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Report of the National Commission on Mathematics and Science Teaching for the 21st Century (Glenn Commission Report)

Hal Harris | Sun, 10/01/2000 - 01:00

This report is potentially very important. On the other hand, it could have no impact whatsoever. If Washington reads the Commission findings and recommendations, and funds the five billion dollar programs it recommends, science and mathematics education in the United States could get the "shot in the arm" that it so desperately requires. "A Nation at Risk" was published in 1983.

False Promise

Hal Harris | Sat, 09/02/2000 - 02:00

Computers play an increasing role in the life of children (along with everyone else). How much is too much? More and more educators, physicians, and child development professionals are beginning to recognize that time in front of CRT (whether on a computer or a TV) is time that is not spent in interaction with the real world.

The Book on the Bookshelf

Hal Harris | Wed, 08/02/2000 - 02:00

Henry Petroski, Professor of Engineering and Professor of History at Duke University, is a master at "humanizing" engineering by writing about the history and development of familiar objects such as paperclips and pencils. He seems to relish the challenges involved in writing engagingly to non-engineers about some of the most mundane objects in everyday life - things that we take for granted.

High Stakes are for Tomatoes

Hal Harris | Tue, 08/01/2000 - 01:00

We all, and both candidates for President, agree that that our educational systems need to adhere to the highest standards of excellence, that "social promotion" in schools is a bad thing, that students should have to demonstrate basic competences before they receive high school diplomas, and that schools, teachers, and students ought to be rewarded or punished on the basis of judgements render

Exploring the Art and Science of Stopping Time: The Life and Work of Harold E. Edgerton

Hal Harris | Thu, 06/01/2000 - 01:00

This is the first time that something not printed on paper has been chosen for Hal's Picks, and it probably will not happen often in the future. This particular subject is, however, better treated in digital format than in a book (although several good books on Edgerton and his work are also available).