1. Explain the difference between interdependence and modularity. How is education currently organized?
Interdependence is a system where one piece is reliant on the make up of all the other parts around it. In this system, one item cannot be exchanged without affecting and changing aspects of the system around it. Modularity is a system where piece are less reliant on the make up of all the other parts and allows for the flexibility of change within the system. One piece can be replaced to strengthen the system without having to rehash the whole system. The current education system is made up of a combination of the two. There is one umbrella that every aspect of the system must adhere to what are known as the Common Core Standards. However, within these standards teachers are given creative control as to how they meet the standards. Nonetheless, the current education system reflects a more interdependence system due to the rigidity of the Common Core Standards and No Child Left Behind which forces students to demonstrate their understanding of the material through standardized testing.
Chapter 2: Making the Shift: Schools meet Society’s need
2. Explain the disruptive innovation theory. What does this have to do with schools?
The disruptive innovation theory is an economic theory that attempts to explain the arrival of new competitiors to an already overflooded market. With the overall of a cheaper newcomer that produces similar goods at a fraction of the cost, the whole economin system is shaken now having to compete at a cheaper level otherwise this new cheaper product will begin to dominate the market. If a company is unable to compete, it is disbandoned and sinks. This relates to schools because with the influx of technology more and more schools are comepting for the newest and best forms of technology that would assist in elevating their students to a more technological driven educational and career market.
Chapter 3: Crammed Classroom Computers
3. Why doesn’t cramming computers in schools work? Explain this in terms of the lessons from Rachmaninoff (What does it mean to compete against nonconsumption?)
Cramming computers into schools does not work because computers are being used as a tool to suplement the teaching and learning that students have already been exposed to. Computers are not disrupting because they do not threaten the competetivenss of a human teacher. There ahve yet to be computer programs that can teach students in an identiacal matter to that of a human teacher. Teh Rachmaninoff incident explains how records were used to supplement the musical enjoyement of individuals who were unable to see a live show. It did not threaten the concert market but rather fueled record sales and created a larger music entertainment industry. The non-consumers refer to the individuals that have not been previously tapped into. It is almost like the creation of a new consumer market. Computers would have to appeal to a previously untapped market and must be adapted to meet the needs of those individuals. Right now, charter schools are attempting to supplement the needs of individuals and students who are not getting succeeding in the current traditional education system. Technology cannot compete with the value of a teacher but perhaps one day that will change.
Chapter 4: Disruptively Deploying Computers
4. Explain the pattern of disruption.
First, a new technology is introduced to non-consumers which is quickly adopted and embraced by the non-consumer market. Then, as more and more non-consumers embrace the market and technology more competitors release similar innovations that are cheaper and faster than the first generation. Consumers become more akin to leaving behind the old innovation for the new and improved one. More consumers begin adopting this new medium there is a dramatic spike in the system as the market grows and eventually plateaus.
5. Explain the trap of monolithic instruction. How does student-centric learning help this problem?
Monolithic instruction is a rigorous form of instruction that never seems to check for student understanding. Adhering to standards, lesson plans, and the overall pace of the curriculum are more important the checking for student understanding or comprehension of the material. It does not matter if students are able to keep up with the material all that matters is that the teacher powers through the material and hits all of the standards outlined in the curriculum. Student-centered learning helps the problem because it focuses on student understanding and adapts the lessons and curriculum to ensure that students understand the material before moving on. There is much more progress monitoring, feedback, and differentiated instruction.
6. Explain public education’s commercial system. What does it mean to say it is a value-chain business? How does this affect student-centric learning?
Public education's commercial system revolves mostly around the use of textbooks. Textbooks are created which are then adopted by the states and districts. The teacher adapts their teaching material to fit with textbook material. The students are assessed on how well they know the material in the textbook. The teacher uses the student's assessment of the material to inform their teaching. The district assesses all the students in the district and the material is sent back to textbook creators to adapt, alter, and create the next generation or addition of the textbook. This affects student-centered learning because it is no longer important what the students are taught only that it aligns with the material discussed and assessed according to the text book.
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