Content-type: text/html Downes.ca ~ Stephen's Web ~ How Pearson plans to force student participation and hurt creativity

Stephen Downes

Knowledge, Learning, Community

I do the New York Times crossword on a regular basis. Just as in the Poincare example described by Stephen Krashen in this article, I've found that if I'm stuck on a clue, or on a section, if I turn away from it for a bit - sometimes just a few moments - and come back later, the answer is right there. Why is this more than just a curiosity? The Pearson software under discussion here prevents students from turning away and focusing on something else for a few moments. Krashen explains, "This strengthens an error nearly all schooling makes and makes true creative thinking and learning impossible." It's an interesting point, and it sounds right to me. This is one of several few posts on the new Pearson software; see also The Most Intrusive Software of All Time, and Pearson's Plan to Close the Achievement Gap. Image: Testing for Kindergarten.

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Stephen Downes Stephen Downes, Casselman, Canada
stephen@downes.ca

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Last Updated: Nov 21, 2024 11:46 a.m.

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