In our fervent desire to "do more with less" and to give 14-year-olds the right to go to college early -- we have made some horrific mistakes. We have given those youngsters their own computers, Chromebooks in one instance/Ipads in another; and told them that this "device" will make them better students. Then, to limit their "game-playing," shopping, and other instincts -- we have slapped serious controls on these devices. These same students are taking "college classes" but they cannot use their Chromebooks/Ipads to communicate with their instructors -- even to submit assignments, give teachers notice of their absences, etc.
These devices are then like "class workbooks" rather than true computer devices. Using the Internet or the World Wide Web is restricted in multiple ways. So, the upshot is these young students have "devices" that can't truly be used -- and are no more technological than a "blackboard and chalk" (current technology of that would be a "whiteboard and dry erase markers").
This is "progressive education" in Georgia -- in the "best schools" in Georgia.
In addition these students are put in 8-week classes (called min-mesters), to earn full college credit for a course, in courses that are no meant to be mini-mesters (like my Public Speaking course) -- and then are asked to "learn" or even to "excel" in this environment. The students persist -- but very, very few of them excel. They may earn a decent grade -- (a "B" say) -- where in a normal 15 class they could easily earn an "A" because they could then get the reading done, prepare for their projects, and practice their "public speaking skills."
Once again we have cheated the students from having a good educational experience, and cursed them with negative feedback when the majority of the "fault" is with the un-educational system.
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