CLASSROOMS WITHOUT WALLS

Partnerships between the federal government, the military, corporations and foundations play an increasingly significant role in educational technology and educational reform. During the 1950''s, the Ford Foundation sought to automate the classroom using Instructional Television (ITV). In the 60''s, Educational Television (ETV) was supported by the Carnegie Foundation. In the 80''s, the Apple corporation developed the personal computer and edutainment followed soon thereafter through other software companies. Later in the 90''s, the Ameritech Foundation and the Corporation for Educational Communications (CEC) designed sophisticated Video Distance Learning (VDL) networks. Ameritech promoted “SuperSchools,” Ameritech Advanced Video Services (AAVS), the “free enterprise network,” and the Ameritech Electronic University School Classroom to reform public education. While these foundations and companies like Ameritech claim to know what is best for public education, the findings of this study suggest that public school administration should move cautiously when adopting new educational technology "solutions" such as "Classrooms without Walls."