Recently someone sent me this amazing video about what the world will look like for our children. The rate of change and growth of technology is mind boggling and means that it is virtually impossible to visualize our children’s future. They will have jobs that don’t exist yet using technology that has not even been imagined. Check it out:
After watching the video I went on to the creators blog, Karl Fisch, the Director of Technology for Arapahoe High School, called The Fischbowl. The latest post was called “What’s the Purpose of School?” and it really got me thinking. If the world is changing so much, so much that we can’t even anticipate what our children will need or do or have, what role does school play? It used to be that reading, writing, and arithmetic were the building blocks of everything. Is that still the case? How does school prepare our kids for a future they are probably more prepared for and experienced with than their teachers?
Intuitively I believe in the value of school but I also see that schools and teachers have to make a giant shift in thinking to prepare kids for the future in this rapidly changing world. Is this possible? What do you think?
I’ve been thinking about this post for two days now, trying to craft a response. The topic is too large. It set me off thinking about so many aspects of education, culture, systems, etc. I followed the links to some of the education blogs which, although fascinating, complicated the issue further.
In a nutshell, I think education is about helping kids learn to think for themselves, to be capable of following their interests wherever they may lead. It is also to help them become good citizens, not as cogs who produce and consume to keep our economy running, but as creative, reflective, kind, empathetic people who try to better the world in some way. Education should help children see value in themselves as the humans they are, which is especially important for those who don’t get that from home. I could go on and on…..
I think public education is doing pretty well but there is plenty of room for improvement. One major problem is standardized testing because it dictates what is taught and the pace at which it is taught. Another problem, a rigid curriculum (at least here in Ontario, I’m not familiar with other provinces). The problems are systemic, it’s hard for a teacher to break out of the system. Parents have to make up some of the deficiencies but not all parents are aware and/or able too. Overall we are one of the most literate countries in the world (# 2 I believe). If we all work together, we can provide the best education possible.
I think about this every day, in my job (teacher) and in my home life (mother). This could be a PHD paper or a book or an entire encyclopedia.
My 2 cents, incredibly abridged.
Erin
I think schools have already made a great shift from the 3 R’s, to helping students become creative thinkers and problem solvers. Even addition has changed since I went to school – my daughter showed me 4 different ways to add 3 digit numbers – who knew?? For students today, it isn’t so much about what they are learning, but that they are learning how to learn and adapt, and those are the skills they will need to keep up with this constantly changing world.
So interesting. It is hard to comprehend. I was watching a special on Bill Gates the other day and was talking about the first time I used a mouse…even the personal computer was something our parents couldn’t even have imagine.