It appears that the ‘brain zapper’ ….

1. Has only been succesful in some classes

2. Has a negative effect generally

3. Is useful for teaching young children

How Sandra Oby quickly overcame her fear of mice

It’s been two years since her classroom received its first Macintosh computers. And in that time, Sandra has noticed a remarkable transformation. Learning is more fun, students are more motivated, teaching is more creative. Yet when Macingtosh computers were introduced to Elementary School, Sandra remembers being more concerned than confident about this new technology. ‘Because I’d never used a computer before, my biggest fear was that I would know what to do with it in my classroom. What if something were to go wrong when a child was working? Then what would I do?’ Once Sandra actually sat down at the Macintosh, however, her feelings of apprehension quickly disappeared. ‘I was surprised by how easy the Macintosh was to learn. I started right in working on it, without having to dig through any difficult manuals. Soon, I was doing all kinds of new things with my Mac.’ Sandra first used her Macintosh as a new tool for teaching writing. ‘The Mac motivates these kids to write, like nothing I’ve ever seen. Revisions are easier, and they write more than they would otherwide.’ Sandra also discovered the advantages of teaching reading with a Macintosh. ‘Because books on CD-ROM come with interactive graphics, animation and sound,’ she says, ‘reading lessons are more interesting, and the kids seem to pick up spelling and vocabulary a lot quicker.’ While Sandra put together her own Macintosh teaching materials, Apple now offers educators a comprehensive literature-based package for teaching language arts. Called Early Language Connections, it included Macintosh computers and programs, books on CD-ROM, portfolio assessment tools, lesson plans – even on-site training. All of which makes it even easier to discover the most important power and teacher can have. The power of Macintosh. The power to be your best.’

A SCHOOL OF FUTURE

The high school of the future may be New York City’s John Dewey High School. Located in Brooklyn, this unique school offers an expanded altered course of study for mature students. The sacred 40 minute period has been abolished and replaced with 20 minute units, so that some classes are 20, 40, 60 or even 80 minutes long. Courses have been revised into seven-week units. In honor study halls students pledge themselves to quiet study. Generally, the teachers’ attitude towards students is casual. Pupils may utilize the cafeteria any time they have no classes. Pupils pursue courses they choose themselves. So far the positive reaction is unanimous; everyone senses that the fortune students at John Dewey High School are pioneers in the trust to find new ways of teaching and learning. We salute this innovative school.

Why I Didn't Do My Homework

— I know homework is essential to our well-being, and I did it but I got into a fight with some kid on our way to school and he threw it in the gutter.

— My dog chewed it.

— I didn't know we were supposed to do it.

— I fell asleep on the subway because I stayed up all night doing my homework, so when it stopped at my station I ran through the door not to be late and left it on the seat on the subway.

— I did it but left it home by mistake.

— The baby spilled milk on it.

— My brother took "my" homework instead of "his".

— The page was missing from my book.

— I lost my book and just found it.

— There's no room in my house now my uncle moved in and I have to sleep in the hall and couldn't use the kitchen table.

— Someone stole it.

— What homework?