Subject: [IFETS-DISCUSSION:2909] Dr. Bork's Discussion
From: Mike Zenanko (mzenanko@jsucc.jsu.edu)
Date: Thu 28 Feb 2002 - 20:26:03 MET
From: "Mike Zenanko" <mzenanko@jsucc.jsu.edu> Subject: [IFETS-DISCUSSION:2909] Dr. Bork's Discussion Date: Fri, 1 Mar 2002 08:26:03 +1300
When I reduce Nell's teaching machine to a wireless laptop I am not
ignoring the marvelous programming that the engineer must have done. I
do see that the human interface provided by Miranda made a difference on
the outcome. To me she had a teacher, one that cared about her; despite
the fact Miranda was an actress reading a script. Maybe I am reading
something into the book (reader response), but there does seem to be a
difference in the outcomes of the learners.
I have been involved with human to human tutoring several years. My
tutors use software to supplement their instruction. I am also involved
with online tutoring both synchronous and asynchronous. I see children
in the tutoring programs as being unique and so is each tutoring
session. However, I see some children that have special needs that it is
a teacher's task to educate without a clear paradigm. When the
teacher/tutor cares, something usually clicks. I see the same thing in
Miranda's and Nell's relationship. I agree that a software program that
adapts to all these variations would be a marvelous machine. I do not
see that as a reality, nor do I see a machine caring. I work with so
many children of various abilities that it is hard for me to conceive a
one source solution albeit adaptive artificial intelligence. I believe
that tutoring is the best way to teach, however it is not 'cost
effective' and may not be 'programmable.'
In a way I see the teaching machine as a problem education has had for
some time. To me the programs of the engineers are more apt to be based
on numbers and experimental studies (again reader response). In the
Industrial Age, educators look at the scientific method as a way to
determine the efficiency of some way to teach children. The scientific
method supports this 'new way' to teach based on a statistical outcome,
yet we still do not have all the answers in education. In human teaching
and learning, causal relationships derived from statistical studies
based on experimental outcomes may not be clear or hide un-measurable
variables. The art of teaching exists and may not be programmable.
Motivating, caring teachers that adapt, create, and provide academic
assistance are not machines.
Mike Zenanko M. Ed.
Coordinator Teaching Learning Center
Jacksonville State University
700 Pelham Road North
Jacksonville, Alabama 36265-1602
Voice: 256.782.5617
Fax: 256.782.5959
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