Thousands of Florida kids in classes without teachers

[mia]

By Liz Goodwin – Tue Jan 18, 9:15 am ET

More than 7,000 students in Miami-Dade County Public Schools are in core-subject classes without teachers this year. The students are expected to learn on their own with computers, the New York Times reports.

Florida limited class sizes in 2002 (and voters upheld the law in a referendum in November), but local officials say they can't afford enough teachers to guarantee students human instruction. In the "virtual learning labs," a facilitator is there to deal with any technical problems that may arise with the computers -- but otherwise, kids are on their own.

One student in an Advanced Placement economics class told the Times that many of the students are unmotivated without a teacher there....

Several studies have shown that though virtual learning may seem most promising as a way to deliver education to at-risk students who might not otherwise have access to it, the technique is most effective with highly motivated students. Dropout rates are higher with virtual learning than with in-person classes....

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20110118/us_yblog_thelookout/thousands-of-florida-kids-learn-in-teacher-less-classes


Motivation is always the key.

[murielm99]

1. I tried to learn math that way.

And I am an adult. I needed to go back to a community college and have a class with a teacher. I spent quite a bit of time in the learning center, too, getting help with my homework.

This is hopeless for all those poor kids.

[Angry Dragon]

2. Perhaps that is one reason gates is so interested in

changing how the students learn

get rid of the teachers and just let them use computers and his software

[mia]

12. re-form vs. reform

The "recasting" of the delivery of education is profitable for people like Gates, but not necessarily better for most students.

[hedgehog]

3. How come stories like this never come up when the high rate of

taxation in New York State is under discussio

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

4. Free market.

:patriot:

[HysteryDiagnosis]

5. A seemingly useful resource, I shall tinker with it myself....

http://www.wtamu.edu/academic/anns/mps/math/mathlab/col_algebra/index.htm

[mia]

14. Great find! YouTube also has videos on various Math concepts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXx0K7jA1Gg&feature=related

[bluestateguy]

6. "Learn on their own with computers"

More likely: the kids are spending the class period looking at Facebook, porn and YouTube.

[Dappleganger]

13. They do that when a teacher is present.

More than likely these students are fraternizing on a whole 'nuther level.

[Starry Messenger]

7. Contrary to popular belief

a lot of high school kids like their teachers and like having them there. This might work well for a few kids, but most students I have enjoy the give and take of class, and time they have with me. It's a social exchange, education.

[mia]

15. I agree - also is preparation for "teamwork" in the working world.

A good education always prepares students to be able to work with others and to learn new skills. Change is for certain and social skills and self-motivation are essential.

[Obamanaut]

8. With a voucher in hand to go to a private school, might these young

people find a classroom with a teacher?

[LooseWilly]

22. Sure. Further draining of the public school system is a great solution.

How about we fully fund our excellent public, liberal, school system and let people who want to go to private school find the funds to pay for that.

[Orlandodem]

9. The Repukes are not funding education at the levels the public demands.

The people of Florida have twice voted for small classes. The first was in 2002 when we voted to limit class size. The 2nd was last November when we rejected a Reich Wing call to amend the 2002 law. It's really that simple.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

16. This could turn into a current teachers vs retired teachers very easily

[tblue37]

20. Well, then, the people of Florida need to stop electing Republicans who ignore

their wishes!

[midnight]

10. Can you imagine if more of our tax dollars went for teachers salaries instead of bankers mansions,

sports cars, and private planes?

[Exilednight]

11. I am so glad Obama and Arne spent that Race to the Bottom money so wisely.

:sarcasm:

[HowHasItComeToThis]

21. JUST PLAIN PISSES ME OFF

[snot]

17. How much did they spend on the computers?

And the software; and the network; and the maintenance . . .

They tried to teach us math suing tv programs in 4th grade, and it was an absolute disaster. If you didn't follow something, you couldn't get it to stop and answer your question, so you were completely lost for the rest of the lesson.

[Iris]

18. hmmm.... bad use of good technology

There could be a place for this but not in this way. I went to an "open" school in 6th and 7th grade. We did a lot of work at our own pace and the instructors were there to help us when we got stuck. I don't see why this couldn't work online, but it would have to done in a meaningful way, not simply b/c you can't afford to hire teachers.

I also wonder, are parents FORCED to send their kids to school? What I mean is, if I didn't want my kid to sit in a classroom in front of a computer all day, would I be breaking the law by keeping my child at home?

[mia]

19. Florida has "virtual schools" for those who stay home.

http://www.flvs.net/Pages/default.aspx