Dick and Jane.
I remember them all too well. My primary school teacher made us focus on this drivel. I have a learning disorder: impatience. “See Spot run” held my attention for a few minutes. Then I went back to cutting up. I was bored silly. I almost flunked second grade.
My mother bought me Classics Illustrated comic books. Jack London, Edgar Allan Poe, Richard Henry Dana, Robert Louis Stevenson, Alexandre Dumas, Sir Walter Scott, Daniel Defoe, James Fennimore Cooper, Jules Verne, and H.G. Wells became my teachers. And in time I became an avid reader.
Kathy Sierra’s wonderful blog Creating Passionate Users reminded me of the dangers of dumbing things down in a wonderful article entitled When Ease of Use Goes Wrong. Check this out:
How many times have you seen instructional designers and workshop leaders talk condescendingly?
The best reality is reality, warts and all, rather than an oversimplified story version or simulation. Don’t let the ease-of-use police strip away the meaning. It’s better to live and learn in the real world.
P.S. Thanks to my pal Stan Malcolm for pointing out a broken link above. That’s web etiquette I wish we’d see more of.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Instructional design is based on our public education system and military training. Good grief.
Our son is bored, bored, bored with school. He says that his usual day starts by learning one (almost) new thing and then spending the rest of the day flogging it to death, in minute chunks. “But I already figured it out”, or the one I like best, “My Dad already explained that to me”
My expectations for public education are quite low, but the system still fails to meet them. I only ask one thing now – please don’t beat the joy of learning out of our children.
signed:
Frustrated in Atlantic Canada.
I’m going through that as well with my kids at a “private” school no less…AARRGh! Its killin’ me!
One point though…living and learning in the real world is good. But what if failing in the real world costs a million dollars. AND if the simulation alternatives are “good enough?” I know you are referring to public education, and I agree. But I also like to point out that simulated MUVEs can offer a lot.
Cheers!