The Way of Progress

"I was taught that the way of progress is neither swift nor easy." -Madame Marie Curie

Patrick Woessner began an interesting Twitter discussion the other day by mentioning that he was helping his son study for a quiz about the Amish. He commented

I spend much of a snow day helping 8 year old study facts about Amish culture...interesting but relevant to him how? Lots of time spent helping [son] study for quiz on the Amish...I'm about ready to toss the computer

When I pointed out the irony of using a computer to study a group famous for their policy of rejecting all labor saving technologies, he responded

Not to worry...they were old fashioned drill and kill worksheets

This exchange started me wondering why his son was studying this particular topic: as part of a unit on world religions; for a discussion of attitudes towards technology; in relation to local history? "Drill and kill worksheets" don't sound like inquiry-based research.

Is it possible that one source of digital inequity in our educational system is an Amish-style attitude towards technology and change? Just a thought.


"Change does not necessarily assure progress, but progress implacably requires change. Education is essential to change, for education creates both new wants and the ability to satisfy them." -Henry S. Commager



"Out of time" by Sleestak66