ERIC ED422946: Hawaii's Electronic School Project: A Cure or Another Creation of the God of Technology?

13 Pages·1997·0.3 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
ED 422 946
IR 057 104
AUTHOR
Wiley-Patton, Sonja
TITLE
Hawaii's Electronic School Project: A Cure or Another
Creation of the God of Technology?
PUB DATE
1997-00-00
NOTE
12p.; In: Proceedings of the International Academy for
Information Management Annual Conference (12th, Atlanta, GA,
December 12-14, 1997); see IR 057 067.
PUB TYPE
Reports Descriptive (141)
Speeches/Meeting Papers (150)
EDRS PRICE
MF01/PC01 Plus Postage.
DESCRIPTORS
Academic Achievement; Case Studies; Computer Uses in
Education; Educational Change; Educational Development;
*Educational Improvement; Elementary Secondary Education;
*Information Technology; Instructional Innovation; Pilot
Projects; Standardized Tests; *State Programs; Technological
Advancement; *Telecommunications
IDENTIFIERS
Connectivity; *Hawaii; *Technology Integration
ABSTRACT
This paper presents a qualitative description of one of
Hawaii's educational reform projects: the Electronic School Pilot Project, an
innovative method of integrating advanced telecommunications technology into
the classroom as a proposed cure for statewide inadequate or low performance
on national standard exams (e.g., ACT and SAT) .
The telecommunication
evolution and the technology processes involved with the project are
explored. This presentation triangulates education, technology, and policy to
introduce an integrated view of the pilot program. A brief literature review
conveys support and opposition related to the subject of telecommunications
technology in the classroom. Conclusions and recommendations reveal the
structure, definition, technological procedures, and concerns of the
Electronic School Pilot Project. (Contains 20 endnotes and approximately 15
references.)
(AEF)
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Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made
from the original document.
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HAWAII'S ELECTRONIC SCHOOL PROJECT:
A CURE OR ANOTHER CREATION OF THE GOD OF
TECHNOLOGY?
U S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
"PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS
Offide of Educational Research and Irnprovement
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION
MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY
CENtER (ERIC)
0 This document has been reproduced as
Case
T .
received from the person or organization
originating it.
Sonja Wiley-Patton
O Minor changes have been made to
improve reproduction quality.
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Points of view or opinions stated in this
TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
document do not necessarily represent
INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)."
official OERI position or policy.
Hawaii's Department of Education has been plagued with a common but curable disease of inadequate
or
"low performance" on national standard exams (e.g., ACT and SAT). Evidence of this disorder
appears on
the front page of the Honolulu Advertiser (12 111196). The main headline reads, 'Student Achievement
Score Falls." The article stresses that Hawaii's general reading and math scores have declined. This type
of declivity is an epidemic that has spread throughout many of America's public schools. The state of
Hawaii is not benign to this national cancer. This presentation is a qualitative description of
one of
Hawaii's educational reform projects: The Electronic School Pilot program. This
case study identifies
Hawaii's innovative method of integrating advanced telecommunications technology into the classroom
as
a proposed cure.
The purpose of this paper is to explore the telecommunication evolution and the technology
processes
involved with Hawaii's Electronic School Pilot Project.
This presentation triangulates education,
technology and policy to introduce an integrated view of the pilot program. A brief literature review
conveys
support and opposition related to the subject of telecommunication's technology in the classroom;
conclusion and recommendations reveal the structure, definition, technological procedures and
concerns of
the Electronic School pilot project.
INTRODUCTION
Despite the answer to this debate, it is obvious
that a change is in order. Like many other public
"Too much apparatus, like too much bureaucracy,
school districts across the nation, Hawaii is
only inhibits the natural flow [of teaching and
realizing that education is a life-long process.
learning]." - Theodore Roszale
Education is not a set time or place and all
educational project designs and curricular
"I am not arguing against using computers in
development must place the student at the center
school. I am arguing against our sleepwalking
and not the peripheral.
Hawaii's Office of
attitudes toward it, against allowing it to distract
Information and Telecommunication Services,
us from more important things, against making a
(GITS) has adopted Howard Gardner's concept of
Neil Postman'
In a federal grant
god of it."
