by Jamie McKenzie with co-writer ChatGPT
(about author)
Back at the turn of the previous century it was common for boards of education to adopt values statements that heralded the importance of “the whole child,” but then a huge shift took place as so-called reformers joined together with No Child Left Behind to impose a much more narrow definition of educational purpose on the schools of the land. High stakes testing became the be-all and end-all of schooling.
Pink Floyd captured the essence of such mechanized, factory-style schooling with their song "Another brick in the wall" back in the 1980s.
The Best Schools organization has published a dramatic defense of recess in their article, "Recess in Americas Schools."
In some places, the manic search for higher test scores led to draconian measures like the elimination of recess and the cleansing of classroom book collections so that only those materials provided as part of the mandated learning programs were allowed. Attention to science and social studies dwindled, especially in low-scoring city schools where students had to endure double and triple doses of math and reading.
Sadly, all this sound and fury, as Shakespeare chided, amounted to nothing, a tale told by many idiots.
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) has shown negligible improvement during two decades of such test-driven hysteria.
How might we educate the whole child?
The following answer was generated by ChatGPT:
Educating the whole child involves focusing not only on academic knowledge but also on their physical, emotional, social, and cultural development. Here are some ways we can educate the whole child:
1. Provide a well-rounded curriculum: A well-rounded curriculum includes not only the core subjects like math, science, and language arts but also physical education, art, music, and social studies. This will ensure that children have exposure to a wide range of subjects and develop a variety of skills.
2. Emphasize social and emotional learning: Social and emotional learning (SEL) helps children develop important skills such as empathy, self-awareness, and conflict resolution. Incorporating SEL into the curriculum can help children learn how to manage their emotions and build positive relationships with others.
3. Encourage physical activity: Physical activity is important for children's physical health and cognitive development. Encouraging children to participate in sports, outdoor activities, or other forms of physical activity can help them develop gross motor skills and improve their overall well-being.
4. Foster a sense of community: Children need to feel like they belong to a community and have a support system. Schools can create a sense of community by organizing school events, encouraging parent involvement, and creating opportunities for students to work together on projects or volunteer in the community.
5. Incorporate cultural diversity: Children come from diverse backgrounds and it's important to acknowledge and celebrate their cultural heritage. Incorporating cultural diversity into the curriculum can help children develop a sense of pride in their identity and appreciate the diversity of others.
Overall, educating the whole child involves creating a learning environment that addresses the diverse needs of children and supports their physical, emotional, social, and cultural development.
Teachers and schools have lots to worry about when AI can answer complex questions like the one above with considerable style, understanding and truth. If you ask ChatGPT what was wrong with No Child Left Behind, he/she answers the following:
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) was a federal education law that was passed in 2001 with the goal of improving academic performance in schools and closing the achievement gap between disadvantaged students and their more advantaged peers. However, the law has been criticized for a number of reasons, including:
1. Emphasis on standardized testing: NCLB put a heavy emphasis on standardized testing, which led to a narrowing of the curriculum as teachers focused on preparing students for the tests rather than providing a well-rounded education. Additionally, the law did not provide enough flexibility for states and schools to develop their own assessments and accountability measures.
2. Unrealistic expectations: NCLB set unrealistic goals for student achievement, requiring that 100% of students be proficient in reading and math by 2014. This goal was impossible to achieve, especially for schools with large populations of disadvantaged students.
3. Punitive measures: The law imposed harsh consequences on schools that did not meet the required standards, such as loss of funding or even closure. This created a culture of fear and pressure for educators and students, which often resulted in a focus on test scores at the expense of other important aspects of education.
4. Inequitable funding: NCLB did not address the issue of inequitable funding between schools and districts, which meant that disadvantaged students often received fewer resources and opportunities than their more advantaged peers.
5. Lack of support for struggling schools: The law did not provide enough support for struggling schools and failed to address the root causes of low academic achievement, such as poverty and systemic inequities.
Overall, NCLB was well-intentioned, but its implementation had a number of flaws that ultimately limited its effectiveness and led to widespread criticism.
Should students use ChatGPT to answer school homework questions?
It is interesting to read how ChatGPT answered that question, pointing out why students should not rely on it to do their thinking for them:
As an AI language model, my purpose is to assist and provide information to people. However, using an AI language model like ChatGPT to answer school homework questions may not be the most effective way for students to learn and develop critical thinking skills.
While using an AI language model can be a quick and convenient way to find information, it may not help students develop their own problem-solving abilities and may not provide the necessary context and deeper understanding of the subject matter. Additionally, it is important for students to learn how to evaluate sources and determine the credibility of information, which is a critical skill in today's information age.
Therefore, while students may use ChatGPT to supplement their learning or to gain a better understanding of a concept, it is important that they do not rely solely on AI language models to answer their homework questions. Instead, students should use a variety of sources and engage in active learning to develop their own critical thinking skills and gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
What should teachers do about ChatGPT?
ChatGPT has advice for teachers:
As an AI language model, ChatGPT can be a useful tool for teachers to incorporate into their teaching practices. Here are some ways in which teachers can use ChatGPT:
1. As a resource for answering questions: Teachers can use ChatGPT to quickly find answers to questions they may not know the answer to. This can save time and provide more accurate information.
2. As a tool for creating lesson plans: Teachers can use ChatGPT to research and gather information on specific topics to create more engaging and informative lesson plans.
3. As a tool for student research: Teachers can teach students how to use ChatGPT as a research tool to find information on various topics. They can also teach students how to evaluate the credibility of information found through ChatGPT and other sources.
However, it is important for teachers to remember that ChatGPT is just one tool in their teaching toolbox. While it can be a helpful resource, it should not replace the important role of the teacher in facilitating learning and providing context and deeper understanding of the subject matter.
Additionally, teachers should educate their students on the proper use of AI language models and encourage them to use a variety of sources to gain a more comprehensive understanding of a topic. Teachers should also be aware of potential biases or inaccuracies that may exist in the information provided by ChatGPT and other AI language models, and should teach their students to critically evaluate the information they find.
While I began this article with a focus on the whole child, ChatGPT became a surprise visitor and co-writer.
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