Kevin Schofield

This is a very interesting editorial piece discussing the classic "Physics for poets" classes and whether we should banish them schools.I thought that the three criteria for a good non-majors science class, as stated by the author were thought provoking:1. Have a very narrow topic.2. The…

CNNMoney has put out a feature on the best jobs in America, including a ranking.The #1 job: software engineer.The #2 job: college professor.Both are relevant to this forum.Discuss.

I've spent the last several days travelling with my daughters and their school choir to Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. on a performance tour.I came away with two big thoughts that really dominated my experience. The first, which will come as no surprise, is that it's mentally and physically…

The main 10 feature story today highlights Forest Ridge School in Bellevue, Washington, which requires all students to have a laptop. Starting this year, they've gone with tablet PCs as the standard model. Cool video, and interesting discussion. Both my daughters attend Forest Ridge School. It's…

Here’s a neat experiment: a classroom with standing desks, and where students are encouraged to be active. There are some vague similarities to Montessori preschool activities, which encourage activity and immersion. The teaching staff doesn’t feel that they have enough data to evaluate the…

Some days the news converges. Yesterday the New York Times reported that because of the No Child Left Behind law, many schools are cutting back on other subjects (including science) to spend more time on math and reading – particularly with disadvantaged kids. Simultaneously yesterday, the Seattle…

Here’s an interesting development: Florida is drafting legislation that would require all high-school freshmen in the state to declare a major. The hope is that this will help them to focus their class schedule better in support of their career plans. There are many criticisms of this: that it would…

Here’s an interesting story: a University of Memphis law school professor has banned laptops from her classroom, saying that they encourage students to try to transcribe every word, inhibit thinking and analyzing, and interfere with eye contact. The students are very upset, and are circulating a…

In the State of the Union Address, there was much hoopla about the President's new American Competitiveness Initiative, and his desire to improve math and science education in the United States. Sadly, the truth is more complex. While the White House's proposed budget increases funding for basic…

Before we go any further with this blog, I should clarify that the topic is “Education” broadly. Not just computer science education, and not just technology and education. The field is wide open. Back in my college days, when I wasn't busy taking computer science classes, I was taking education…