"Multiple Intelligence".
proposal prepared by OITS the writers state that
The state of Hawaii is currently under an
teachers must pay attention to the varying
educational restructuring program focusing on
learning styles and the multiple intelligence
decentralization. Over the past decade there has
manifest in the students they are teaching.
been a perpetual shortage of secondary school
Schools throughout the country have developed
teachers in Hawaii. The (DOE) Department of
plans and projects to help cure their educational
the blame towards the
Education points
ailments. Some school systems have used such
University of Hawaii, stating that University's
methods as involving corporations in their overall
College of Education is not producing well-
operations. Others have turned the educational
educated and qualified teachers. The university
reform over to community-based management
claims that Hawaii's secondary students enter
(e.g., local businesses, volunteers and support
the university system ill-prepared.
And some have even taken their
groups).
Proceedings of the 12th Annual Conference of the International Academy for Information Management
299
2
concerns to the federal government.' Regardless
learning style has dictated the creation of Sesame
of the various methods for improvement by
Street-like programming?
different school districts the one remedy most
Regardless of the answer to the previous
have in common is incorporating information and
of the matter is
telecommunication into the classroom; this
the
questions,
fact
our
educational dilemma demands that new models
equates to an antibiotic injection of technology.
of teaching and learning be developed.
This
shift and an expansion in the
means a
The Challenge Grant proposal developed by
OITS, suggests that the world
Neil Postman
educational delivery systems.
rapidly
is
(1996), suggests that society no longer has
changing, and the only constant that we as
sufficient narratives to support our traditional
citizens of the world can count on is change itself.
educational models. He believes that we have
As the world changes, so do people and the needs
moved far beyond the paradigm that held schools
of people. Perhaps Ochange' is a cause and effect
to be places where we trained students to become
which contributes to the learning deficit of today's
citizens for an American democracy.
youth.
Groennings (1992), asserts that corporations
Diane Ravitch (1992), Assistant Secretary for
Educational Research and Improvement and
have the biggest stake in the success or failure of
of the
Counselor. to the
Secretary education in the United States. He reasons that
U.S.
Department of Education states, "Our kids
we need educated people to both produce and
consume our products.
"Corporations like
usually perform at a level somewhere between
the middk and the bottom on international
American Express Company do not earn any
money from poor or uneducated people, nor do
assessments." Ratvich contends that our society
needs a new generation of schools to help the new
thousands of other U.S.-based corporations" (15).
generations of students reach higher learning
In the Conference Board's Eighth Annual
standards.
Business/Education Conference Report (1992), it
"Agriculture is no longer the primary
was determined that corporate America pays
year
per
approximately
billion
occupation; most mothers are in the work
for
$20
The report
insufficiently educated workers.
forcerather than at home during the day;
students now learn in very different
shows that a large portion of this money is for
through
television,
such as bilingual training, but a substantial amount goes
ways,,
for remedial education. Sven Groennings says,
computers and other visual media; society
"In other words, learning that should have
is facing numerous challenges unknown a
generation ago; and everybody needs a
occurred elsewhere" (15).
good education today, not just the 50 or
60 percent of students who are college-
Speakers from many sectors - business, education
that
and government
corporate
agreed
boundi or headed for skilled jobs."(17).4
involvement is crucial to the success of school
It is obvious that today's youngsters do not learn
reform in the United States. The report confirms
at the same pace or in the same manner as did
that such involvement carries expense, however,
their parents or grandparents.
The mere
the cost of a poorly educated society is higher
still.'
development, of advanced electronic technology
has defined the students of the 20th century as
Kristine Woodall labels
LITERATURE REVIEW
technologically unique.
today's youth as the "Sesame Street Generation."
Woodall contends that the introduction of
Americans have traditionally placed great faith
in the power of technology to solve the myriad of
television to children of this era has fostered their
desire to be entertained rather than educated. Is
social, economic, and political problems which
it the creation of Sesame Street and similar
Often in our enthusiasm for
have faced us.
technological benefits, however, we failed to
programming that has demanded that teachers
anticipate the social and environmental side
resort to "Edu-tainment" rather than traditional
of technological
innovation.
lectures? Or can it be that the evolution of man's
effects
Joe
Kincheloe'
Proceedings of the 12'h Annual Conference of the International Academy for Information Management
300
Hawaii has clearly defined its basic needs for
far from asinine to speak of the god of technology
These needs include
educational reform.
