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Stephen Downes

Knowledge, Learning, Community

The Flickering Mind

Slashdot, May 13, 2004

Review of Todd Oppenheimer's The Flickering Mind, a critique of the use of computers in schools. The review and the Slashdot discussion that follows show a scepticism about online learning that would not be expected in a forum for internet developers such as this, and while (as some commentators point out) the picture painted of online learning is exaggerated, some of the critiques are nonetheless valid. Two great observations in the comments: one observing that online learning is at its best in the marginal cases, and another describing his use of the internet to support informal learning. If there is a lesson from this discussion, it is that merely dumping computers in classrooms will not automatically improve learning. But we all knew that - right? Thanks to Michael for sending me the link.

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Stephen Downes Stephen Downes, Casselman, Canada
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