Pearson PR Backfires. Education Publisher Accused of Censorship and Propaganda

[DLnyc]

1. Pearson perverts the educational process

They sell software for students to work math problems online. But while computer programs may be okay for testing certain mechanical math skills, most of the knowledge and attitude necessary for developing good math skills cannot be easily tested by a computer program. So naturally Pearson wants to equate math learning with test preparation, since that is the only skill that they could arguably help develop.

I have experience teaching remedial math with Pearson technology. I can say with confidence that my students would have been much better off with a reasonably priced (used) book and time focused on actually understanding the math they were doing. Instead, thanks to Pearson, they spent huge amounts of time practicing random 'tricks' on the computer in preparation for a test that basically measures how well students can prepare for a test.