- in the sense that people believe technology
works, that they rely on it, that it makes
accommodating students' cognitive learning
styles. The need to educate all students including
promises, that they are bereft when denied access
those who are under challenged and at-risk. The
to it, that they are delighted when they are in its
presence, that for most people it works in
need to conform to the recent budget cuts and
resource shortfall (e.g., facilities, teachers, and
.mysterious ways, that they condemn people who
programs). The DOE must maximize outcomes,
speak against it, that they stand in awe of it, and
ensure timely and effective delivery of curricula
that in the born-again mode, they will alter their
and meet the needs of all learners -- all ages,
lifestyles, their schedules, their habits and their
subcultures and those
geographic settings,
relationships to accommodate it.
If this be not a
academically at risk.
form of religious belief, what is? (38).
The Electronic School proposes to support this
He continues this thought by stating that in all
educational reform in Hawaii by increasing
strands of American cultural life, one can find
access to learning technologies that enhance
many examples of technological adoration.
educational opportunities for students and
Postman suggests that one cannot find more
parents at more convenient times and more
enthusiasm for the god of technology than among
The bottom line is this
accessible places.
educators.
"In fact," he states, "There are those,
initiative hopes to provide greater economic
like Lewis Perelman, who argue (for example, in
opportunity.
his book School's Out) that modern information
technologies have rendered schools entirely
is now much more
since there
Neil Postman asserts in his book, The End of
irrelevant,
Education (1995), "There was a time when
information available outside the classroom than
educators became famous for providing reasons
inside" (38).
for learning; now they become famous for
Dr. Diane Ravitch, former Assistant U.S.
inventing
Perhaps
Postman's
method."
a
accusation warrants some merit, however the
Secretary of Education, envisions, the challenge
that technology presents to the tradition that
introduction of the Internet into the classroom as
a mode of learning must at least be tried and
"children" (and adults) should be educated in a
tested before condemned for being a method
specific place, for a certain number of hours, and
rather than reason.
It must also prove itself
a certain number of days during the week and
In other words, that children should be
worthy before being praised and uplifted to Ogod-
year.
like' status.
educated in school. Imagining the possibilities of
an information superhighway offering perhaps a
Postman compares the technology god (he uses a
thousand channels, Dr. Ravitch assures us that:
small g) to religion or as he labels it narratives.
In the new world of pedagogical plenty, children
He believes that in order for a student to learn,
and adults will be able to dial up a program on
their home television to learn whatever they
he/she must have a reason or a purpose to learn.
Much like a reason or a purpose that a religion
want to know, at their own convenience. If Little
and its deity gives to a person's life. In summary,
Eva cannot sleep, she can learn algebra instead.
he contends that for some people to live without a
At her home-learning station, she will tune into a
religion or narratives, life has no meaning.
In
series of interesting problems that are presented
comparing education to narratives, Postman
in an medium, much like video games... Young
John may decide that he wants to learn the
cautions that without meaning, learning has no
purpose and schools are houses of detention
history of modern Japan, which he can do by
rather than attention.
It is safe to assume that
dialing up the greatest authorities and teachers
all religions have a belief system.
on the subject, who will not only use dazzling
Those
graphs and illustrations, but will narrate a
associated particular religions are known as
historical video that excites his curiosity and
"believers of that system.
imagination.8
that
Postman
important
declares
(1995)
distinctions are made among the different
Postman insists that Ravitch's point of view is a
He proclaims that her future
bit unrealistic.
meanings of "belief': but at some point it becomes
Proceedings of the 12th Annual Conference of the International Academy for Information Management
301
4
narrative of Little Eva doing algebra instead of
would disagree with McIntosh's statement that
going to the movies because she can't sleep is all
regardless of economic status, all youngsters
bit ridiculous. He argues, ".
. what Ravitch is
today know how to use the technology that is
.
talking about is not new technology but a new
available today.
Gibbons' book is centered
species of child" (39).
He agrees that new
around an international philosophy regarding
technologies do make new kinds of people, but
a
policy, but can be applied to the disparity in our
20th century child will more than likely play
a
country on a local and national level.
Gibbons
video game, watch a movie or phone a friend if
characterizes the use of computers in this
he/she is bored or insomniac.
manner: "But what can be said about the
computer? While it has simplified things at one
Envisioning the imagined or futuristic world one
it has complicated them at another.
level,
may ponder its determinism. The technology is
Advanced computer technology now is the sacred
here or will be: we must use it because t is there;
preserve of rich countries [and rich people within
we will become the kind of people the technology
those countries] and reflects the disturbing gap in
requires us to be; and, whether we like it or not,
riches, technology and information resources at
we will remake our institutions to accommodate
all levels" (10).
