Accelerated learning (was RE: TOP 2 IQ Percentile Re:[extropy-chat]Seven cents an hour?)

[Herb Martin]

> >From your Web site:
> 
> "Accelerated MCSE in a Week
> Windows 2003 Seminars"
> 
> You apparently teach how to pass the MSCE exam, as opposed to how to
> actually be a sysadmin or a programmer, or an overall theory of
> computer science.  That kind of "low level".
> 

Appearances are not always what they seem; what
I actually do is teach people how to be MUCH 
better at designing solutions, implementing those
solutions, and troubleshooting them when someone
messes them up -- designing & administering systems.

We use the exams to encourage and even force our
students to pay attention and then to prove that
they have actually learned the basis of the system.

This isn't really a thread about me, but my students
recognize that they are not learning to just pass a
test but rather use their prior experience (we only
take network professionals) to rapidly become more
skilled with the products while also being able to
pass exams.

Most are quite astonished to discover that while they
may have arrived with the intention to 'just pass a
test' they are actually learning the equivalent of
6-10 weeks of outstanding training (by their normal
standards) in only 5 days.

> > He seriously intends an effort comparable to "a man on the moon
> > within 10 years" -- we really don't need to have the curriculum
> > change every 5-10 years if we build really great materials that
> > are compelling, funny, entertaining and clearly indicate the
> > required knowledge.
> 
> If only we could get the funding to implement such.  There are so many
> proposals for reforming education, all with their own data 
> proving they
> are the One True Way - and so little funding for education period, as
> people prefer to invest in shorter-term or more controllable payoffs.

Right.  This is the sense in which is proposal isn't
really serious because current politic reality is not 
going to allow it to be implemented.

We have enough trouble just requiring that schools
PROVE that students are learning by testing.

Were we to test students going into each grade and
then at the end, then PAY teachers more for successful
students (based on their baseline) AND we were to 
create exams that measure what we wish them to learn
the education system would transform within just a few
years.

Especially if any teach who could not perform using 
such objective measures was asked to find another
career after a few years of failure.

In a perfect world, teachers would be paid like 
rock or sports stars, but those who cannot teach 
would be ruthlessly CUT from the team.
--
Herb Martin


> > One of the fellows who taught me much of what I know about modeling
> > and teaching with these methods, has suggested building superior
> > curriculum materials using producers such as Steven Spielberg and
> > the be comedy writers and artists to produce truly compelling 
> > learning materials -- then hiring people who GENUINELY enjoy
> > hanging out with young people to mediate the classes and coach
> > them through the exercises.
> > 
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