Use of available technology can improve education
Re: “More MontCo students take alternate route to diplomas,” & “School, county officials wrestle for Md. state money,” Oct. 7
These articles indicate that the public education system needs to be transformed to meet students’ basic needs more efficiently. The “One Laptop Per Child” (OLPC) project has shown the way by providing about 2 million inexpensive laptops to other countries. OLPC will soon have tablet PCs available for less than $100 each. The State of Maine already has begun laptop learning in grades 7-12.
The OLPC approach would level the playing field because testing would be built into each course module to ensure the student has learned the subject. No more high-stakes testing at mid-term and end of courses. Learning problems would be identified and corrected much earlier. Moreover, automatic testing would eliminate laborious tracking and provide more precise evaluation at less time and cost.
Automated courses in English grammar, math, physics, hygiene and other practical applications that are basic to everyday living and preparation for work or college are already available.
G. Stanley Doore
Silver Spring
Jailhouse evidence should be allowed in ex-Marine’s trial
Re: “Defense wants ex-Marine’s statements suppressed in rape case,” Oct. 6
The attorney for former Marine Jorge Torrez — who is charged with abduction, rape and robbery and is also linked through DNA to the murder of two young girls — wants to keep statements he made while incarcerated from being used in court. While in prison, Torrez reportedly gave incriminating evidence to a fellow inmate who was a government agent without a lawyer being present.
If such evidence is excluded, we will be putting procedure before substance. As a retired patent law judge, I believe the truth must be paramount for justice to prevail. Our rules should be changed to allow all evidence to be presented, regardless of the source. If a party is aggrieved, he or she can have legal recourse against the person who improperly gave the evidence.
Otherwise, we are just playing legal games that let the bad guys win while the public loses.
Murray Katz
Silver Spring
UVA should follow Harvard’s lead on academic misconduct
A Harvard report found psychology professor Marc Hauser “solely responsible for eight instances of scientific misconduct” involving data acquisition, according to an Aug. 20 statement by Harvard Dean Michael D. Smith. The report began with an inquiry phase in response to allegations of “monkey business” in Hauser’s research on monkey cognition. Three academic papers authored by Hauser, presumably peer reviewed, will have to be corrected or retracted.
In contrast, two reviews of Penn State climatologist Michael Mann focused primarily on his data housekeeping habits and analysis methodology. The issues of data acquisition and the validity of his analysis were not pursued.
At the University of Virginia, an “inquiry phase” similar to the Harvard protocol was initiated by Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli into Mann’s possible misuse of public funds. Rather than welcome the chance to dispel any suspicion of scientific misconduct and protect its academic reputation, UVa enlisted a high-powered legal team to fight the AG in court.
While this legal process plays out, the public must wonder why Harvard’s openness and direct dealing with such allegations is not the model for UVa.
Charles Battig, M.D.
President, Piedmont Chapter
Virginia Scientists and Engineers for Energy and Environment
Charlottesville
