SKrashen:
Free Advertising for Duolingo
Sent to the Japan Times, May 23, 2014Contrary to the impression given by The Japan Times's free commercial for Duolingo ("Duolingo chief shakes up language learning," May 23), there is no clear evidence that Duolinguo is effective in teaching foreign languages. The only research study done assessing the impact of Duolingo, which was funded by Duolingo, did not produce strong results: For
MAY 22
In education, satire is obsolete (Alfie Kohn)
Quite a few people who reacted to my post (see below) thought it was real. It wasn't. It was an attempt at satire. Part of its failure was my fault, for not making it clear that it was satire. And part was the situation we are now living in, a situation so bizarre that this kind of annoucement is believable. The reaction confirms Alfie Kohn's statement: In education, satire is now obsolete.The p
MAY 21
Overwhelming Support For The Common Core!!!
There is now no doubt: Americans overwhelmingly support the common core. In a poll organized by the Pearson Publishing Company, 96% strongly agreed with the statement, "Schools should teach important things." By a wide margin, those surveyed also agreed that "teachers should help students learn stuff." Education Secretary Arne Duncan announed that "This poll is a real-ga
MAY 15
The common core: Don't forget what the real problem is.
Sent to the Seattle Times, May 15, 2014I think the common core math standards are lousy on purpose, made lousy so that parents will complain ("2+2=What? Parents rail against Common Core math," May 15).The common core architects will then make some adjustments, enough to stop the most vigorous complaints. Many complainers will then be satisfied and the public will be impressed with how op