This Week July 25, 1990. Page M7 FUTURE WATCH Videos make the grade student, not the student's knows his parents will get e onestly, now when was the last time you re- ally understood your kid’s traditional re- port card? Did it show what he was learning? Could it express any enthusiasm, or lack of it? Did it indicate his approach to problem solving? What did it tell you about the school itself? “DETOmorrow By FRANK OGDEN Well, a new day is dawning . . . the day of the video @ report card. Today, the par- ents of students at an opin- ion-writing class at San Diego State University (California) get the grades — and reasons for them — on home-television when they play the video- @ cassetie report card. Nine- ~ ty-five per cent of the par- ents receiving the modern report video approved. The system draws the family together and shows ; over dry, static print. He says: “The standard university report card to- day is a computer printout, a piece of paper that only says A, B, C, D or F. There is no elaboration on why the grade was assigned. On videotape, you can provide much more information. You can even zoom in on papers to provide specific examples of a student’s work.” Probably the greatest in- direct benefit is what the student learns about new communications skills while helping to develop the report card video. Stu- dents are aware that it’s now a video world and what was good enough for Mom and Pop won’t cut it — in the new age. Not all educators, howev- er, approve. Glen Broom, acting chairman at the San Diego University’s journal- the family how brightly, or unbrightly, other family members are be- having. The students have to request such video criti- ques, provide blank tapes, and pay the postage if their parents are out of town. Currently,.the tapes run 30 to 40 minutes in length. An introduction segment starts the show, which in- cludes classroom activities | — perhaps the student building or discussing so- mething, the ‘markings’ on his work, and comments on his work habits. According to Professor Donald Sneed, who heads the class, the new method of colorful, dynamic visuals has it all ism department is not a fan. He claims the video takes too much time to pre- pare and says “...(because of that) you would not have time to do your job.” But electronic journal- ism is, by every report, the dominant segment today. Perhaps this “old world” journalism teacher doesn’t feel there are benefits to be derived from teaching things that are applicable to the real jobs of the fu- ture. Broom also objects to sending such video reports to parents. “We are dealing with students here,” he states. “My client is the parents.” a copy, how can that be Yet, ifthe student partic- invading any one’s privacy? ipates and volounteers and I suggest that chairman Broom should remember it is those parents who pay the taxes which pay his salary. LEATHER Model: BARRI ELEGANT LEATHER CHAIR WITH OTTOMAN Available in Cream or Grey *KIT FORM Reg. *998.° 5399... Model: CASTLE DELUXE LEATHER CHAIR AND OTTOMAN Features swivel wood base. Available in Black, Brown, Cream and Grey Reg.1198.° PRICES IN EFFECT UNTIL JULY 30th * OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK * SUN 12-4 * AMPLE FREE PARKING *§ | [ScanDesicns} otf CULDUTHEL 333-771 Sl =