One Huge Science Research Experiment

There is so much information on education "reform" policies it's easy to get caught up in the dramatics. It's very easy to get caught up in peoples hysteria. I just choose not too. There are many different theories people have of what the agenda is behind the common core.I choose to make mine based on evidence, facts and connecting the links between documents and speeches.

There’s a publication that is listed on US Department of Education called Promoting Grit Tenacity and Perseverance, I recently started researching some of the technology devices this publication has listed.  These devices are used to determine teacher effectiveness, student learning and engagement. From Facial Expression Cameras to Wireless Skin Conductance Sensor there are many “products” listed that state they measure students emotional responses while “learning” and teacher “effectiveness”.

Here's a closer look along with my commentary of some of the technology devices listed in the publication Promoting Grit Tenacity and Perseverance        

                                                                                        Facial Expression Camera
Face-based Emotion Recognition With this system it is possible to infer six different emotions beyond the basic emotions: agreeing, concentrating, disagreeing, interested, thinking and unsure.The automated mind-reading system implements the model by combining top-down predictions of mental state models with bottom-up vision-based processing of the face. Mind reading camera system wow. Every spouse will want one of these for sure!

Posture Chair

We are gathering data about student posture while seated using different and key points on the seat and on the back of the chair, and also we can get information about how the subject leans back and forward. Using this information enhance the way we can define the emotional status of the student.

Notice the wording. Our children are viewed as subjects. 


             
         Skin Conductance Sensor
Skin Conductance Sensor (SCS), also known as Galvanic Skin Response (GSR), is a method of measuring the electrical conductance of the skin, which varies with its moisture level. This is of interest because the sweat glands are controlled by the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, so skin conductance is used as an indication of psychological or physiological arousal. Exactly how will this help our children learn?

ANGLE’s Facebook project

The central focus of the Advancing Next Generation Learning Environments (ANGLE) Lab at ASU is to explore and innovate technologies designed to enhance interactive learning environments and ultimately improve student learning.

Curious to know the reasons why these technology devices are being introduced into our schools? Read the following 2011 report by The Executive Office of the President Council of Economic Advisers  Unleashing the Potential of Educational Technology. Several statements really stood out.

1.)  Common Core State Standards that now have been adopted by 44 states and the District of Columbia.The widespread acceptance of these standards represents a major step towards resolving disagreements over learning objectives that have been an obstacle to the development of broadly applicable educational technologies.  The standards are highly detailed, providing metrics on a large set of specific skills by grade level and field, and are thus a source of clear, actionable guidance for entrepreneurs and businesses in developing learning technologies. 

2.)Rather than relying on the producers of educational technologies to provide evidence about their effectiveness, schools could be encouraged to join together to facilitate testing of promising technologies and share the resulting assessments.  To the extent that technologies can be distributed via the Internet, the logistical challenges to such an endeavor are greatly reduced.  And to the extent that particular technologies are shown to be effective in meeting common educational objectives, schools that are a part of the new assessment community could represent initial demand for these products at an attractive scale.

Our children are the subjects that entrepreneurs are testing their technology devices on. I automatically thought isn't it illegal to conduct research experiments on children? Especially with out a parents consent. 

According to the U.S Department of Health and Human Resources there are additional protections for children participating in human subjects research. 

Here's the catch......... Except in an educational setting.

This appears to be one huge science research experiment and our children are the products they are researching. Corporations don't have to jump through hoops to get their products tested because they will be testing them in our schools. 

Forgot to mention all these products are funded by ..................................................................
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Yup you guessed The one and only  Bill And Melinda Gates Foundation