The map of the ADHD prescriptions increasing as you move farther east is very interesting. It makes me wonder why prescription density is so much greater on the east coast and it seems troubling that this has turned into a modern epidemic. Having students with IEP's due to being diagnosed with ADD/ADHD it does seem that some of these students are being punished for being bored in class. My issue with this is that even with the incorporation of technology as my students all have macbooks, and the engagement level at my school is at a higher level than most, students are still getting distracted. With this in mind it does not seem that students are bored, but there has been a shift in kids' willingness to learn and their ability to stay focused. In regards to Sir Ken's thought about waking kids up, the focus needs to be on how can they control themselves to be effective in the learning process. The question is how can we do this without having students medicated?
In regards to the idea of letting students move through the education system at their own pace it does seem to make sense rather than batching them by age in our current system. If we were able to shift this utilitarian educational paradigm a serious issue would be how do we rearrange the education system and in what ways will it be monitored and mandated that student meet the requirements and are moving at an acceptable pace. Spiraling back to my comment above about student willingness to learn I find it hard to believe that allowing students to move at their own pace will be as effective. With those students who are immature or have ADHD, the lack of focus and potential motivation can hinder students educational outcomes even more than they already are. It is clear that there is no simply solution to the problem of modern education, but the intentions and direction that education is moving seems to be good.
In regards to the idea of letting students move through the education system at their own pace it does seem to make sense rather than batching them by age in our current system. If we were able to shift this utilitarian educational paradigm a serious issue would be how do we rearrange the education system and in what ways will it be monitored and mandated that student meet the requirements and are moving at an acceptable pace. Spiraling back to my comment above about student willingness to learn I find it hard to believe that allowing students to move at their own pace will be as effective. With those students who are immature or have ADHD, the lack of focus and potential motivation can hinder students educational outcomes even more than they already are. It is clear that there is no simply solution to the problem of modern education, but the intentions and direction that education is moving seems to be good.