He believes that while rapid
the technology. "All of this must happen because
achievements information technology takes place,
it is good for us, but in any case, we have no
discontent grows between the rich and the poor.
choice," Postman proclaims (40). He claims that
This increases the animosity and inequity among
this point of view is present in nearly
every
the "haves" and "have nots".
statement about the future relation of learning to
". as in Ravitch's scenario, there is
technology.
Postman would possibly concur with Gibbons in
always a cheery, gee-whiz tone to the prophecies,"
rejecting the ideas presented in the previous
he warns.
In reference to cheerleading for
scenarios.
Postman believes that Ravitch and
technology in learning the following is a prophecy
McIntosh present examples of a technological
produced by the National Academy of Sciences,
solutions to psychological problem. Alan Kay of
written by Hugh McIntosh.
Apple Computer, insists that any problems the
schools cannot solve without computers, they
School for children of the Information Age will be
cannot solve with them. Although an activist for
vastly different than it was for Mom and Dad.
computer technology in schools, Kay, like
Gibbons (1985) and Postman (1995) believes that
Interested in biology? Design your own, life
the god of Technology may be a mixed blessing.
forms with computer simulation.
"It is often asserted that new technologies will
equalize learning opportunities for the rich and
trouble with a science project?
Having
poor. It is devoutly to be wished, but I doubt it.
Teleconference about it with a research
In the first place, it is generally understood by
scientist.
those who have studied the history of technology
Bored with the real world? Go into a virtual
that technological changes always produce
physics lab and rewrite the laws of gravity.
winners and losers -- which is to say, the benefits
These are the kinds of hands-on learning
of new technologies are not distributed equally
experiences schools could be providing right
among the population. There are many reasons
The technologies that make them
now.
for this, among them economic differences" (47).
possible are already here, and today's
Postman declares that it would be astonishing if
youngsters, regardless of economic status,
computer technology equalized all learning
know how to use them. They spend hours
opportunities. Whether technology will become
with them every week- not in the classroom,
the great socio-economic and cultural equalizer
or
but in their own homes and in video game
not, it is still not the most essential element for
centers at every shopping mall.9
healing all educational afflictions.
Peter Krass suggests in an Information Week
Apparently, Mr. McIntosh has not read Arnold
(October 21, 1996) article titled, Internet? How
Gibbons'
Ideology and
Information,
book,
About A Pencil?, that President Bill Clinton and
Communication (1985).
Gibbons contends that
Vice President Al Gore have not made the grade
not everyone is privy to advanced technology. He
with public schools despite their good intentions.
302
Proceedings of the 12" Annual Conference of the International Academy for Information Management
5
Krass asserts that Clinton's reelection platform
disconnect their children's link to cyberspace
featured grand goals of wiring every public school
before their children become disconnected with
in the nation to the Internet. This can be proven
the real world.
She believes that despite the
a factual assertion, when one investigates the
wonderful advantages the Internet offers us,
parents and teachers must remember the
NetDay96 proclamation created by the President
and Vice President Gore.'
greatest present we can give a child is our
Krass claims that
in
their
presence
Clinton's rhetoric made for a great political sound
their
including
space,
bite, but there are deep rooted reasons why
"cyberspace".
getting an Internet connection is not the top
priority for many of the nation's schools. He uses
Steven Miller (1996) views the Internet as an
the example of the troubled public schools in
advantage for parents and children of single
According to a just-released
Brooklyn, N.Y.
parent homes.
He contends that most single
survey of 215 principals in the borough, they've
parents work outside the home. He believes the
use of email, bulletin boards and on-line
got more immediate needs on their minds:
conferences will allow people to participate in
Plumbing that is poor or failing, reported by
public life at times and locations that fit within
nearly one-third of the principals.
their schedule (329). Ideally, this will allow the
parent to spend more quality time with the child,
Windows in poor condition, cited by more
whether it be cooking, playing, talking or doing
than half the schools.
At one school, the
homework assignments together via the net.
panes are falling out.
Playgrounds that are unacceptable, reported
As I surfed the WEB for research material I came
by nearly two-thirds of the schools.
