Emily Figdor, a member of the Portland School Board, extols the new school buildings in Portland (“In revamping Portland school buildings, community answered the call,” Sept. 19). As she writes, “Now the schools are 21st-century learning environments, with welcoming, safe and secure entrances; spaces that support a range of functions for academic learning and socioemotional development, such as small group learning spaces and one-on-one spaces; natural light; design elements that capture the spirit of what it’s like to be a child; modern technology; and much more.”

The Science Center at Harvard University, “the largest building ever built for the university at the time of its completion,” opened in 1973. I once walked by it with the late B.F. Skinner, who said to me: “The building may be brand new, but the teaching methods will be the same as always.” (Skinner was an early proponent of programmed instruction, so he knew of what he spoke.)

I have the same thought with respect to the new Portland schools. They may be 21st-century learning environments, but will the teaching methods be the traditional ones?

William Vaughan Jr.
Chebeague Island