelists also urged Commission Chairman Sen. Bob Kerrey (D-NE) and vice chairman, Rep. Johnny Isakson (R-GA), participating in the hearing via satellite, to push for a nationwide inventory of students' online connections. California State Superintendent for Public Instruction Delaine Eastin said she supported the idea, but acknowledged such an accounting may result in some red faces.
"We can certainly do that," Eastin said, "but it would embarrass some people."
Schools would do well to involve parents and empower the students, said Milton Chen, executive director of the George Lucas Educational Foundation. "Map out each piece of the community and ask what they can do to support teacher education," Chen said. He suggested businesses provide professional development and parents increase volunteer activities and put pressure on schools to perform. Students, who tend to know more than teachers about today's technology, could serve as teaching assistants, he said, helping educators with computerized presentations and online searches.
Kanter said educators must determine how to best promote interaction when using technology. The power of the Internet, she said, is in its interactive capabilities. "It has to be more than just good content. You can turn on the television and get superb content."
WBEC will wrap up its work this fall and deliver a report to President Clinton and Congress in November. Sun Microsystems Director of Science John Gage urged everyone to stay in touch and keep the dialogue going.
"Someone has to do this for the students," said Gage. "If it's not us who are going to do it, then who's going to do it?"
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Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
