When the School of the Future designed by Microsoft was opened, the facility was a paragon of contemporary architecture, with a roof "green" corridors full of light and the latest technology for the classrooms, all in a modern building radiantly white.
The educators and the media throughout the world was very attentive to see if Microsoft could reform public education through innovation and technology.
Although the creative ambitions of high school have been frustrated in part by frequent changes of director, stresses in the curriculum and students unfamiliar with the culture of the laptops, the school graduated its first students Tuesday and all have been accepted at several universities.
"The first three years were definitely a challenge," said Mary Cullinane, Microsoft link with the school. "They are making their way now. I'm excited to see what comes next."
Built with $ 63 million of municipal funds, the school collaborated with Microsoft on new approaches to curriculum, instruction and recruitment. Attracted reform-minded teachers and students determined to avoid the traditional schools.
The vision was of a school without papers or textbooks that embody the theme "Continuing, relevant, adaptable." Each student would receive a laptop to take notes, homework and take exams.
However, students are chosen through a lottery among students from public schools. Most come from low-income households without computers at home and come to a place where they must manage their studies in a laptop.
"I felt something strange," said Kenneth Bolds, 17. "I was used to pencils and notebooks."
Educators also assumed that students come to school by paying the appropriate level, but half of the students in the impoverished district has trouble reading and mathematics.
Cullinane noted that the school can not control the education of students before receiving them, but warns that no test results say it all.
"The trip is long term and we have to put aside short-term measurements," he says.
No comments:
Post a Comment