Comments about ‘John Florez: Create schools for a digital world’

In my opinion kids need to count higher than 0, 1. rely on a computer or a calculator. I think tat electricity, plumbing, mechanics, carpenters ect. ect. ect. Everything that you can do your self saves money. The less money you have to spend is the more money you have the more money you have is the less time you have to be at work the more time you can go fishing, or do what you love.

"The problem with education is a structural one"

I disagree. Furthermore, Mr. Florez's advice is too vague to be useful.

I'm not sure of Mr. Florez's qualifications re this subject, but I have actually raised three children in this age (my oldest was born in 1985). One is a mechanical engineer, one has a Masters in IT Mgmt (from the Marriott School) and the third will be graduating from UC Berkeley with a degree in electrical engineering/computer science.

Imagination, innovation, creativity, and the desire to learn are the timeless keys to success. These traits are developed and nurtured through parenting and by having great teachers. A few great teachers along the way (along with a family culture stressing the value of education) lit the fires under my children and made them intellectually hungry and successful.

Money is essential in attracting and retaining the best and brightest to the teaching profession. So is culture. Utah, with its homogenous population and culture, should lead the world (not just the country) in education. But it does not because the LDS culture does not really value intellectual achievement. School funding and what happens at school is secondary in importance in Utah.

Okay Mr. Florez, now could you tell us where the money is going to come from? I mean a good share of Utah's secondary teachers have 35, 40 or more students in their classrooms and you are talking about getting students ready for the digital age. Well, the students are I suppose on their own as the teacher tries to manage his/her classroom and the students non-stop text. Maybe that's what you were meaning...