Don’t shun classroom for online classes

In their June 26 Other Views article, Historic shift in learning under way, former Gov. Jeb Bush and actress Rosario Dawson hope to make online education more accessible to all learners.

While connectivity provides access to a vast body of information, and laptops can replace cumbersome, expensive textbooks, where is the research establishing the success of online courses?

Teachers and counselors see how students are not engaged in their online classes, with many of them complaining they do not learn the course material.

At the same time there are no published figures comparing, for instance, the pass rate on College Board exams of classroom vs. remote learners.

In all the excitement generated for connectivity in education, we need to be sure that our tax dollars are not undermining the classroom experience that continues to define quality education.

Ralph Remis, Miami

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Find other options for Pets Trust

Last year, a non-binding straw ballot question was put to Miami-Dade voters that asked whether the county should raise property taxes to help fund enhanced animal services in our community. Voters strongly supported the question posed and the idea of saving pets’ lives. Unfortunately, the voters were given only one choice to make: raise taxes to provide for animal welfare or let the pets die.
Rain, it’s free water

Re the July 5 Other Views column Desalinization could solve our water problems: Desalinization is one of the most expensive ways to obtain fresh water. Has the proponent looked out the window lately? There seems to be an abundant water supply coming from heaven. How about using some of it? It’s free.
Egypt’s revolution

Instead of celebrating the triumph of a liberal and progressive movement in Egypt, the Obama administration and the media are not actively embracing this second revolution.

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