I'm going to take Sudhir Gupta's criticisms of Khan Academy as granted, because I think the points are valid. The method - which assumes reliable internet connectivity and sustained, individual device access, and digital literacy - runs the risk of subsidizing the rich rather than helping the poor. As Gupta says, "showcasing Navodaya schools as 'India impact' feels misleading... They represent the exception - the already-well-resourced institutions." Fair enough. But the proposed solution - 'Teacher Mode' - requires even more investment, specifically, human teachers. Going back to the technologies that were too expensive in the past won't address this even more pressing problem in the future. Mass media - books, radio, television - get us part of the way. Mass personal media will be needed to get us the rest of the way. But how to do that, while avoiding the worst excesses of 'personalized learning' and social media - that is the question.
Today: Total: [Direct link] [Share]