One
across a website called Exploring Technology and
reported a large hole with a barricade around
School Reform (1996), the article entitled "Trends
it.
in Education" written by Andy Carvin gave a
Roofs that need repair, cited by more than
positive analysis for the use of computers in the
classroom." Carvin writes that technology plays
40% lack of space: Nearly half the principals
a major role in the reformation of schools.
say classes are overcrowded. So what will it
be for the next generation: windows or
Technology reduces professional pressures on
teachers and increases the efficiency of student
Windows?" Krass asks.
Carvin insists that from a
comprehension.
structural viewpoint computer networking is
In a recent article in the Honolulu Advertiser",
creating a professional bond between teachers as
Emma Pavich expressed a different but yet
well as administrators never seen before in the
another fear of this thing called advanced
history
education:
of
Traditionally,
every
information technology. Pavich was amazed that
classroom is an island unto itself, with the
the teacher in her Internet training class
teacher instructing, assessing and remediating
informed her that with internet technology, very
children with limited contact with other teachers,
soon students would be able to learn everything
even within the same school. Networking allows
they need at home. "How would children learn to
teachers to exchange lesson plans and advice and
make friends and be friends? How would they
debate instructional methodologies with peers
learn to talk and play?" she pondered. Weeks
around the globe at the touch of a keyboard.
later Pavich noticed her own students making
. .
.
Internet has
the
created
a
electronically
dates and sharing intimate thoughts via the
professional fraternity between educators (3).
Internet. She was quite disturbed by the notion
that students who had not yet met anyone they
that
Carvin
an
contends
computers are
wanted to date in real life would be eager to find
invaluable tool for providing active collaborative
Mr. or Ms. Right over the computer screen. This
learning and assessment. He claims that word-
social issue and others are what have some
processing programs allow students to become
parents concerned about internet technology in
independent publishers of their own ideas and
the classroom. Pavich claims that children are
opinions and
email provides opportunities for
becoming lost in this "Electronic Community"
"peer review" and group editing.
He suggests
and false world where friendship and intimacy
that multimedia packages offer true inquiry-
are built on anonymity. Pavich urges parents to
based learning, where students must construct
Proceedings of the 12'h Annual Conference of the International Academy for Information Management
303
6
early, via the Internet.
Mooradian had the
and demonstrate solutions to a variety of in-class
assistance of her husband, Vice President of
projects. "This is not to suggest that computers
SETS and his company, to assist with the
are used in reform to replace the role of the
that would be both
realistically
teacher,
technical writing and the design of the logo for
undesirable and impractical," Carvin insists.
the proposal. The proposal was strengthened by
Instead he says the computer must be recognized
letters of financial support and commitment from
as an effective teaching tool which assists the
local businesses and community organizations
educator (3). Despite the criticism of some of the
like MHPCC, GTE Hawaiian Tel, Oceanic Cable,
literature presented, Hawaii has proposed its
the HERN project and the University of Hawaii.
own technological solution to school reform. The
The award winning proposal was drafted, revised
Office of Information and Telecommunication
and completed within six months.
Mooradian
Services, (OITS) within the Department of
believes this could not have been accomplished
Education, has spear-headed a plan that
without the dedication and collaboration of all of
garnished them a $4.7 million Challenge Grant
the partners of the project.
from the federal government.
The major partners and contributors
are
CASE STUDY
(MHPCC), Maui High Performance Computing
Center and Tech Corps Hawaii, the Department
of Education, a 155 member consortium of
Hawaii wants its students to become Hi-
Tech, so that the world will look to
educators, business people and legislators,
Hawaii as center for technology in the
notably Senator Carol Fukunaga's office.
Pacific, rather than just a recreational
The Technical Set-up:
resource'. - Marsha Mooradian
Comprehensive connectivity is the key to much of
The five-year Electronic School program was
the success of the Electronic School.
Oceanic
designed to, meet the challenges and changes
Cable in Hawaii is committed to contributing
inherent in the necessary reform in our
network connectivity for approximately 100
educational system. In a personal interview with
schools. This translates to a contribution of over
I was introduced to the
Marsha Mooradian,"
$6.7 million over the five year period.
GTE
multi-dimensional program of the Electronic
Hawaiian Telephone Company is offering a
School. "Our goal is not to try to eliminate the
$2,000 credit to each school that connects to the
Internet via their 56K lines.
