Review
Computers as Tutors: Solving the Crisis in Education Selected as "Outstanding" by Parent Council
Frederick Bennett methodically and logically analyzes current educational Practices with a focus on the enhanced role computers can play in the schools. His review of past educational theory and present-day situations illustrate the frustration o many with our schools. Bennett's vision for education will not be easy to achieve, but this information is well worth the time that parents, taxpayers, school board members, educators, and politicians, and other stakeholders would spend reading this book. An innovation that actually could revolutionize our schools is shaped here. -- Fall/Winter 99 Issue of Reviews from Parent Council
In Computers As Tutors: Solving The Crisis In Education, Frederick Bennett lays out the difficulties that are present in contemporary American education and reveals why the millions of newly added computers in schools have been largely ineffectual. Bennett describes how computers, if used differently, will enable every student without exception to succeed in school. The key is individualized instruction. A private tutor in the form of a computer will allow each pupil to learn at his or her own comfort rate. The benefits will be manifested in the lives of slower studies, brighter students, handicapped students, and all students, preschool through university. Teachers will remain and provide the human element to ensure that education develop the whole person (not just the intellectual side), and freed of traditional time-consuming clerical duties, "Leader Teachers" will be able to mentor and monitor children as they progress with computerized tutorial instruction. Computers As Tutors is innovative, challenging, at times provocative -- and always, highly recommended reading for aspiring and practicing educators at ever grade level. -- Midwest Book Review, July 1999
The author does a very good job.... Who would benefit from reading this book? Everyone. -- MM Publishing Book Reviews, February 1, 2002
This book deserves serious consideration by school boards, especially in metropolitan areas where computers can have the most dramatic effect. -- Frank McGowan, Windowatch Magazine, November 1999
This is an important book. It would be a shame if it were ignored or dismissed without careful consideration. -- Grand Rapids Press, July 2,2000 by Rick Sullivan, Ph.D.
Product Description
It is no secret that monumental problems exist in our schools. Reading, math and science skills are sadly deficient, and students in record numbers are dropping out in frustration over what they perceive as their lack of ability to learn. Teachers are over-burdened with tedious tasks, unable because of hours available, requirements of curriculum, and over-crowded classrooms, to devote quality time to those most in need of instruction.
The solution to this self-defeating dilemma is one-on-one computerized education, writes Dr. Bennett who advocates pairing students with computers for individualized instruction. With computers as tutors, each child, regardless of his or her intelligence level or background, will be able to succeed in school at their own personal pace. Infinitely patient, non-judgmental, a computer tutor will repeat the lesson until it is learned. Each small achievement will feed the human need to succeed.
What about traditional teachers --- will they become obsolete, question those who fear computerized education will conceive an unfeeling class of humanoids. Such is not the case. Teachers will continue to educate and facilitate, providing the human element to ensure education develops the whole person, not just the intellectual side. They would evolve into "Leader Teachers" with more time and energy to mentor and monitor pupils as they progress. Increased direction by teachers in smaller neighborhood schools (instead of larger learning institutions where at-risk students are often ignored) would have a better chance of targeting troubled teens before they were able to mastermind a tragedy like Littleton.
