Davidson Reading Assignment

In regards to paragraph “The iPod experiment was not . . . the twentieth-century classroom” (Davidson 54), Davidson uses a select choice of words/phrases to empower the meaning of this passage. Furthermore, by saying “it {iPod} was an investment in a new form of attention” he emphasizes that the iPod was not just an investment in technology, but rather an investment in educational reform and in student curiosity. The object was “not a hunk of white plastic” but it was a tool to stimulate the inquisitive and problem-solving minds of the students to better prepare them for their futures. In relation to the essay as a whole, this passage plays an important role in clarifying what the true nature of the iPod experiment is: to essentially change the “one-directional” attention that is characteristic of the standard american classroom. This passage essentially paves the way for the discussion of how educational systems that emphasize creative problem solving and decry the “teach to the test” mentality achieve more and create change. Davidson includes this paragraph to explain that though Duke was criticized for partaking in the iPod experiment, this experiment was essentially a form of “inquiry-based problem solving” which required students to actively think and problem solve as opposed to mindlessly repete and memorize.

This passage is especially important to the essay as a whole because it states\supports the main argument of the entire essay, that learning to think in multiple ways with different people is now necessary. Throughout the essay, Davidson talks about how the american educational system, college graduation rates, test scores, etc.are falling behind those of other countries. She even states that college graduation rates for Americans used to be number one, but now are on par with that of Mexico (as of 2006). Meanwhile countries like South Korea have improved from rankings of the mid thirties to first place. Teaching to the test is not making our students more successful or smarter, instead Davidson cites the methods of her former mother-in-law as a possible solution and example of successful learning. In all, this passage clarifies the true intent of the iPod experiment: to invoke educational reform/change.