Maui High
traditional model of education. We are proposing
a third dimension to an existing two dimensional
Performance Computing Center (MHPCC) is
curricula" declares Mooradian, CO-chair of Tech
providing Internet connectivity for all Hawaii's
Corps Hawaii.'4 "The existing classroom contains
State Department of Education Schools. There is
a text book and a teacher. the Electronic School
no need for an outside Internet service such as,
will add' another element by introducing the
LavaNet, AlohaNet, CompuServe or AOL. This
internet and other communication systems."
equates to a savings of more than $2 million over
Mrs. Mooradian believes that this new electronic
five years.
This collaboration of local business
and local school districts is the epitome of
model will' transform the traditional school model
into a virtual learning center. It will require that
successful educational reform tactics.
the students, become more independent learners.
"Instead of giving them the information via
The Electronic
School has
also developed
partnerships with a number of software,
traditional textbooks, they will have to go and get
it for themselves," Mooradian emphasizes."
hardware and multimedia developers who will
assist in creating marketable products. One of
Hawaii is one of 24 school districts in 16 states
the software products that Allen Cole, Advance
receiving "Challenge Grants for Technology in
Technology Research (ATR)16 director and CO-
Education" from the U. S. Department of
creator of on-line courses for the program, boasts
Marsha Mooradian, who has a
Education.
about is Tango. Tango is a FileMaker program
background in education was one of twelve
that runs on the Macintosh systems. It is known
writers of the grant proposal. Mooradian says
as a common-gateway interface.
Tango for
that Hawaii was at an advantage because they
FileMaker is a rapid application development tool
saw the original announcement about the grant
that allows Web developers to easily integrate
Proceedings of the 12'h Annual Conference of the International Academy for Information Management
304
File Maker Pro databases to the Web.
the items within the "Dynamic View" circle, for
The
product was chosen by Cole because all of the
problematization,
example,
setting,
goal
schools involved in the pilot program use
legislation, implementation and so on. The
When asked why
Macintosh hardware.
overlapping has occurred in this project because
Macintosh has a monopoly on Hawaii's DOE;
the policy players are diverse members of many of
Cole responded by saying that Macintosh is "user
the groups mentioned in the "Static View", for
friendly hardware". "Mac's excel in innovation,
example the DOE-state, MHPCC-commercial,
most schools across the nation use them and I
Tech Corps Hawaii-community, Consortium
believe we get a great deal on the price," Cole
members-public and so on.
For the purpose of
laughed. One of Cole's many jobs is to maintain
this paper the definition of Dynamic pertains to
the Web server for the program. That server is a
energetic: relating to physical force producing
Web Star system which gets about 850 hits per
The dynamic portion of this policy
motion.
day and ironically is a IBM.
Other technical
diagram permeates the structure and generates
support members are Electronic Image Inc.,
change and advancement. The definition of Static
Rising Wave, SeaSeer, EKV Productions, Inc.
means
acting
mere weight
without
by
and KITV Channel 4 Television. These supports
motion:relating to bodies or forces at rest or in
will assist the pilot project in development and
equilibrium;not moving not acting. Needless to
say, the Electronic School would not be in
packaging.
progress if the key players adapted only the static
Following are the results of effective
Marsha Mooradian insists that this program will
view.
be a success because of the strong supportive
community and commercial collaboration.
physical as well as people infrastructure in place.
FIGURE 1
In the area of curriculum development several
Hawaii's Electronic School
groups have and will continue to provide
Policy Structures:
Policy Players
Policy Processes:
guidance and expertise. Throughout the project,
Static View
Dynamic View
Electronic courses will be available to Hawaii
public school students as well as students in the
COMMERCIAL
Problanatic
PROVIDERS-
Chicago Systemic Initiative, which will serve as a
DOE, GTE, N=MHPP
Goal Setting
STATE, PUBLIC,
& Oceanic Cable
Priaitazation
field site for eschool curriculum. The Western
COMMUNITY
USERS-Students,
Resource
Ownership
Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) will
Teachers & Parents
Allocation
Management
REGULATORS-
assist in developing criteria for accreditation by
Legitimation
Financing
DOE, CIVIC GROUPS
Legislation
the International Council of School Accreditation
Tech Caps Hawaii
Regulation
Implementation
ADVISORS
Center
The
Commissions
for
Programming
(IC SAC).
