Claudia Wallis (b. 1954) is the founding and managing editor of Time For Kids, published for 4th to 6th-grade students. She has been with Time since 1979 as a medical writer, reporter on social issues, education writer, and science and technology editor. This article appeared in a special issue of the newsmagazine, "Welcome to Cyberspace," in 1995.
"The Learning Revolution" (Composing Cyberspace, p.391) is not available online.
1. Wallis contrasts the use of classroom computers "as little more than electronic workbooks for drill" (¶ 1) with the more sophisticated "wondrous things" happening at Dalton School. Where do your previous experiences with classroom technology fit into this range?
2. Based on this article, how would you define "constructivist learning"? How do you think this kind of learning is manifested or promoted in each of the extended examples given by Wallis -- the projects in rooms 711, 608, and 307? Which of these projects do you think could be carried out in more conventional ways, and with what success?
3. Wallis argues that Dalton "is using technology to change the traditional roles of the teacher as oracle and the student as passive receptacle for hand-me-down knowledge" (¶ 2). How would you characterize the roles of teachers and students in some of your own classes? Based on this article and your own experience, to what extent do you think changing the traditional relationship between teachers and students is a good thing?
feedback form |
permissions |
international |
locate your campus rep |
request a review copy
Copyright ©2001 The McGraw-Hill Companies.
digital solutions |
publish with us |
customer service |
mhhe home
Any use is subject to the
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
McGraw-Hill Higher Education is one of the many fine businesses of the
The McGraw-Hill Companies.