Digital Learning - Now!

Digital Learning truly gives us a John Lennon "Imagine" moment. Imagine a classroom, not a traditional classroom, where each space is personalized for the student who uses that space. Each seat has a computer. Each computer is linked to a digital learning source, such as the Khan Academy. Each student spends their day studying a core set of required coursework, plus just about anything else that peaks their enthusiasm for learning. Not all students are studying at the same grade equivalent.

One student, studying three languages in addition to the core three-R's, needing help after trying to find an answer through the online learning source, raises their hand. The teacher proceeds to give one-on-one assistance, either with content or with the learning interface. The teacher may also have direct access to other resources by phone, Internet or via an inhouse technician.

Then imagine that this teacher, or group of teachers, is operating this education program as a business, a professional association, with LLC status. The government funds each student with an amount, significantly less than the current $11,644, composed of a combination of public and private scholarships. Each teacher can take on as many as a dozen-plus students, or more, especially if they have assistants. Essentially, each teacher can control their finances depending on how successfully they run their business. And each student gets an individualized education. Normal free-market factors will sort out the good from the bad, barring any interference in that process.

Yes it is truly non-traditional. And some teachers may fail. But the one-on-one opportunities, the course consistency, the support of a nationwide digital learning network and the reduced cost per student all combine to make our students more competitive in the global economy. Students are "sculpted" rather than manufactured.

Just Imagine? Not Exactly ... check out Florida Virtual Schools

Click here to listen to the Heartland Radio Hour discussion of the new Digital Learning movement.

'Free to Choose Medicine'

Heartland published the new book titled 'Free to Choose Medicine' from Bart Madden. Coming from a free market investment background, Madden has recently focused on expediting the delivery of new, and urgently needed, drugs to the American market.

In the first part of this week's episode, Madden talks with Heartland's Bruno Behrend and wMCCS host Ken Capron about the tradeoff new drugs face in the approval process. "More extensive and hugely expensive testing may reduce the probability of unanticipated adverse side effects from an approved drug, but at the same time also greatly increases drug costs to consumers and, most importantly, causes suffering and premature deaths from delayed access."

Madden proposes a "Dual Track" alternative to the FDA's current delayed introduction of new meds. See www.LearningWhatWorks.com for more background. Click here to listen to the Heartland Radio Hour discussion of 'Free to Choose Medicine'.

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Part two of this episode, Bruno and Ken discuss the Courts take on Obamacare. [Listeners are invited to read Heartland Policy Sudy #128 - The ObamaCare Disaster by Peter Ferrara.]

Discussion of severability, line-item veto, what states should do and other relevant topics. Click here to listen to the discussion of ObamaCare. Was the lack of severability deliberate?