The educational benefit of a high-capacity network is less than clear. The image of “Johnny” calling up full-motion video material along with a classroom or textual discussion of a major historical event is quite attractive; but it is difficult to see what this would add to Johnny’s understanding of the Treaty of Rome. Much of this function can be – and already is – handled through relatively low-tech equipment, such as VCRs.
Predictor: Botein, Michael
Prediction, in context:In a 1993 paper in reaction to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s proposed goals, New York Law School Professor Michael Botein writes:”The educational benefit of a high-capacity network is less than clear. The image of ‘Johnny’ calling up full-motion video material along with a classroom or textual discussion of a major historical event is quite attractive; but it is difficult to see what this would add to Johnny’s understanding of the Treaty of Rome. Much of this function can be – and already is – handled through relatively low-tech equipment, such as VCRs. Finally, U.S. students’ most glaring deficiencies are in their verbal and math skills; these are not likely candidates for a technological fix, other than fairly simple, inexpensive, stand-alone interactive computer programs. U.S. schools have experimented with ‘distance education’ for more than a decade; the conclusion generally seems to be that merely watching a class – even with a master teacher – has very little value unless the student can interact with the instructor.”
Biography:Michael Botein was founding director of the Communications Media Center at New York University Law School. His expertise in international telecommunications law, the regulation of cable television and new technologies made him a valuable consultant to the FCC and the Administrative Conference of the United States. He wrote “International Telecommunications in the United States” (1987) and “Cases and Materials on Regulation of the Electronic Mass Media” (2002). (Legislator/Politician/Lawyer.)
Date of prediction: January 1, 1993
Topic of prediction: Getting, Sharing Information
Subtopic: E-learning
Name of publication: Some Unanswered (and Unasked) Questions About U.S. 'Electronic Superhighways'
Title, headline, chapter name: A Few Simple Questions, with Few Good Answers
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http;//web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/document?-m=1d42675a009942cca236934d0ad13920...
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Anderson, Janna Quitney