Some Mexican Classrooms Adopt Hi-Tech Teaching

An anonymous reader writes "It what is believed to be the most ambitious project of its kind in the world. In a program called Enciclomedia, giant electronic screens have been attached to the walls of about 165,000 Mexican classrooms. Some five million 10 & 11 year-olds now receive all their education through these screens. 'From maths to music, from geography to geometry, black and white boards have given way to electronic screens. During a biology lesson we watch as pupil after pupil comes to the screen to piece together the human body... electronically. One boy taps his finger on the screen and brings up the human heart. He then slides his finger across the screen, taking the heart with him and places it where he thinks it belongs on the body located on the other side of the screen.'"

Teachers

[bigwavejas]

I know it's a slippery slope, but really this technology might make teachers a thing of the past. Looking back on my high school years, the classes I learned more than any others were the classes that had great teachers. Teachers who inspired and were excited about their subject... it was contagious. The human spirit can't be replaced by a machine, but it certainly can be complemented.

Learning without work

[blitz487]

Teachers love these gadgets because it relieves them from having to make an effort to teach. Students love them because it relieves them from having to make an effort to learn.

But learning requires work and effort. There's no shortcut.

Re:Teachers

[MontyApollo]

I don't think it will ever replace teachers, but I could see where it would be a good attention getter and help out the mediocre teachers. Even if they can't inspire the students, maybe all the onscreen stuff will keep the students interested.

I do think this is a lot better idea than the whole "internet access in every classroom" craze. This system can actually supplement what the teacher is doing up in front of the class, whereas the internet is more of an outside of class research activity.

Posting without work

[Anonymous Coward]

"Teachers love these gadgets because it relieves them from having to make an effort to teach."

RL nonanecdotal examples please.

"Students love them because it relieves them from having to make an effort to learn."

You don't need technology for that.

"But learning requires work and effort. There's no shortcut."

So far no one here has proven that this technology is indeed a "shortcut". More precisely this is an alternative, or a suppliment. The only ones preaching "shortcut" are the usual cliche of cynics, who would never be accused of thinking outside the box.

Re:Good for mexico

[Anonymous Coward]

The vast majority are totally illiterate peasants whose main ambition in life is to come to the US to pick fruit for $.05/hour and live 30 to an apartment.

Nice stereotype, it's like saying most Americans are arrogant fat-asses who only care about making money.
The ambition of most Mexicans is the same as most Americans, work hard to provide their family & kids with better opportunities. For many it means sacrificing whatever dreams they had to pick fruit and deal with uncomfortable living conditions so they can send money back home.