[NLA] Discussion: Learning for the Future --Innovation or Wasteful Duplication?

[PDRNRI@aol.com]

Elsa and Others: 

information on MPR Center for Curriculum and Professional Development, the 
group which is conducting this project, can be found at www.mprinc.com.  I 
scanned it quickly, and am already upset.  

They describe themselves as "One of the nation's leading education consulting 
firms, we are committed to strengthening elementary, secondary, and 
postsecondary education and expanding opportunities for youth."  There is no 
evidence I've seen of past involvement in ABE; mostly they seem interested in 
k-12 vocational ed, and post secondary ed.  Products they've produced include 
"Workwise", a secondary/vocational curriculum package, featuring the software 
package "Global Trade 1.0", the website description of which leaves me 
thoroughly unnerved: 

"This case study, which won an EDDIE award in 2000 from ComputED Learning 
Lab, immerses students in the world of manufacturing and charges them with 
analyzing the prospects for establishing a factory in China, India, Mexico, 
or South Africa. Video clips, maps, data, and news articles guide students to 
an understanding of the economic and political realities in each country. 
Each student or group of students must prepare a multimedia presentation that 
weighs the pros and cons of doing business in a particular country.

Based on the national standards in economics and social studies, Global Trade 
challenges high school students to assess the costs, risks, and opportunities 
posed by each country. Asked to be analysts in a large athletic footwear 
company in the United States, students get to stretch their critical-thinking 
skills as they examine different modes of transportation, estimate 
unpredictable expenses, and learn about the countries' political, social, and 
economic infrastructures."

David Hayes
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