‘Stealth Learning’ Introduced to Middle Township Schools

COURT HOUSE – Being stoned while delivering newspapers does not sound like a promising start for a young man from the Mississippi Delta, but Dr. James “Butch” Rosser is living the impossible every day. From the operating room to the classroom, Rosser seeks to inspire and save lives.
Educators in Middle Township caught a glimpse of the impossible as possible Oct. 6 at the Middle Township Performing Arts Center (PAC) as part of their professional development day. Rosser commanded the stage, engaging with his audience and explaining Stealth Learning.
“Why not flip distractions for the greater good?” Rosser said. Based on a scientifically defended thesis at the University of Florida, Stealth Learning incorporates drones, planes, and video games into a student’s day as well as surgical techniques via virtual equipment.
Rosser, surgeon, and scientist caught the wave of minimally invasive surgery in the 1990’s, yet despaired at the number of patients lost.
“We (medical professionals) were killing people off like cattle,” Rosser explained. Taking the same principles he used playing Nintendo games, Rosser applied skills he observed from European surgeons.
According to Rosser, his first case took only 17 minutes in an operating room in Ohio. Seven-thousand news agencies carried the amazing story.
Criticized by peers, Rosser continued to experiment with video games, playing before an operation. Having played football in high school, Rosser says being able to think ahead and plan moves under pressure applies to other realms such as surgery and, now, education.
“Games you love can lead to the careers you dream of,” said Rosser. He went on to publish his first book “Play to Win” and was later dubbed “X-Box Doc” by the New York Times.
Games, designed to help fifth-grade students prepare for the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) test, follow basic scientific research. The cerebellum contains one-sixth of the human brain yet is under-used; movement stimulates this area of the brain, releasing neurons and dopamine.
Color, repetition, and music transmit more neurological waves. Thus students learn skills seen on standardized tests, organize and compile data, and have fun.
Students in Whitesboro took part in flying drones and playing games Oct. 5.
Rosser’s critics call him a criminal and accuse him of “trivializing their years of schooling.” The fifth-grade class at Piney Woods in Orlando, Fla., could perform the same surgical techniques, because of video games, as the surgeons. Rosser defends Stealth Learning, saying he thinks of future generations of medical professionals and has no intention of trivializing.
“We cannot be satisfied,” said Rosser. “We are still a dropout nation. You (teachers) cannot take up permanent residence in your rocking chair.” According to statistics, 62 percent of dropouts have a C average or greater.
Rosser claims Stealth Learning can be adapted to any curriculum and will eventually be available for lower elementary and preschool. Special needs students can also benefit from Stealth Learning.
When asked about the cost, Rosser says his team of students at the University of Florida is commercializing surgical drills and programs can be downloaded on devices already in the classroom. A $150,000 grant was given to Middle Township schools to initiate Stealth Learning.
“Don’t tell me about the impossible,” Rosser concluded. “I live the impossible.”
Rosser’s father built a school in Mississippi after WWII with his own funds. “This nation is great because we make the impossible possible,” said Rosser.
To contact Rachel Rogish, email rrogish@cmcherald.com.