Adjuication
Hem Project, Hence,
Access
Excellence in Education will also help with
Evaluation
Consortium
Participation
Revision
members
developing this criteria as well as collaborate
with the Electronic School on quality course
STRUCTURATION
content and dissemination of courses across the
Pilot Project Policy Formation
Nation and internationally.
The current courses available on-line are:
The diagram presented on page 11 has been
modified from lecture materials of Dr. Majid
Shakespeare On-Line -1/2 credit, Language Arts
Tehranian (1992), Communication professor at
Elective. This course is designed to offer a survey
the University of Hawaii. The overlapping of the
of the dramatic works of William Shakespeare,
circles indicates an intertwining of relationships
including discussion about the background of the
time period, the dramatic form, the theatrics
involving the key players in the process of this
tradition, and the significant themes covered.
telecommunication policy discourse. The static
view of the policy structure is positively affected
This course is taught by Aaron Mersberg, whom I
by the policy processes of the dynamic view. The
had the pleasure to meet. His interactive teaching
style has made this one of the more popular
continuous discourse among the policy players
within this structuration has produced the
courses in the program. Cole took a view of the
infrastructure of the Electronic School pilot
class grade sheet and surmised that all of Aaron's
students are highly motivated and participate
project.
achieved
This much
was
by
communication and negotiation regarding all of
quite actively in the class.
However, the same
International Academy for Information Management
Proceedings of the 12th Annual Conference of the
305
8
cannot be stated for the next class offered.
order to participate in the program.
Those
Advanced Placement United States History, -1/2
include viewing course during air time (TV with
This course is designed for
credit elective.
cable access required), access to computer and
students to earn high school and college credits
Internet in your study area, successful completion
using
the
simultaneously,
convenience
of
of course assignments and requirements, access
computer technology.
College credit will be
to a phone line during broadcast times, "video
awarded upon successful completion of the
release" and "parental consent" forms and finally
Advanced Placement Exam for AP US History.
compliance with the Acceptable Use Policy for
Debbie Anderson is the instructor of this course
DOE Internet Services, which is written by each
and for reasons unknown, the majority of her
Each school that participates in the
school.
program is required to have a School Site
students are not doing well. As a matter of fact,
on the very day that I interviewed Allen Cole, he This would be the
Coordinator (teacher).
was preparing letters to the parents' of students
computer literate technical person that could
who were failing this course.
support students with projects (Internet or
The wonderful
thing about this program being a pilot project is
creative dramatics), help students as needed
that there is an "out" for students who do not
equipment,
(access of
resources,
provide
excel in this electronic style of learning. These
encouragement to students and file permission
students are offered the opportunity, even at late
forms.
Hawaii's Education & Research Network
dates in the semester to drop a course with no
(BERN) has agreed to train teachers and staff to
penalties rather than scar their permanent
be able to perform these tasks.
David Lassner
Cole isn't sure if it is the
contends that HERN will offer moral and
academic, record.
instructor's. inability to transform her traditional
technical support by conducting workshops. The
teaching style to one that is compatible to the
DOE also has initiated a program called T3:
Internet or if it is the subject matter that makes
Technology & Telecommunications for Hawaii's
this class difficult to grasp. "Perhaps it is simply
This course is offered via the
Teachers."
that some people cannot learn adequately via the
Internet.
The program's goals are to prepare
Net," he asserts.
Cole agrees that extensive
DOE inservice teachers for leadership technology
human computer interaction research should be
positions in their schools, to infuse appropriate
taking place simultaneously to the development
technology and training into the curriculum and
and implementation of this pilot program. I have
to develop a network of people resources to
offered myself for that study. The other classes
provide assistance to schools.'
offered to date via the Electronic School are:
Geometry
credit,
Mathematics
Technical Problems
B
-1/2
The prerequisites are a C, in
Requirement.
Algebra IB and Geometry A or the consent of an
Allen Cole admits the pilot project has its share of
instructor and pre-screening interview and
technology problems. The first and far most is
testing. Other courses are Global Studies -1/2
the natural growing pains of creating and
credit Advanced Guidance -1/2 credit elective and
implementing
a
telecommunication-based
Entrepreneurship -1/2 credit elective.
