What Can The US Do To Keep Its Tech Edge?

SteelMaiden

Super Moderator
Super Moderator
#21
Jennifer Kirley said:
I encourage all to volunteer, perhaps as mentors, in their local schools. I have often thought that greater up-close, insider exposure to schools would help them see what goes on: some very good, some very bad. There is a need for cooperative support between schools, businesses, families and communities.
Yes, getting involved is a good thing. Unfortunately, it seems that a small percentage of folks are doing the volunteering. Or, sometimes, a new person will come in and volunteer their time in some area in which they have some knowledge and their efforts are are rejected by the school, school board, etc. It goes hand in hand with what we see in business; "we've always done it this way."

And then, there are others who have volunteered themselves into a no hours left situation with other causes that are just as worthy, but unrelated to education.

So, it appears that we need to do a couple of things, actively seek new volunteers from that group of people who do not volunteer at all, and stop placing roadblocks in the path of those who volunteer and are discouraged.

For the first solution, I am not sure that I know of a good method to make this happen. You really cannot make someone take part if they do not want to. For the second, it seems to me that we need to constantly encourage people to know the issues and become politically active to make sure that the "right" people are elected. For that third group of people that already carry a full load elsewhere, we need to applaud their efforts wherever they may be placed, they are important to our communities also.
 
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Jen Kirley

Quality and Auditing Expert
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#23
Yes indeed. Ask a school "How can I help?" and one is likely to get handed a pile of things to photocopy. They will give you what is immediately pressing, (like something to help climb over the "lack of time" barrier many teachers face) not desiring to venture into a more complex set of contributions that requires maintenance and might be dropped without notice.

I also agree that the "We've always done it this way" thesis is still there. I have made three different offers to help with accreditation--which looks strikingly like an audit process--and went unanswered. I guess I didn't effectiveley communicate that the auditing I do isn't in accounting. :rolleyes:

Third, many parents are stretched to their limit and many more complainers wouldn't dream of contributing their time by tutoring, for example.

The school's leadership must make it clear that there is openness before people will volunteer in a deeper way than photocopying. It would require planning and a focus on coordinating efforts and assessing results for effectiveness. It doesn't look easy from here.
 
W

wolfnature

#24
I would tend to agree with Bill on this. While the level of inovations and advancements in the US have declined, they still are at a respectable level. I think that a lot of it does have to do with other countries catching up. The US advanced more quickly than most countries and therefore had more to work with. Now that technology is so widespread I think we are seeing a more level playing field.

The other aspect is that it seems most of the focus for advancement of science in the US has shifted focus to medicine rather than technology, which is basically just following where the money is. Also, medical advances take longer than technology advances, which makes it less apparent.
 
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R

Randy Stewart

#25
Jennifer I agree that the younger generation didn't create the problem. My father use to tell me that what one generation tolerates the next will incorporate. By trying to make things better/easier for our children, we have taken away the understanding or knowledge of how rough it was to get where we are.

I believe a major factor in the level of innovation is tied to the military. We do not have the need to stay one step ahead of the USSR. Another area that has seen decline is in space exploration. No space race!!! Watch Tactical to Practical on the History channel and it will amaze you where our toys came from!!!

I think it comes down to 2 items: No demand, no supply & what's the flavor of the month.
 
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