Microsoft High School

[Motorboat Cruiser]

I thought this was a very cool concept and a glimpse into what the future could hold if we could let go of our antiquated approach to how school works. As I read about some of the things being implemented, I couldn't help but wonder why many of these things aren't already being used across the country.

We have all of this marvelous informational technology available to us and yet, we seem to be far more interested in easily accessible high-definition porn than we are in improving the learning environment of our childred. Glad to see Microsoft suggesting a different approach and I'm interested in seeing what the results are.

Just a few of the concepts being tried:

Students -- who are called "learners" -- use smart cards to register attendance, open their digital lockers and track calories they consume. They carry laptops, not books, and the entire campus has wireless Internet access.

Teachers, or "educators," rather than using blackboards, have interactive "smart boards" that allow teachers to zoom in and out, write or draw, and even link to the Internet.

There's no library, but an "interactive learning center" where information is all digital and a "multimedia specialist" will help out students.

Instead of a cafeteria, there's a food court with restaurant-style seating. The performance center -- where two sections rotate close to create a smaller space -- replaces the typical auditorium.

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Students have scheduled appointments with teachers, typed into their online calendars, instead of being limited to structured times for classes. Their laptops carry software that assesses how quickly they're learning the lesson. If they get it, they'll dive deeper into the subject. If not, they get remedial help.

Lessons will have more incorporation of current events to teach subjects. For instance, a question of whether Philadelphia is safe from the avian flu will teach students about geography, science and history.

"Learning is not just going to school," said Shirley Grover, the school's energetic principal who came from the American School in Milan, Italy. "Learning is equal to life."

In addition, students at the school must apply to college to get a diploma.