This
learning program. He offered me an itemized list
It is an introduction to
course sounds fun.
of current problems: Not all of the schools are
entrepreneurship with a unique look at the
currently wired.
This takes manpower, money
relationship to the Hawaiian culture and values.
and strategic planning. Not everyone has the
Students will have an opportunity to take
technical knowledge to use the system. Basically,
"electronic field trips" to local businesses, meet
Cole claims not everyone currently connected is
entrepreneurs from the community and learn
computer literate. This creates slow "snails" pace
first-hand about marketing strategies, market
progress. "But this is why this is a pilot program,
competition in the marketplace,
research,
to work these things out and train people," he
organization of a business, etc
professes. There are not enough teachers to create
.
.
.
the on-line courses and some of those who do
The Office of Advanced Technology Research
create courses cannot adapt their teaching styles
snail mails registration forms as well as sends
for this media. Perhaps, this is one reason why
them via email to all of the participating schools
the AP US History courses is doing poorly.
in the districts. Students may respond via email
fax or snail mail.
There are requirements in
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Proceedings of the 12th Annual Conference of the International Academy for Information Management
Many of the On Site School Coordinators do not
encouraged, even excited about what I have seen.
truly understand the nature of their job.
The program is only one semester-old and has
Cole
I am eager to access the
great potential.
believes that the concept of the Electronic School
will eventually become like the ATM Card and
program's growth and future maturation. I have
the Versate ller machines. Many people did not
inquired about the assessment and evaluations
understand how to use the machines and were
processes currently in place. Marsha Mooradian
afraid to use them.
Now everyone and their
assured me that there are some assessments in
grandmothers have ready teller cards and access
place, such as WASC and ICSAC.
the machines frequently. So will be the case with
information technology he predicts. The program
Recommendations for assessments of the pilot
has not yet purchased the equipment or software
projects are:
for (IRA) Inter Relay Chat or real time video
This has prohibited their video
conferencing.
A longitudinal(HCI) study to examine the
conferencing via the Internet.
cognitive learning sytles of the students
Once the server
has been purchased there is another dilemma of
involved in the project. This study could also
hiring someone with the proper skills to set it up
compare cognitive learning styles and/or
and operate it.
Other common problems that
success rates of students not participating
projected were bandwidth,
faulty
Cole
or
with those who are participating
incompatible equipment at either end of the
An ethnographic case study or studies of
telecommunication process and the possibility of
particular students who are instructed in
a shortage of future storage space.
specific course in this project.
A human computer interaction (HCI) study
A suggestion to Mr. Cole's problem regarding not
involving cross tabulation. The study would
enough teachers to write curricula for on-line
be designed to
detect the information
classes is the utilization of the current on-line
or groups of
of individuals
processing
classes available at the University of Hawaii. A
students involved in the project..
Such
newly designed classes by Jan-Michelle Sawyer,
can be,
independent variables
gender,
Applied Organization Communication would be
culture, age, interests.
ideal for high school students to audit or to
participate without risk.
Another on-line
An exploratory human-computer interaction
discussion group that would possibly prove
study to determine the relationship between
fruitful for the pilot project would be the Capti-1
"micro-computer playfulness"z° and the End-
(NEH) pluralism listserve.
This would be
Information
Us ers
Ad optivene ss
of
enlightening for students taking U.S. History.
This study would involve
Technology.
Cole could solicit the help of graduate students
measuring the technology adaptability or
and professors to help create interactive and
acceptance of the Internet by the subjects
informative on-line courses. This would help to
(teachers and/or students) of the pilot project
create a much needed bond between the DOE and
and the effects of the electronic format upon
higher learning institutes that David Lassner
individuals involved.
spoke about.'
These recommendations are made to suggest
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
future research in the area of information
systems and education but most importantly to
Although there are some information technology
help evaluate a worthy program, the Electronic
complications surrounding the Electronic School
School.
project they are not enough to drench the
enthusiasm of the creators of this program.
My final recommendation is to encourage the
Marsha Mooradian wants Hawaii's students to
creators of the Electronic School project to
become HI-Tech, so that the world looks to
remember that computer technology in the
Hawaii as a center of advance information
classroom will not solve all of education's ills in
technology rather than just a recreational spot.
an instant. Please remember that the technology
As a one who is intrigued by information systems
should be used as a tool to complement
and its impact on the education industry, I am
traditional teaching methods and not as a
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