180 Days

I read the blog "180 Days?" in which Fisch borrows an idea from Barry Bachenheimer about time wasted in schools.  Bachenheimer gave a college class a lecture pointing out how students of the 21st century need to receive instruction for the skills required to succeed, specifically keeping up with technology.  When he presented this idea to his college students they were enthusiastic but concerned about a lack of time.  Bachenheimer put together a presentation showing how much time is "wasted" in school and Fisch developed his own similar presentation.  

Watching his presentation does show that there are definitely wasted times during school which, when added cumulatively, add up to many days.  (60 days in Fisch's estimation).  While I did agree with several of his examples of activities that could be considered wasteful I don't think you can constructively use every hour of school.  Students, as well as teachers, welcome breaks and lulls in activity throughout the long 180 day school year.  That being said, I definitely believe schools could find additional time to cover more technological material and improve student's proficiency.  While many schools do offer some sort of computer class, it is often very basic and we have moved beyond the basics in the world today.  I think that with a little rearranging, most schools could find time to include more technology based classes in the curriculum and prepare students for what they will need to know to better succeed in today's society.