Re: [school-discuss]

[Michael Dean <michaelldean@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Troy Banther wrote:

> Hello Michael,
>
> Actually my opinion of PLATO is mixed. It does certain things very well and 
> others are less than desired. The newer and recent lessons are okay. But 
> there is some legacy lessons.
>
> I am not talking about the old CMI-based OLATO but the newer Pathways.
>
> My understanding is the corporation that owns PLATO, namely The Roach 
> Organization (TRO), also purchased CCC as-well-as Academic Systems. Marxist 
> theory in action I guess or anarchic American capitalism at its best - take 
> your pick.
>
> I don't disagree with you or your studies. We are just showing gain where the 
> student and technology are both combined. This is regardless of the platform.
>
> My personal preference is the Kumon Method when it comes to Mathematics. But 
> then again I don't believe that it is for everyone or evry location.
>
> My goal is to locate software that covers all the basics in Adult Basic 
> Education, GED, ESL, and developmental software that is not childish or 
> offensive to adult learners and is also open source.
>
> Troy
>
>  
Troy, as it turned out, CCC was an additive model --- teacher taught, 
then computer drilled.  With the Plato stuff, a subtractive model was 
used: teacher put some kids on just plato and taught others.  In one 
environment all the title I. kids got palmed off on Plato, while the 
teacher satisfied her goal of showing significant gains for the better 
students.  We reported that as de facto discrimination, since a great 
proportion of the Title I. kids were minority.  I do believe both the 
teacher and the principal were not re-hired.   By the way, my wife is 
designing grade school level finance modules to be taught by parents in 
line with the regular mathematics curriculum.  She is a CPA/math type. 
begin:vcard
fn:Michael Dean
n:Dean;Michael
email;internet:michael.dean@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
tel;work:925-370-8439
tel;fax:none
tel;pager:none
tel;home:925-286-5556
tel;cell:925-286-5556
x-mozilla-html:TRUE
version:2.1
end:vcard