Our American educational system is a disaster for most students. Many graduate or drop out of school, feeling little sense of self-realization. This is because traditional schooling typically requires a set curriculum with only two alternatives - college preparatory or learning practical skills. And progress through the curriculum proceeds like a clock with the students in lockstep. Student achievement is measured with letter grades: A - F.
As a result, too many of our citizens have little interest in science, world geography, economics, politics, the fine arts, etc. They are primarily interested in making money, being entertained, professional sports, having the latest e-gadgets, etc.
If our schools could make the educational experience relevant to each student's interests, propensities, and talents, Many of these, otherwise, lost students would become more intrinsically motivated to learn and would enjoy the experience. This kind of learning stays with you all of your life.
With the nova coronavirus plaguing us, we are now forced to teach classes via the internet. Surprisingly, this allows for more one-on-one communication between student and teacher. It also can allow for virtual classrooms, where students can be virtually grouped together (regardless of where each one may be physically located - across the room or across the state) according to their rate of learning and their interests. A teacher for a particular grouping can tailor the lessons on her/his students' pace, needs, and level of abstraction/concreteness.
This may be the start of the needed reform for our schools.
Theresa Canada
I too would love to participate in your essay/book project if it covers education in Africa.
I think that online learning will make caring for individual differences and special needs more difficult.
Khalid, It is a two-edged sword. It depends on how it is implemented. It should not be 100% one or the other. A blended form is needed that uses the strengths and overcomes the weaknesses of each. Be open to new ideas and methods!
There is a need for a revolution in K-12 education forced by the nova coronavirus. revolution is a thing that must be done and that dynamic cycle in this life, including in the world of education, especially in certain conditions such as corona pandemic conditions, war conditions or natural disaster conditions
My contacts are very limited as I am 82 years-old and living as an expatriot in Mexico. Also, I am the caregiver for my wife who suffers from cerebellar ataxia. Nevertheless, I would be happy to write an essay.
Antonio,
If you think the American educational system is pretty awful, don’t worry! The educational system in Scotland is worse now. it was one of the best, until politicians though they would sort out the curriculum. Which they did, to the loss of breadth within the curriculum. When I was teaching (1979-2005) the secondary curriculum permitted a choice of at least 8 subjects including English, Maths, Social Subject (history, geography, modern studies), Science (physics, chemistry, biology), PE, Religious studies, Modern Languages, Technical subjects (wood work, cookery, typing), Art and Music. The new “C for E” otherwise Curriculum for Excellence devised by politicians to make savings has cut the subject choice to 5 and destroyed Modern Language teaching and ruined the quality of Social Subject teaching etc. Etc. Will the aftermath of Covid19 encourage change? Not if politicians have anything to do with It! Curricula should be developed by teachers without political interference.
I wish you well in endeavours to move education forward in the States. Afraid it will not in a doctrinaire SNP governed Scotland!
regards
George
Let's no give up. A "grass roots" movement of teachers is needed. (Not teacher's unions which tend to degrade the profession.) Maybe start with forums organized by enlightened teachers and professionals, including neuroscientists. Be bold to get press coverage (invite the press and/or write our own press releases).
Educate the public on the failings of current schooling and the promise of student-centered education - including self-directed education which leads to intrinsically motivated learning.
A pertinent article dating back to 2014. See: https://www.sott.net/article/313177-The-cult-of-ignorance-in-the-United-States-Anti-intellectualism-and-the-dumbing-down-of-America
Theresa Canada
I too would love to participate in your essay/book project if it covers education in Africa.
It is not only in America but world around where such experiences due to covid-19 are evident. You raise pertinent issues of our education system.
To my understanding, anywhere in the world the education system has not yet fully supported students to develop their inner potential. If, in the US the condition of education is such that could not be the best place for students to exercise their skills and develop their full born talent, you would never expect other third world countries to have better educational system.
Moreover, as digital technology advances remarkably, most our students are more interested in playing their gadgets. They spend hours and hours playing internet games. These all will kill the appetite of our students to learn science and math. They are no longer interested in learning things that need high order thinking skills (HOTS). In my view when I was in the UK, students were not interested in hard science. many reasons though. But perhaps, these type of students think that why we need to spend our time for thinking hard whether many possibilities for us to earn more money and enjoy better life with things far easier, for example learning music and become musician and get easy money with it.
Moreover, Covid 19 devastates everything including learning and teaching activities. In Indonesia alike, online learning is becoming necessary for both students and teachers. However, many students especially in remote places spread all over the republic could not access this type of learning easily. Many factors make this situation worse. But network availability is the number one reason for this situation.
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